Fostering Improved Child and Maternal Health Practices Amongst Slum-Based Mothers Through Creative, Vocational and Aspirational Adult Education Courses

Tiny Totos is building a network of affordable, stimulating and safe daycares in slums by training informal entrepreneurs to provide better care for under-3s. Our coaching programmes have succeeded in teaching applied business skills, to create financially independent, standard-setting daycares improving children's health and developmental indicators. We however recognize that to sustain improvements in children's' lives, improved practices must be reinforced at home. Through daycares partners' desire to embed change beyond their doors and facilitate their work, clients are exposed to best childcare methods, reinforced by edu-texts, chats at drop off and pick up, lectures at monthly parent meetings. We have seen how receptive working mothers are to information delivered in a supportive, convenient space where they are valued, heard and supported. Clearly, whatever circumstances contributed to their lack of formal education, unskilled working mothers are keen for self-improvement. However to truly effect lasting behavioural change that improves the lives of mothers and children, a more concerted intervention which positions mothers as active buyers of tailored knowledge content not passive, ad hoc recipients, with knowledge acquisition representing clear social value. Having designed a successful adult education programme in daycare management, Tiny Totos intends to design a series of courses tailored to meet working mothers' interests and reinforce best care practices.