Theirworld opens 12 early learning centres in Gaza as new report reveals early childhood development crisis
Safe schools
New Theirworld report reveals nearly a quarter of Gaza's population is facing early childhood development challenges, as a low-cost, locally led model brings early learning and hope back to hundreds of preschool children for less than £1 per child per day.
04 AUGUST 2026, LONDON: Global children’s charity Theirworld has opened 12 temporary early learning centres across two locations in Gaza in response to the severe early childhood development crisis affecting the region’s youngest children.
The centres open alongside the publication of Theirworld’s report, ‘Early Childhood Development in Gaza: A Blueprint and Urgent Call for Action,’ which warns that nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population are facing early childhood development-related challenges.
Around 175,000 preschool-aged children are growing up without the nutrition, care, safety and early learning opportunities they need during the first five years of life – a period when 90% of brain development takes place. The impact is already becoming clear, with the report citing UN estimates that human development in Gaza has been set back 77 years.
"At a time when families are focused on survival, spending part of the day singing songs, drawing pictures or listening to stories is far from being a luxury. Early years support is one of the highest-impact investments we can make to help children through crisis. The window for intervention is closing, and failure to act now risks the future of an entire generation." Sarah Brown, Chair of Theirworld
12 temporary centres restore early learning, play, routine and hope
The centres will initially support around 700 children aged three to five, providing preschool education, psychosocial support and structured play during the most critical years of their development.
For many children, it is the first opportunity since the war began to learn alongside other children, follow a daily routine and simply play. The impact is already being seen.
Five-year-old Kawthar’s family was repeatedly displaced during the war. She became malnourished and struggled to sleep because she was terrified by the bombing and fearful that something would happen to her family. Within weeks of enrolling at one of the new centres, the benefits were clear.
Her mother, Haneen Hijazi, said: “When Kawthar started attending the kindergarten, her personality changed. During that first month, her psychological well-being improved. She became more active and started playing. She became more confident and started doing things independently at home. She now enjoys colouring, drawing and writing.”
Like Kawthar’s family, other families are seeing positive changes in their children’s emotional wellbeing, social and developmental skills, alongside early literacy and numeracy.
Ahmed Mahmoud, Educational Supervisor at one of the early learning centres, said: “Parents tell us it is not just that their child now knows the number one and the number two. They also tell us their child’s confidence has grown.”
A low-cost model with high impact
The project, which is delivered in partnership with the Palestinian Early Childhood Education Program, demonstrates that high-quality early years support can be delivered quickly and affordably, even in some of the world’s most challenging humanitarian settings. A temporary learning centre can be established for approximately £10,000, with quality early childhood care provided for less than £1 per child per day.
With hundreds more children already on a waiting list for places, Theirworld has launched a public appeal to help expand the programme, bringing early learning, care, support and hope to more young children affected by conflict.
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ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Darika Ahrens
Director of Communications
Darika@theirworld.org
marcomms@theirworld.org
Notes to Editors:
Theirworld’s report, Early Childhood Development in Gaza: A Blueprint and Urgent Call for Action, estimates that more than 504,000 pregnant and lactating women and children under six in Gaza are facing early childhood development-related challenges. Together, they represent nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population. The original report, issued in 2025, has been updated, drawing on the latest available humanitarian data and outlining 20 priority areas for action to support the healthy development of young children in Gaza.
The report highlights that
- 58,000 children have lost one or both parents and more are unaccompanied or separated from their parents
- 70,000 children have been left without access to kindergartens after the war has decimated educational infrastructure
- 100% of children need mental health and psychosocial support, demonstrating an urgent mental health crisis in Gaza.
About Theirworld
Theirworld is a global children’s charity committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation. Its mission is to ensure that every child has the best start in life, a safe place to learn and the skills they need for the future. www.theirworld.org
This project is one of several initiatives Theirworld is supporting across the Middle East. The initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support of the El-Erian Family Foundation. You can learn more about our work in the region here.
About the Palestinian Early Childhood Education Program
This initiative is delivered in partnership with the Palestinian Early Childhood Education Program, a long-running non-profit organisation founded in Gaza in 1970 to support kindergartens, young children, and local educators.
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