Caring for the Youngest: Regulatory Framework for Center-Based Childcare for Children Under Three in Uganda

This report reviews Uganda’s legal, policy, and institutional framework for center-based childcare provision for children under three, providing critical insights for the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises Uganda (GROW) project. Implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, GROW seeks to reduce barriers and increase access to entrepreneurial services to enable women entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises in targeted locations, including host and refugee communities. Key findings include limited access to affordable childcare, particularly for low-income families and informal sector workers, and a lack of comprehensive quality standards, such as on caregiver qualifications, caregiver-to-child ratios, and clear licensing and inspection mechanisms. To address these challenges, the report recommends expanding financial support for families, incentivizing nonstate and employer-supported childcare, and establishing a quality assurance framework with minimum standards for caregiver qualifications, group sizes, and health and safety protocols. Improved institutional coordination and an information management system are also recommended to strengthen oversight and support for childcare providers, ultimately fostering better economic and developmental outcomes.