The Magic Continues at DEC’s Second Infant/Toddler Conference
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Over 200 early childhood educators, coaches, consultants, and advocates gathered on June 7 and 8 for San Francisco’s second infant/toddler conference, hosted by DEC and WestEd. The event was an […]
Data & Evaluation Services Request for Proposals is Now Open!
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Calling all qualified suppliers! The Department of Early Childhood (DEC) is seeking proposals for four crucial service areas. If you have expertise in data mapping, data governance, evaluation implementation, landscape […]
Press Release: Mayor Breed Announces Budget Investments to Expand Early Child Care Efforts
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In partnership with Supervisor Melgar, the proposed initiatives will build on the City’s groundbreaking early education and child care initiatives by expanding eligibility to moderate income families and piloting extended-hour […]
Press Release: Nature-filled Play Areas Coming to Child Care Sites Across San Francisco
![group of children playing outside](https://sfdec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BrilliantKids-1024x547.jpg)
Benefits include better mental health and creativity. SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Ten San Francisco child care centers and family child care homes have been transformed into nature-filled oases that inspire […]
Engaging Communities: A Blueprint for Happier, Healthier, More Imaginative Childhoods
![Parent holding infant child outside](https://sfdec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GoodSam1-157-1024x683.jpg)
When we launched DEC, we did so with a strategic plan that clearly lays out our mission, what we’ll do to achieve it, and why. A significant part of our […]
Popping-Up with the People: Bringing Information, Resources and Joy to the Bayview Pop-Up Village’s Youth Future Zone
![Smiling mom holding baby in body carrier](https://sfdec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMGL1149-1024x984.jpg)
The Pop-Up Village is a site activation project that harnesses the power of design to bring together people and programs in vibrant and thoughtfully selected public spaces. Its mission is […]
National Leadership through Local Action: House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark Look to DEC as a Model for Early Childhood Investment.
![From left to right: Jerry Yang, Executive Director, Kai Ming Head Start; Monique Guidry, Owner, Guidry Early Child Care and Education Program; Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita, United States House of Representatives; Katherine Clark, Minority Whip, United States House of Representatives; Ingrid Mezquita, Executive Director, San Francisco Department of Early Childhood; Edna Ard, Chair, Kai Ming Head Start Parent Council](https://sfdec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/processed-8828CFF6-75A5-4A70-AAA4-352F904820F9-1024x768.jpeg)
Image Description: From left to right: Jerry Yang, Executive Director, Kai Ming Head Start; Monique Guidry, Owner, Guidry Early Child Care and Education Program; Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita, United States […]
The Power of Connection in Education: Highlights from the Attachment Innovation Challenge
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Over the weekend, DEC hosted the “Attachment Innovation Challenge” in collaboration with our funded partners at WestEd. This event encouraged early educators to devise creative solutions to foster secure attachment […]
Building a Coordinated System of Care Through Strong Relationships: Family Resource Center and Early Care and Education Staff Meet, Greet, and Share
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DEC was created to better align and coordinate all City-funded supports available to families with children from prenatal to five. Funding and oversight of critical family supports like the Family […]
Press Release: Mayor Breed’s Children and Family Recovery Plan Delivers Major Results in Early Care and Education
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This press release was originally published February 27, 2024 on SF.GOV. Read the original here. Landmark educator pay initiative and investments in facilities and vouchers for low-income families has dramatically doubled […]