We focus on transforming the quality of life of young children and their families; building strong institutions, leaders and professionals; and contributing to networks, research and policy. Through the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme, over 10,000 children, 50 percent of them girls, benefit from support to 81 community-based preschools in Zanzibar. In total, a million children in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda have attended the programme over the last 40 years.

In 2014, AKF and the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme in Zanzibar embarked on a partnership to deliver professional development to 900 teachers across 400 preschools, while assisting the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to mainstream the community-based preschooling approach. Professional development courses are also delivered to frontline health workers. These enable them to help parents and caregivers offer the best support for children under three.

AKF has established sustainable satellite schools to improve access to and quality of early childhood education in underserved communities.

The Foundation promotes a deeper understanding of the importance of ECD amongst parents, caregivers and other community members to create demand for quality ECD services. In Zanzibar there is a particular focus on increasing access to and quality of service for children living with disabilities.

In addition, AKES, Tanzania operates a nursery school in Dar es Salaam as part of a whole school system following the International Baccalaureate (IB) Early Years Curriculum. The school provides quality educational experiences within learning spaces that are contextually relevant, promote best practice and integrate families. Children experience a holistic curriculum that uses their interests to build skills and knowledge to promote lifelong learning.