Every Child. Every Opportunity. Every Future.
Nurturing Potential. Inspiring Curiosity. Building Tomorrow’s Possibilities.
Every child is born with possibilities waiting to be discovered.
A future scientist may begin by asking questions about the world. A young innovator may discover a passion for solving everyday problems. A future leader may first find the confidence to speak, collaborate or stand up for what is right.
These possibilities deserve the opportunity to grow.
At ChangePoint Advancement Initiative for Development (C-PAID), we believe that childhood should be a period of discovery, learning, creativity, confidence and positive development.
CHILDFIRST is C-PAID’s flagship inclusive child development initiative, created to nurture the potential of boys and girls from all backgrounds through meaningful educational, creative, social and developmental opportunities.
Through engaging learning experiences, science and technology exploration, creative expression, mentorship, leadership development and essential life skills, CHILDFIRST seeks to help children discover their strengths and build foundations for a fulfilling future.
Our approach recognises that children are not simply future adults. They are individuals with abilities, interests, perspectives and rights that deserve recognition today.
We want every child who participates in CHILDFIRST to have opportunities to explore what interests them, develop confidence in their abilities and imagine what they can become.
When children are given opportunities to explore what they can do, they begin to discover who they can become.
Children learn and develop through experiences that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration and allow them to discover their abilities.
Formal schooling plays an essential role in this process, but children’s development also depends on opportunities beyond the classroom. Creative activities, scientific exploration, teamwork, recreation, problem-solving and positive relationships all contribute to the development of important capabilities.
Across Nigeria, opportunities for these experiences vary considerably.
Some children have access to well-equipped schools, enrichment programmes, libraries, technology and extracurricular activities. Others have limited opportunities to explore their interests or develop skills beyond the standard curriculum.
Even where children attend school regularly, structured opportunities for creativity, innovation, practical problem-solving and personal development may be limited.
CHILDFIRST is built on the belief that every child should have opportunities for meaningful enrichment, irrespective of family income, school type, gender, disability or social background.
Our purpose is not to replace formal education. It is to complement learning by creating engaging experiences that develop curiosity, confidence, creativity, critical thinking and essential skills.
We believe children benefit when they are encouraged not only to memorise information, but also to ask questions, test ideas, communicate, collaborate and discover their strengths.
Nigeria’s child population represents an enormous opportunity for long-term human capital development. However, gaps in foundational learning demonstrate why sustained investment in quality learning experiences and children’s capabilities remains essential. These are national contextual statistics, not C-PAID programme results.
We envision a society where children, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances, have meaningful opportunities to learn, explore, create and develop the capabilities needed to realise their potential.
To advance inclusive child development through enriching educational experiences, creativity, STEM learning, digital literacy, leadership development, wellbeing and life skills that help children grow into confident, capable and responsible individuals.
Children have different strengths, interests and developmental needs. A child who enjoys scientific discovery may need different opportunities from one who expresses ideas through art, storytelling or leadership.
CHILDFIRST is therefore designed around five complementary learning and development pathways, creating opportunities for children to explore different interests while developing essential capabilities.
Curious Minds. Strong Foundations.
See the pathway ↓Imagine. Experiment. Innovate.
See the pathway ↓Every Child Has Something Worth Expressing.
See the pathway ↓Building Confidence. Developing Character. Inspiring Responsibility.
See the pathway ↓Healthy Development. Positive Experiences. Stronger Futures.
See the pathway ↓Curious Minds. Strong Foundations.
Learning Enrichment, Literacy and Academic Confidence
Learning should inspire discovery, curiosity and the confidence to explore new ideas.
CHILDFIRST LEARN supports children’s educational development through engaging activities that complement formal learning and strengthen foundational knowledge.
The pathway will prioritise interactive learning experiences that promote literacy, numeracy, reading culture, communication and independent thinking.
Rather than simply repeat classroom instruction, CHILDFIRST LEARN seeks to make learning enjoyable, participatory and relevant to children’s everyday experiences.
Children who demonstrate stronger engagement with learning, improved foundational capabilities where assessed and greater confidence in exploring educational opportunities.
Imagine. Experiment. Innovate.
STEM, Technology and Scientific Discovery
The future will require individuals who can think critically, understand technology, solve problems and adapt to emerging opportunities.
CHILDFIRST DISCOVER introduces children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through engaging, age-appropriate and practical experiences.
We want children to see STEM not simply as school subjects, but as tools for understanding the world, asking questions, discovering possibilities and developing solutions.
Activities will encourage experimentation, creativity, teamwork and practical application.
Children with increased interest in STEM, improved problem-solving confidence and greater awareness of opportunities in science, technology and innovation.
Every Child Has Something Worth Expressing.
Creativity, Arts, Expression and Innovation
Creativity is an essential part of childhood development. Through creative expression, children explore ideas, communicate emotions, develop confidence and learn to see possibilities from different perspectives.
CHILDFIRST CREATE provides opportunities for children to discover and develop their creative interests through arts, storytelling, performance, design and imaginative activities.
The pathway recognises that creativity is valuable in its own right and also contributes to communication, collaboration, problem-solving and innovation.
Children with greater opportunities for creative expression, improved communication confidence and stronger appreciation of their individual talents.
Building Confidence. Developing Character. Inspiring Responsibility.
Leadership, Character Development and Life Skills
Leadership begins long before adulthood. Children develop leadership capabilities when they learn to express themselves, take responsibility, collaborate with others and make thoughtful decisions.
CHILDFIRST LEAD seeks to nurture confidence, empathy, integrity, communication and a sense of responsibility through age-appropriate learning and participation.
The pathway encourages children to understand their strengths, respect others and recognise that their actions can contribute positively to their schools, families and communities.
Children with improved confidence, communication and teamwork capabilities, together with stronger awareness of personal and community responsibility.
Healthy Development. Positive Experiences. Stronger Futures.
Wellbeing, Recreation and Future Readiness
Children need supportive environments that encourage physical activity, emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships and a balanced approach to development.
CHILDFIRST THRIVE focuses on positive childhood experiences, wellbeing awareness, recreation and essential capabilities that support children as they grow.
The pathway seeks to promote age-appropriate health knowledge, positive relationships, confidence and awareness of personal safety through engaging and supportive activities.
Children with increased wellbeing awareness, stronger social capabilities and improved confidence in navigating everyday experiences and future opportunities.
CHILDFIRST is designed to bring development opportunities to life through engaging, age-appropriate experiences.
Depending on funding, partnerships and programme location, the initiative may deliver the following activities.
School-based or community-based clubs where children explore STEM, literacy, creative activities, leadership and practical problem-solving.
Structured holiday learning experiences combining creative workshops, science exploration, reading, life skills, recreation and teamwork.
Age-appropriate competitions encouraging children to identify problems, explore ideas and develop creative or practical solutions.
Reading clubs, literary challenges, storytelling experiences, author engagements and activities designed to develop a lasting interest in books and learning.
Opportunities for children to present artistic, literary, musical or creative work and celebrate their different talents.
Career discovery experiences, mentoring sessions, educational visits and interactions with professionals from different fields.
Accessible community-based activities bringing educational enrichment, creativity and discovery opportunities closer to children and families.
Our programmes will be designed to make learning engaging, participatory and appropriate for children’s different developmental stages.
CHILDFIRST is designed for boys and girls from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
The programme welcomes the principle that children from different communities, family circumstances, schools and experiences should have opportunities to learn together, discover common interests and develop mutual respect.
Our proposed primary audience includes children approximately 5 to 17 years old, with age-appropriate activities and learning arrangements for different stages of development. Specific interventions may serve narrower age groups according to their educational objectives, safeguarding requirements and delivery format.
We aim to promote equitable participation and accessible learning experiences while recognising that some children may require additional support to participate meaningfully.
CHILDFIRST is not restricted to disadvantaged children. However, inclusive participation may require targeted outreach, scholarships or sponsored places to ensure that cost and other barriers do not exclude children who would otherwise benefit.
Our goal is to bring children together through shared opportunities for learning, creativity and development while respecting their individual needs and circumstances.
Our commitment to inclusion. Programme design will consider:
We believe children learn most effectively when they feel safe, engaged, respected and encouraged to participate.
CHILDFIRST will therefore prioritise learning experiences that are interactive, age-appropriate and responsive to children’s abilities and interests. Children’s wellbeing, privacy and safety will remain central to programme design and delivery.
We aim to identify relevant age groups, learning priorities and community needs through engagement with educators, parents, specialists and other stakeholders.
Activities will be structured to encourage participation, exploration, teamwork and practical learning rather than relying entirely on passive instruction.
We will seek collaboration with schools, educators, specialists, creative professionals, technology organisations and community institutions to strengthen the quality of learning experiences.
Children will be supported to engage with activities, express ideas, test solutions and learn through both individual and collaborative experiences.
Programme monitoring will consider participation, child and parent feedback, demonstrated learning where appropriate and the relevance of activities to developmental objectives.
Children can learn, explore and thrive only when their safety, dignity and wellbeing are protected.
At C-PAID, we recognise that programmes involving children require strong safeguarding standards, appropriate supervision and clear accountability. CHILDFIRST will be designed around the best interests of the child, age-appropriate participation, inclusion and respect for children’s rights.
Our safeguarding framework will address:
Appropriate screening, role definitions, training and supervision arrangements for personnel, facilitators and volunteers who work with children.
Clear protocols for preventing, identifying, reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns, with referrals to competent authorities or specialist services where appropriate.
Appropriate consent, communication and participation arrangements for parents and legal guardians, taking account of the child’s age and applicable requirements.
Suitable venues, appropriate supervision, accessibility considerations and risk assessments for activities, excursions and events.
Responsible use of technology, appropriate digital content, awareness of online risks and safeguards for virtual or technology-based learning activities.
Protection of children’s personal information, careful handling of photographs and media, and avoidance of publicity that compromises a child’s dignity, safety or privacy.
Safeguarding measures will be integrated into programme planning, delivery, monitoring and partnership arrangements.
The world children are growing into is changing rapidly.
Technology, evolving industries, new forms of communication and emerging environmental and social challenges are reshaping the skills needed to learn, work and participate in society.
While no programme can predict every future opportunity, children can be supported to develop capabilities that help them adapt, think independently and respond constructively to change.
CHILDFIRST therefore emphasises foundational learning alongside creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, digital awareness and responsible citizenship.
We believe children should be encouraged to become active learners who ask questions, explore possibilities and apply knowledge to real situations.
By complementing classroom education with practical and creative experiences, CHILDFIRST seeks to contribute to a generation of children who are curious, confident, thoughtful and prepared to keep learning throughout their lives.
CHILDFIRST will aim to measure progress through clearly defined developmental and learning outcomes rather than treating attendance alone as evidence of success.
Children demonstrate increased interest, participation and confidence in educational enrichment activities.
Participants strengthen relevant literacy, numeracy, communication or problem-solving skills where these are assessed through appropriate methods.
Children demonstrate curiosity, confidence and engagement with science, technology and practical discovery.
Participants gain opportunities to explore their talents, express ideas and develop creative capabilities.
Children demonstrate progress in communication, teamwork, responsibility and appropriate decision-making.
Children develop greater awareness of healthy habits, personal safety, positive relationships and appropriate support.
Children from different backgrounds have opportunities to participate meaningfully in shared learning and development activities.
We will seek to monitor programme quality, participation, learning experiences, beneficiary feedback and relevant outcomes using age-appropriate, ethical and proportionate methods.
The value of a child development programme should not end when a workshop, camp or competition concludes.
CHILDFIRST seeks to encourage lasting curiosity, positive learning habits, transferable skills and continued exploration of interests.
Our sustainability approach includes:
Working with institutions capable of supporting learning activities and continuity.
Strengthening the capabilities of educators and programme facilitators through appropriate training and learning resources.
Encouraging structures that enable children to continue participating in educational and creative activities.
Developing practical materials and activities that can be adapted and used across different settings.
Encouraging supportive involvement in children’s learning and development.
Collaborating with partners interested in sustained investment in education, STEM, creativity and child development.
Using evidence and feedback to refine interventions and support responsible expansion.
We want children to leave CHILDFIRST experiences not only with memories of what they did, but with greater curiosity about what they can continue to learn and achieve.
CHILDFIRST’s objectives are relevant to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Supporting inclusive learning, foundational capabilities and educational enrichment.
Promoting age-appropriate health awareness, recreation, wellbeing and positive developmental experiences.
Providing boys and girls with equitable opportunities to develop capabilities, explore interests and participate in learning.
Encouraging inclusive access to meaningful developmental opportunities across socioeconomic backgrounds.
Mobilising schools, institutions, corporate organisations and community stakeholders to support child development.
CHILDFIRST’s contribution to these goals will be assessed through appropriate programme indicators and verified implementation results.
Every child has abilities worth nurturing. What differs is the extent to which children can access experiences that help them discover and develop those abilities.
Creating these opportunities requires purposeful collaboration among educators, development organisations, families, businesses, professionals and communities.
CHILDFIRST offers a platform for institutions seeking to support inclusive child development, educational enrichment, STEM participation, creativity, leadership and future-ready capabilities in Nigeria.
We welcome partnerships with educational institutions, publishers, technology companies, scientific organisations, creative industry professionals, foundations, corporate organisations, development agencies and community organisations.
Support reading initiatives, STEM workshops, leadership activities, creative learning and community-based enrichment programmes.
Provide appropriate technical expertise, educational resources, devices, learning tools or access to supervised technology experiences.
Collaborate on structured holiday programmes combining practical learning, creativity, life skills, exploration and recreation.
Support access to books, reading clubs, libraries, storytelling activities and literary development initiatives.
Provide expertise, materials or sponsorship for arts programmes, discovery activities, innovation challenges and children’s exhibitions.
Sponsor participation for children who may otherwise encounter financial, geographic or accessibility barriers.
Engage appropriately vetted educators, scientists, engineers, authors, creatives and other professionals in mentoring and learning activities.
Collaborate on educational needs assessments, child development research, programme design and suitable learning outcome measurement.
CHILDFIRST combines universal access principles with a focused emphasis on educational enrichment and future-ready capabilities.
Its modular design allows partners to support clearly defined interventions while contributing to a broader child development framework.
The initiative can accommodate partnerships across education, STEM, creative industries, publishing, technology, recreation and community development.
We aim to establish partnerships with transparent objectives, appropriate safeguarding arrangements, defined responsibilities and measurable programme outcomes.
A book can inspire curiosity. A science experiment can encourage a child to ask new questions. A creative workshop can reveal an unexpected talent. A positive mentor can help a child believe in their abilities.
CHILDFIRST seeks to create more of these opportunities through engaging educational and developmental experiences.
Your support can contribute to learning resources, educational activities, STEM materials, creative workshops, mentorship, inclusive participation and child-safe programme delivery.
Whether you are an individual, business, educational institution or development partner, there are opportunities to contribute to the programme’s objectives.
CHILDFIRST is C-PAID’s inclusive child development initiative, designed to provide boys and girls from different backgrounds with opportunities for learning, STEM exploration, creativity, leadership, wellbeing and future-ready skills.
No. CHILDFIRST is designed for children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Its objective is universal child development and educational enrichment. C-PAID’s STREET TO FUTURE programme separately focuses on targeted support for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
The proposed primary age range is approximately 5 to 17 years. Individual activities will specify age requirements and group children appropriately for their developmental stages.
Yes. CHILDFIRST DISCOVER is designed to provide age-appropriate opportunities for STEM exploration, digital literacy, introductory coding, scientific discovery and innovation.
Yes. CHILDFIRST is designed for boys and girls. Participation will be subject to the requirements of specific activities, with a commitment to equitable and inclusive opportunities.
No. CHILDFIRST is an educational enrichment and child development initiative. It is not presented as a replacement for formal schooling or an accredited educational institution.
Holiday academies, learning clubs, innovation challenges, reading activities and creative showcases form part of the proposed programme model. Specific events will depend on available funding, partnerships and implementation arrangements.
Yes. Schools and educational institutions may explore opportunities to host or collaborate on learning clubs, STEM activities, reading programmes, creative workshops and other approved initiatives.
CHILDFIRST is intended to operate under appropriate safeguarding, supervision, child protection, parental consent and privacy procedures. These arrangements will be established according to the nature of each activity and relevant legal requirements.
Registration and eligibility information will be published when specific activities are open. Parents and guardians may contact C-PAID for information on announced opportunities.
Yes. C-PAID welcomes discussions with potential partners interested in sponsoring specific educational, STEM, creative, leadership or child development interventions.
Children deserve opportunities to discover what interests them, explore their abilities and develop the confidence to imagine what their futures could hold.
CHILDFIRST represents C-PAID’s commitment to creating inclusive learning and developmental experiences that nurture curiosity, strengthen capabilities and celebrate children’s potential.
Together, we can help more children learn, create, discover and thrive.
