ChildFund, together with the governments of Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Sierra Leone, alongside the LEGO Foundation and UNICEF, has launched a USD 15.3 million program designed specifically for Sierra Leone’s youngest learners. The initiative, which is a partnership with the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), aims to expand access to quality Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for children aged 3–5 in the country’s most remote communities.
The program, locally known as “Salone Pikin 4 Play en Lan (SPPL),” will support the renovation and construction of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers in 87 communities nationwide, strengthening foundations for learning long before children enter primary school.
At the official launch, President Julius Maada Bio stressed the importance of investing early in children’s development, describing the initiative as “a program that is entirely and purposely built for children,” and reaffirming his government’s full support.
In Sierra Leone, the early years of a child’s life are increasingly recognized as the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. Over the past few years, the Government of Sierra Leone has taken bold steps to strengthen the education sector, including the introduction of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) initiative, the Radical Inclusion Policy, and a new Education Sector Plan. These reforms have helped bring more children back into school and reshaped the national curriculum around the 5Cs —Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Computational Thinking, Creative Thinking, and Civic Education.
Yet, for many of the country’s youngest children, access to quality learning still begins too late.
Recent studies by the University of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, and UNICEF reveal that 76 percent of children aged 3–5 are not enrolled in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). Many more lag behind in key developmental milestones, particularly in rural and underserved communities. In some centers, classrooms lack trained teachers, play-based learning methods, and gender-sensitive environments—critical ingredients for children to thrive in their earliest years.
The SPPL is unique with its strong community-based approach. The program emphasizes the use of locally sourced materials and community ownership to ensure that ECCE services are relevant, inclusive, and sustainable.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the launch, Victor Kamara, ChildFund Country Director, highlighted the power of this approach:
“A strong education system begins in the community. This program is more community-driven, which means it will be owned, protected, and sustained by the communities themselves.”
ChildFund Country Director, Victor Kamara, speaking during the panel discussion.
Through SPPL, ChildFund will refurbish and open 43 Early Childhood Development centers across five districts, including Koinadugu, Bombali, Karene, Kambia, and Port Loko, reaching children living in poverty and isolation, where education services are often limited or unavailable.
Focus on Foundational Learning
Beyond expanding access to ECCE, the program places a strong focus on foundational learning, including early numeracy, social skills, and child retention. These early gains are critical for children’s success throughout their education journey.
UNICEF Sierra Leone Country Representative Rudolph Schwenk stressed the importance of targeting children at this stage:
“We are particularly encouraged to see foundational learning at the heart of this initiative, especially during the most important years of a child’s development and realization of their right to learn.”
The Education Outcomes Fund also underscored the collaborative nature of the initiative, describing SPPL as a shared commitment among partners to deliver measurable improvements in early learning outcomes.
Running over the next three years, the SPPL represents a major investment in Sierra Leone’s future, one that starts with its youngest citizens. For ChildFund, the program reflects a long-term commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of where they are born, is given a fair start in life through play, learning, and care.