Ready To Learn

Tackling the early years education crisis together

Think about a young child you’ve spent time with. The endless stream of “why?” questions as they make sense of the world. The elation when they learn a new word or master a new skill. These are signs of a brain developing at an extraordinary pace.

Did you know 90% of brain development happens before a child even starts school? 

Unfortunately, millions of children are missing out on the support they need during these vital early years. Around half of all pre-primary-aged children are not enrolled in any form of early education. 

This is why Theirworld created Ready to Learn: a cohort of organisations working together to improve early childhood development.

We know that every community has organisations with the ideas, commitment and local knowledge to transform children’s lives. Usually, all they need is the funding, expertise and strategic support to put their solutions into practice. 

Proper nutrition gives children the focus and energy they need to learn.

About the first cohort  

Ready to Learn’s first cohort brings together five organisations working across Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Lebanon and India to improve early childhood development in their communities. 

Together, Book Dash, Chance for Childhood, Ladles of Love, SKILD and Dost Education are delivering practical solutions tailored to local needs while sharing knowledge, testing ideas and learning from one another. 

The aim is to reach 30,000 children, parents, caregivers and educators, while creating practical approaches that can be adapted and expanded far beyond the communities where they began. 

Programme priorities

Inclusive education 
Parent and caregiver support 
Health and nutrition 
Pre-literacy, literacy and school readiness

Each partner leads workshops in their area of expertise, giving the wider cohort practical tools, resources and evidence that can be adapted to different countries and contexts. Organisations are paired to address challenges together, while a Ready to Learn resource library captures learning that can continue benefiting partners long after the programme ends. 

Explore the projects  

Book Dash

Book Dash helps more children develop a love of reading by creating high-quality, open-licensed storybooks that every child can access and enjoy. Through Ready to Learn, the organisation ensures underserved communities access more books, with characters who represent the diverse backgrounds of young readers. 

Chance for Childhood

Chance for Childhood aims to identify disabilities and learning difficulties in children sooner, so they can receive the support they need to thrive. Through Ready to Learn, the project promotes inclusive education by sharing tools, expertise and innovative approaches to help early screening and intervention.  

A child learning through play at one of the partner schools in Uganda

Ladles of Love

Ladles of Love tackles one of the biggest barriers to learning: hunger. By combining nutritious meals with early childhood development support, the organisation helps children arrive at school healthy and ready to learn.  

Children enjoying hot meals from the Ladles of Love’s kitchen.

SKILD

SKILD equips teachers and caregivers with practical, accessible tools to better support children’s mental health, wellbeing and diverse learning needs. Through the Well-being Hub, it is helping build more inclusive learning environments.  

Joelle, a therapist from the project

Dost Education

Dost Education empowers parents and caregivers to better teach children. Working alongside the Government of Andhra Pradesh, it promotes the importance of early learning among families and provides practical guidance on how to turn everyday moments into key learning opportunities.