Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
Pre-primary is where most new private schools begin. Facilities are simpler, classes are smaller, and parents of three- to five-year-olds want a school close to home. But early childhood carries its own rules and its own responsibilities. Here is how to open a pre-primary school properly, and how to grow it into a full CBC primary over time.
On this page
Who regulates pre-primary?
The Constitution of Kenya (Fourth Schedule, Part 2) gives county governments responsibility for pre-primary education and childcare facilities. Registration of basic education institutions still runs through the County Education Board under section 76 of the Basic Education Act. In practice you deal with both the county’s ECDE department (for licensing and inspections) and the CEB (for registration). Visit both offices before you sign a lease. Requirements and fees vary by county.
Premises: what inspectors look for
- Classrooms with good light and ventilation, and child-height furniture.
- Child-sized toilets and handwashing points, with safe drinking water.
- A fenced, safe outdoor play area with no open drains or sharp edges.
- A rest area if children stay the full day.
- A kitchen that meets public health standards if you serve meals.
- Clear exits, a first-aid kit and a fire safety plan.
Staff
Pre-primary teachers should hold ECDE qualifications and be registered with the TSC, which section 50 of the Basic Education Act makes a condition of registering a private school. Support staff (caregivers, cooks and cleaners) should be vetted. A police clearance certificate is a sensible minimum for everyone working with young children.
Curriculum: PP1 and PP2 under CBC
CBC pre-primary covers language, mathematical, environmental, psychomotor and creative, and religious activities, delivered mostly through play. Assessment is by observation, not exams. Parents sometimes push for written tests and homework. A good pre-primary explains why play-based learning builds reading and number readiness, and shows parents progress through observation notes and portfolios.
Start-up budget (rented premises)
- Lease, deposit and renovation: KSh 150,000–500,000.
- Furniture, play equipment and learning materials: KSh 150,000–400,000.
- Toilets, water and handwashing upgrades: KSh 80,000–250,000.
- Registration, licences and inspections: varies by county.
- Website, admission form and fee tracking: KSh 30,000–80,000.
- Working capital for at least three months’ salaries and rent.
See the fuller start-up cost breakdown.
Growing into primary
Plan the site so you can add one grade a year: your PP2 class becomes your Grade 1 next January. Before each step up, check the registration requirements for the new level with the CEB. Our private school guide covers the full process.
Parent communication
Parents of young children expect frequent updates: arrival and pick-up, meals, and what their child did that day. A simple, consistent channel, such as a weekly note, termly observation reports and fee statements, builds trust faster than adverts. Anademy by Ananke Digital offers pre-primary observation report templates, a school website and a parent portal, built to order for small schools. Request a quote.
Questions new owners ask
Can I run a daycare and a pre-primary together? Many do, with babycare for under-threes and PP1–PP2 for older children. Childcare for younger children has its own county requirements, so ask the county about both when you apply.
What class size is reasonable? Young children need close supervision. Keep classes small enough that each teacher, with an assistant where needed, can watch every child during play and meals. County officers will advise on local expectations.
Anademy = Ananke + Academy: school systems by Ananke Digital.