Early Learning For All
Ninety percent of your child’s brain develops during the first five years.
That is why it is so important for children to have high quality child care and preschool. Quality early care and education helps children’s brains develop. It helps their physical and emotional growth. It helps children be ready for kindergarten and beyond.
DEC helps make sure every child in San Francisco has access to early care and education. Two-thirds of all families in San Francisco are eligible for free child care! Many more can receive tuition discounts. This is the Early Learning For All initiative.
Find out if you qualify!
Early Learning For All offers free and low-cost child care to most San Francisco families. It’s easy to find out if you qualify. Use our simple online application tool to check your eligibility.
Early Learning For All includes two levels of financial support. The levels depend on family size and income:
1. Fully-Funded Tuition
For families earning up to 110% of the Area Median Income (up to a $164,850 annual income for a family of four): Families are eligible to receive FREE enrollment at programs in the Early Learning For All network.
2. Tuition Credit
For families earning between 111%-150% of the Area Median Income (up to a $224,800 yearly income for a family of four): Families are eligible for a tuition credit for 50% off DEC’s published tuition rates at any program in the Early Learning For All network.
Click here for Early Learning For All income thresholds by family size.
If you are eligible, you’ll be able to start your application online. The application will ask you to verify your family size, income, and address. You can share your preferences for hours, location, and language. Then our site will match you to programs that meet your criteria and currently have vacancies.
Other ways to apply
There are two other ways to apply for Early Learning For All.
1. Contact a Resource and Referral Agency
We fund three community-based organizations to help you check your eligibility and sign up for Early Learning For All. They can also help you find early care and education programs that might be a good fit for your family. They are called Resource and Referral Agencies.
To know which Resource and Referral Agency to contact, review the Early Learning For All eligibility thresholds chart. If you think your family income is at or below 110% of the Area Median Income, contact either Children’s Council or Wu Yee. If you think your family income is between 111% – 150% of the Area Median Income, contact Wu Yee Children’s Services. If your family is currently experiencing homelessness, contact Compass Family Services.
Children’s Council of San Francisco
445 Church Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
Resource and Referral Line: 415.343.3300
Email: rr@childrenscouncil.org
Wu Yee Children’s Services
880 Clay St., Floor 3
San Francisco, CA 94108
Resource and Referral Line: 844.644.4300
Email: randr@wuyee.org
Compass Family Services
37 Grove Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Resource and Referral Line: 415-644-0504 x 2330
Email: access@compass-sf.org
2. Apply through an Early Learning For All program
If you have found the child care program or preschool that you want to attend, they can help you sign up for Early Learning For All. The program’s owner or staff will verify your family size and income. They will work with DEC to enroll you in Early Learning For All and get financial aid.
There are over 500 Early Care and Education Centers and Family Child Care Homes in the Early Learning For All network. Participating programs meet high quality standards.
About Early Learning For All
Over 500 child care and preschool programs are part of DEC’s Early Learning For All network. To join the Early Learning For All network, these independent programs must meet and maintain high quality standards, including:
- developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction
- qualified and caring teachers
- health and safety requirements
- a focus on partnering with families to support their children.
Early Learning For All programs support children’s learning and their social-emotional well-being. They help children learn social skills, and they foster inclusivity, acceptance, and empathy.
Every family and child has unique needs. Families can choose the program in the Early Learning For All network that best meets their needs and preferences.
San Francisco is a leader in universal early learning access. We are the first city in the nation to make high quality child care accessible for all our residents. We bring together federal Head Start funding, California Title V funding, and a historic local investment to create Early Learning For All. We want every child to grow up happy, healthy, and thriving in San Francisco.
We also know that for children to thrive, the adults in their lives must also have support. The early educators who participate in Early Learning For All receive professional development and quality improvement support. They also receive fair and equitable compensation through our Workforce Compensation Initiative. Click here to read about all of our early learning investments.