Profiling ECD and related data systems and key lessons in Kenya and across Sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol of a scoping review

IntroductionHolistic child growth and development require a nurturing environment that enhances the well-being of the child in all aspects of their life (health, growth, development). However, there is currently a lack of aggregated information and data on how children thrive across the five domains of the nurturing care framework (NCF), especially in communities facing multiple vulnerabilities or adversities. This scoping review aims to profile existing ECD and related data systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a particular focus on Kenyas ECD data systems and an even deeper profiling in three counties (Nairobi, Isiolo and Homa Bay). This paper describes the protocol of the scoping review. MethodsThis scoping review protocol follows guidelines by Levac et al. (Levac et al., 2010) and builds on the scoping review framework proposed by Arksey and OMalley (Arksey & and OMalley, 2005). This review is expected to begin in October 2025. The study team will search peer-reviewed literature from databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, African Journals Online (AJOL), Scopus, APA PsycINFO, and PsycNet, covering the period from October 2015 to September 2025. A grey literature search will also be conducted using platforms such as Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and national and sub-national websites and reports. The search will be performed using a list of search terms that are expected to generate relevant literature. Relevant literature will be reviewed, and data will be extracted. Relevant information will be organised into study characteristics and key details, including the types of ECD and related data systems and platforms, which ECD indicators they used and their sources, which other systems they were linked to, which stakeholders were involved, and the lessons and experiences, including what worked and the challenges, will be highlighted. Ethics and disseminationNo ethical approvals are required for this scoping review because the data will be gathered from existing published literature, and no new data will be collected. Nevertheless, the project within which the scoping review is part received ethics approval from AMREF and NACOSTI in Kenya. The findings of the review will be used to plan the subsequent phases of our project and shared with stakeholders through workshops, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and conferences. Protocol RegistrationThis protocol has been registered at OSF on 4th April 2025. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HT24X