Ninety percent of your child’s brain develops during the first five years.

Every experience in children’s earliest years has an impact on their success in school and the rest of their life. That is why it is so important for children to have high quality care and education during this time. Quality early care and education helps families and supports children’s cognitive, physical, and social and emotional growth. It helps children be ready for kindergarten and beyond.

The Department of Early Childhood works to ensure that every child in San Francisco has access to high-quality and affordable early care and education. 

More families than ever are eligible for free early care and education through Early Learning San Francisco (ELS). For example, a family of 4 can earn up to $158,500 yearly and be eligible to receive free early care and education through our program.