Youth Leaders for Early Childhood Assuring Children are Prepared for School (LEAPS) is a youth led early childhood care and education (ECCE) program, which trains youth aged 18-24 years old as early childhood educators to deliver quality ECCE programming for young children in rural communities, utilizing a gender-equitable, inclusive, community-based models.

Only 17% of children in low- and middle-income countries have access to ECCE programs, often more limited among female children, rural communities, and low-socioeconomic status households (Britto et al., 2017). Additionally, there is a shortage of ECCE providers globally. The existing ECCE workforce is frequently underpaid, faces unstable working conditions, and has limited professional development opportunities (Putcha, Bonsu, & Neuman, 2020).

LEAPS is responding by addressing the educational needs of children and closing the ECCE service provision gap with a youth led ECCE workforce, emphasizing training and mentorship to support youth ECCE providers.

Learn more about how LEAPS is being implemented in Pakistan and Colombia.