ANC Plus
A structured parenting preparation curriculum designed for delivery within routine antenatal care contacts, through Community Health Extension Workers at primary healthcare centres.
Programme Model · In Development, Not Yet PilotedWhat ANC Plus Is
ANC Plus is Toivo’s first practical application of its research on parental preparedness. It is designed to require no new staff, no new infrastructure, and no additional visits: the curriculum is built to be delivered by Community Health Extension Workers who already provide antenatal care within Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.
The curriculum draws directly on the six-pillar framework set out in Toivo’s Policy Brief No. 1, extending routine antenatal care content, which is strong on clinical survival topics, to include the parenting knowledge that shapes a child’s development after birth.
Current Stage
ANC Plus is a programme model in active development. It has not yet been piloted, and it is not currently being delivered to any families. Toivo is positioning ANC Plus for pilot partnership with primary healthcare systems and implementing organisations.
ANC Plus is one application of Toivo’s broader mission. It sits alongside Toivo’s other research and policy work, including our analysis of paternity leave and family law in Nigeria.
Six pillars, delivered within existing antenatal care contacts.
Safe Birth and Healthy Newborn Care
Foundational health knowledge, delivered alongside existing antenatal care content.
Emotional Bonding and Secure Attachment
Guidance on responsive caregiving and the formation of secure attachment.
Discipline, Boundaries and Character Formation
Introduction to authoritative, reasoning-based approaches to discipline.
Early Childhood Stimulation and Cognitive Development
Practical guidance on interaction, talk and play during the first three years.
Financial Preparation for Parenthood
Planning guidance for the economic realities of the first years of parenthood.
Parental Mental Health and Wellbeing
Screening and support pathways for perinatal mental health, for both parents.
Interested in piloting ANC Plus?
Toivo welcomes conversations with primary healthcare systems, government health agencies and implementing organisations about pilot partnership.
Partnership Opportunities