Childcare and Early Childhood Development Basics
Learn how young children grow, how to keep them safe and healthy, and how to guide them kindly.
Taught by Zalika Africa Faculty · Updated 30 Sep 2026
What you will learn
- Describe general developmental milestones from birth to five years, and explain why children differ
- Use play, talking and reading to support a child's learning
- Put a baby to sleep safely and change a nappy hygienically
- Childproof a home and supervise children safely near water
- Recognise signs that a child is unwell and know when to get urgent help
- Use positive guidance and routines instead of hitting, shaking or shouting
- Explain your duty to protect children and how to report concerns, including Childline Kenya 116
Course content
3 modules · 9 lessons · 1h 44m
1. Understanding Children3 lessons
- How young children grow: milestones from birth to fivePreview11m
- The power of play10m
- Talking, reading and how children learn11m
- Quiz: Understanding Children5 questions
2. Safe and Healthy Care3 lessons
- Safe sleep, hygiene and nappy changing12m
- Feeding and nutrition basics11m
- Childproofing, water safety and when a child is unwell13m
- Quiz: Safe and Healthy Care5 questions
3. Positive Guidance and Professionalism3 lessons
- Positive discipline and routines12m
- Working professionally with parents11m
- Child protection: recognising and reporting abuse13m
- Quiz: Positive Guidance and Professionalism5 questions
About this course
This course is for people who look after babies and young children, or who want to. It suits aspiring nannies and childcare assistants, parents and guardians, relatives who help at home, and domestic workers who will care for children in Kenya or abroad. You do not need any previous experience.
You will learn how children grow and learn from birth to five years, and why play, talking and reading matter so much. You will learn the basics of safe sleep, hygiene and nappy changing, feeding, childproofing the home and supervision near water. You will learn how to recognise a child who is unwell and when to get urgent medical help. You will also practise positive guidance without hitting, shaking or shouting, work professionally with parents, and understand how to recognise and report child abuse.
Families and employers look for caregivers who are warm, reliable and safety-conscious. This course builds those habits. It is an introduction. It does not replace a first-aid course, advice from a doctor or nurse, or the instructions of the child's parents. It does not promise a job or a visa. Children differ, and the ages in this course are only a general guide.
What you need
- A phone, tablet or computer with internet access
- Basic English reading skills
- No previous childcare experience is needed
Who this is for
- People who want to work as nannies or childcare assistants
- Parents, guardians and relatives who care for young children
- Domestic workers who will care for children in Kenya or abroad
- Early childhood and nursery helpers who want to refresh the basics
Your certificate
Complete every lesson and pass the assessments with 70% or more to earn a Zalika Africa certificate of completion with a QR code employers can verify online. The certificate costs KES 1,000, paid only once you have finished.
Your instructor
Zalika Africa Faculty
Teaching team, Zalika Africa Institute
Courses from the Zalika Africa Institute teaching team — the trainers behind our on-campus caregiver, home-management and housekeeping programmes in Westlands, Nairobi.
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