Press Release: The San Francisco Department of Early Childhood Invests $15 Million in Pathways Program to Strengthen Early Education Workforce

San Francisco – The Department of Early Childhood (DEC) is investing boldly in the future of early childhood education by launching its Early Educator Pathways Program. Over the next two […]
Why we’ve invested $46 million to increase early educator wages

In a city known for its innovation and commitment to progress, DEC is taking bold steps to ensure San Francisco’s future is brighter than ever! Research shows that investing in […]
Announcing DEC’s Innovative Communications and Community Engagement Plan to Reach Families Where They Are

We are thrilled to announce the release of the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood’s (DEC) Communications and Community Engagement Plan for 2023-2027. This plan marks a significant milestone in […]
The Magic Continues at DEC’s Second Infant/Toddler Conference

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 […]
Engaging Communities: A Blueprint for Happier, Healthier, More Imaginative Childhoods

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 […]
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.

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

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

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 […]
First of its Kind Longitudinal Study Reaffirms DEC’s Investments to Support Kindergarten Readiness

A new study that followed San Francisco Unified School District students from the time they entered kindergarten until they turned eighteen, demonstrates the critical importance of investing in children and […]
A Brighter Future for San Francisco’s Children: Early Education Milestones and Aspirations

Every half-decade, the San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC), in partnership with the Department of Early Childhood (DEC), undertakes a significant endeavor: crafting a comprehensive needs assessment […]