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Meet San Francisco’s Department of Early Childhood.

We partner with all of the adults who care for young children, so that together we can create healthier, happier, and more imaginative childhoods. And that makes the city a better place to live for us all.

Putting the pieces together so children can soar.

In 2023, DEC made San Francisco an even better place for families.

A mother and a her preschool aged son

Parents, we're here for you.

Parenting is hard sometimes. That’s why we put parents at the center of what we do. DEC is the City department solely dedicated to our youngest children. We work to support San Francisco families through partnerships, family services, and early childhood programs. As a result, we are making it easier to raise young children in the city we love.

Growing together in early childhood.

Our city is committed to early childhood strategies that have the power to impact the health and well-being of our youngest residents positively. The DEC strategic plan results from a community-wide effort and represents our commitment to transforming belief into action.

Educator reading a book to a toddler aged boy

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