Abstract: Children are supposed to grow in a family setting where both mother and father take their respective roles in the upbringing of the child. In recent years there has been a sudden rise in the phenomenon of single parent families. Single parent families face challenges in properly raising their children. This research sought to find out the challenges encountered by single parents in the learning the learning and development of their infant children. The research employed mixed methodologies. It used questionnaires, observation checklist and document analysis as research instruments. The sample of research participants consisted of 30 school teachers, 18 school heads and 20 parents and 20 children in grade 1 and 2. The data is presented in the form of tables and excerpts. The study found out that single parents faced challenges in paying fees for their children, supplying their children with adequate stationery, monitoring the school attendance of their children and providing their children with emotional support. The exercise books of the children were in a bad state. The academic performance of the children was poor. The single parents faced challenges in supervising their children’s home assignments and their behaviour. The study recommends that the schools organise support groups for single parents so that they share information on how to improve their situation. The study also recommends that the government legislation and policies should assist low income single parents in their parenting problems. There is need for schools to set up guidance and counselling programmes to assist children from single parents and their children so that they are able to cope with challenges they face and are able to compete with children from intact families.