Rachel W. Kamau-Kang'etheWanjohi GithinjiNgari, Catherine M.2024-06-052024-06-052023-11https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/28249A Research Project Submitted In Fulfilment Of The Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Education (Early Childhood Studies) in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning of Kenyatta University, November, 2023.The purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of Grants and the development of carly childhood programs in Meru South Sub County, Tharaka Nithi County. This study was therefore carried out as an evaluation that was aimed at cstablishing whether Grants had an impact on the development of physical facilities, the provision of instructional and plays materials, and the terms of service and motivation of ECDE teachers in Meru South Sub County, Tharaka Nithi County. The study was guided by system theory of organization development. This study employed a descriptive survey design. The study’s target population was all the ECDE teachers, head teachers and county ECDE officers within Meru South Sub County. Stratified random sampling was used to sample 36 ECDE centers from the six zones in the Sub County. A total of 49 ECDE teachers, 34 school head teachers and 3 county ECDE officers participated in this study.This study relied on both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data was collected through questionnaires and an observation checklist. The researcher used the "drop and pick" method in collecting the data from the respondents. The secondary data was collected from archival data that was obtained from the county ECDE office in Meru South sub-county registers and ECDE statistical return books. Before the actual data collection, the questionnaires were piloted on a selected sample similar to that of the study in order to ensure the validity of the instruments. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Quantitative data from close-ended items were descriptively analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 26.0). Descriptive statistics played a significant role in the presentation and interpretation of the analysed data. The analysed quantitative data were presented using figures and tables.Qualitative data on the other hand was analysed by organizing data with similar content into sub-themes and themes as per the objectives of the study. Findings revealed that the amount of Grants received by the ECDE centres was inadequate to cater for many demanding activities that require finances. Classrooms were still in bad conditions in more than half of the ECDE centres under the study. However, there was an improvement in projects such as construction of new classrooms, repair of floors, sitting facilities and classroom renovations after the implementation of Grants funding. It was observed that sanitation facilities such as toilets/latrines for the children were in bad state in most ECDE centres under study. Teaching and learning materials were adequate because Grants fund was sufficiently utilized for their purchase. However, play materials were not adequate while some were totally missing in more than half of the ECDE centres. The major impediments to Grants funding include limited funds, high increasing number of children, random location of ECDE centres, lack of sensitization, lack of quality monitoring, poor catering of feeder schools and unclear policies. The study concluded that the disbursed funds were inadequate and were not released on time to the schools. The study recommended that the Kenyan government should make sure that the ECDE centers receive the Grants in a sufficient amount of time.enPublic Support GrantsInfluenceDevelopment of Early Childhood ProgrammesTharaka Nithi CountyKenyaThesis