Ensuring girls and boys have a good start in life by influencing the contexts and environments in which they are growing
The brain develops most rapidly in the first five years of a child’s life. Yet, worldwide, 250 million children are not reaching their potential during these years. In 2015, an estimated six million children died before reaching age five, mostly as a result of diseases that are readily and affordably preventable and treatable. In developing countries, hundreds of millions of children do not have access to pre-school; they live in areas affected by armed conflict and climate-related disasters; and their growth is stunted, which harms their brain development.
The Aga Khan Foundation works to ensure that girls and boys have a good start in life by influencing the environments in which they are growing. Globally, our Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiatives provide 750,000 children ages 0 to 8 years with nurturing, relevant, and quality learning opportunities at costs that are affordable for governments, families, and communities.
Our goals
![DSC_0048 A Kenyan woman holds two babies in a classroom.](https://www.akfusa.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC_0048-1-1333x1333.jpg)
Improved access to quality services
Making it easier for families to access the best care, backed by the latest research
![45673822744_9cd81fe00e_c a grandfather and granddaughter sit with a teacher showing them a book.](https://www.akfusa.org/wp-content/uploads/45673822744_9cd81fe00e_c-533x533.jpg)
Enhanced family and community support
Strengthening existing networks to ensure children and communities are well resourced and supported
![Jomok Kindergarten, Osh Children wave from the doorway of their traditional-style Kyrgyz classroom building.](https://www.akfusa.org/wp-content/uploads/49644406586_2fc37f2875_o-1667x1667.jpg)
Strengthened human resources and institutions
Our impact
children (ages 0 to 6) benefit from AKF’s early childhood programs
teachers, health workers, and facilitators benefit from AKF’s early childhood programs
people who have completed AKDN’s Science of ECD course