About Us | Early Learning Educational Services Ltd.

Professor Esther Oduolowu, Founder of ELES

Prof. Esther Oduolowu

Founder, ELES

Our founder

A decade of dedication to Nigeria's children

ELES was founded in 2014 by Professor Esther Oduolowu, a leading authority in Early Childhood Care and Education with over a decade of practice and policy work behind her. Her goal was simple: close the gap between the number of children needing quality care and the number of practitioners trained to give it to them.

Today that mandate has grown into a nationally accredited training centre, a body of published policy work, and a growing community of caregivers, teachers and home-based support workers practising across Nigeria.

Meet Our Team

Vision & mission

Empowering practitioners. Transforming childhoods.

Vision

A Nigeria where every child attains their full potential in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment — with a workforce equipped, in line with the National Policy on ECCDE, to make that possible.

Mission

To develop the whole child without exclusion, and to build a high-quality, well-supported workforce capable of supporting child development and inclusion across the country.

Child-Centred

Every decision starts with the child's wellbeing, safety and development.

Excellence

High standards in delivery, curriculum and outcomes, aligned to national policy.

Inclusion

Diversity and equality prioritised for every child and every practitioner.

Evidence-Based

Research that informs practice and bridges academia with the field.

What we do

Our areas of work

ELES's work spans training, child services, research, consultancy and technology — all in service of strengthening Nigeria's early years ecosystem.

Early Stimulation & Child Care

Nurturing care and early stimulation for children from birth through age five and beyond.

Training & Capacity Building

Training and retraining caregivers, teachers and parents in the skills that raising children well requires.

ECCDE Facility Establishment

Establishing training centres and care facilities focused on inclusion and support.

Research & Policy Development

Research that bridges academia and the field, feeding directly into ECE policy work.

Consultancy Services

Advising stakeholders, development partners, agencies and government parastatals.

ICT Solutions

Using technology to address ECCDE challenges and modernise how learning is delivered.

Our story

A decade of impact

2014

ELES founded in Ibadan

Established by Professor Esther Oduolowu at Old Bodija, Ibadan, with a mandate to professionalise child care and early years education in Nigeria.

2014 - 2026

Consultancy, capacity building & policy

Over twelve years, ELES delivered consultancy, capacity-building programmes and policy development work across the sector.

March 2026

Policy brief & training centre formalised

ELES published its policy brief and formalised training operations — curriculum, staffing, facilities and admissions, all aligned to national ECCDE standards.

May 2026

Official QVSE accreditation

ELES received its approval certificate from QVSE under the National Skill Qualification Framework — Centre No. SWIB0122026.

Present & beyond

Active enrolment, expanding reach

With accreditation secured and all three programmes live, ELES is training the next generation of child care practitioners across Nigeria.

FAQs

Common questions

Everything you need to know about enrolling, training, and certification at ELES.

What is ELES and when was it founded?

Early Learning Educational Services Limited (ELES) is a registered educational company established in 2014 by Professor Esther Oduolowu. Based in Old Bodija, Ibadan, ELES is dedicated to providing early stimulation for children and building the capacity of caregivers, practitioners, parents, and relevant stakeholders across Nigeria.

What is the QVSE and the NSQ Framework?

QVSE (Quality Vocational Skills Empowerment) is a nationally recognised awarding and quality assurance body for vocational training in Nigeria. The NSQ (National Skill Qualification) Framework is the standardised national system for vocational qualifications. ELES's programmes are aligned to the NOS of the NBTE in ECCDE — qualifications are widely recognised by employers across Nigeria.

What are the entry requirements?

Candidates must be at least 18 years old, hold at least a Basic Education Certificate, be medically fit, mentally alert and emotionally stable, and have passed a Criminal Record Check (CRC). Prior experience working with children is an advantage but is not required.

How long is the training programme?

A six-month training period — including Practical Field Experience in an approved ECE setting — is required for any level of the skills acquisition programme. Trainees must also maintain a minimum of 80% attendance throughout the programme for successful completion.

Is there a mandatory induction before training begins?

Yes. The Trainee Initial Induction Exercise is compulsory for all candidates seeking admission to the centre. It must be completed before training formally begins and introduces trainees to the centre, its policies, their course requirements, and programme expectations.

How is training delivered at ELES?

ELES delivers training through four modes: in-person workshops at our Ibadan centre, online module delivery, on-field practical experiences in approved public or private Nursery and Primary Schools, and ongoing membership support. This blended approach ensures practitioners gain both theoretical knowledge and applied real-world skills.

How is assessment carried out?

Assessments are carried out in real workplace environments in approved public or private Nursery and Primary Schools. Methods include: Direct Observation, Question and Answer, Witness Statement, Reflective Practice, Assignment, and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

What is the difference between the three programmes?

Child Care & Learning Development is the broadest, covering all aspects of early years care from birth to age 8. Play Work focuses specifically on play-based pedagogical approaches. Home Base Children Support is for those providing care in home settings — childminders, nannies, and foster carers — addressing the unique contexts of domestic child care.

What is ELES's QVSE centre number and how do I verify it?

ELES's QVSE centre number is SWIB0122026. This can be used to verify our approved status directly with QVSE. Our approval was granted on 1st May 2026, with annual renewal due on 1st May 2027.

Built on a passion for children's futures