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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
"Baby" Proposition C
In 2018, 51% of San Francisco voters approved Proposition C ("Baby" Prop C), a Commercial Rent Tax for Child Care and Early Education. The proposition authorized an additional tax on commercial property and leases with annual gross receipts over $1 million; nonprofits and other small businesses are exempt. 85% of the revenue generated by this tax is designated for child care and early education. The remaining 15% is deposited in the city/county General Fund for other city-approved uses. The tax is expected to generate approximately $146 million annually to support child care and early education; these funds may be used to:
  • Support quality early care and education for children under the age of six in San Francisco families at 85% or less of State Median Income (SMI);
  • Support quality early care and education for children under the age of four in San Francisco families earning up to 200% of the Area Median Income (AMI);
  • Invest in comprehensive early care and education services that support the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of children under the age of six;
  • Increase compensation (including but not limited to wages, benefits, and training) of care professionals and staff in order to improve the quality and availability of early care and education for children under the age of six.
Learn more: Baby Prop C Sources:San Francisco Office of Early Care and Education. (2021). Baby Prop C Fact Sheet - Legal Uses and Allocation.Children's Council San Francisco. (2021). Children’s Council Celebrates the Passage of Prop C by CA Supreme Court."
  • Dedicated Funding Streams & Financing
    • Taxes
      • Property Tax
    2018 $146 million annually
    City Dedicated Funding Stream
    Tax is expected to generate approximately $146 million annually to support early education
    In 2018, 51% of San Francisco voters approved Proposition C ("Baby" Prop C), a Commercial Rent Tax for Child Care and Early Education. The proposition authorized an additional tax on commercial property and leases with annual gross receipts over $1 million; nonprofits and other small businesses are exempt. 85% of the revenue generated by this tax is designated for child care and early education. The remaining 15% is deposited in the city/county General Fund for other city-approved uses. The tax is expected to generate approximately $146 million annually to support child care and early education; these funds may be used to:
    • Support quality early care and education for children under the age of six in San Francisco families at 85% or less of State Median Income (SMI);
    • Support quality early care and education for children under the age of four in San Francisco families earning up to 200% of the Area Median Income (AMI);
    • Invest in comprehensive early care and education services that support the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of children under the age of six;
    • Increase compensation (including but not limited to wages, benefits, and training) of care professionals and staff in order to improve the quality and availability of early care and education for children under the age of six.
    Learn more: Baby Prop C Sources:San Francisco Office of Early Care and Education. (2021). Baby Prop C Fact Sheet - Legal Uses and Allocation.Children's Council San Francisco. (2021). Children’s Council Celebrates the Passage of Prop C by CA Supreme Court."
    California Universal Prekindergarten
    In 2021, California legislators approved a plan to provide universal prekindergarten (UPK) to all four-year-olds and targeted pre-K to income-eligible three-year-olds in the state by 2025-26. California UPK employs a mixed-delivery system that comprises programs across the early care and education ecosystem, including the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and transitional kindergarten (TK), which are both offered by the California Department of Education; Head Start; family child care; private preschools; and community-based organizations. The rollout of UPK is supported by the Universal Prekindergarten Mixed Delivery Planning Grant, which funds local working groups in each county to align plans to expand UPK with those of local education agencies and the county office of education.   Most of the funding for UPK was allocated to expand transitional kindergarten, a free state-wide prekindergarten program for all four-year-olds, regardless of family income. TK programs are administered by K-12 public school districts in California and constitute the first year of a two-year program whose second year is kindergarten. They use a modified kindergarten curriculum, which is aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations developed by the California Department of Education. In TK alone, California public schools will serve around 300,000 four-year-olds by 2025-26.  LEARN MORE: CALIFORNIA UNIVERSAL PRE-K Sources: San Francisco Department of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Universal Pre-K FAQ. Leung-Gagné, M., & Melnick, H. (2023). Assessing the phase-in of California’s ambitious universal prekindergarten program. EdSource. Leung-Gagné, M., Wang, V., Melnick, H., & Mauerman, C. (2023). How Are California School Districts Planning for Universal Prekindergarten? Results From a 2022 Survey. Learning Policy Institute.
    • Expansion
      • Public Pre-K
        • Universal Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds)
          • Targeted Pre-K Policy (3-Year-Olds)
        2021 $2 billion in FY22
        State-Funded Pre-K
        Expands universal prekindergarten to all four-year-olds and targeted prekindergarten to income-eligible three-year-olds in the state by 2025-26
        In 2021, California legislators approved a plan to provide universal prekindergarten (UPK) to all four-year-olds and targeted pre-K to income-eligible three-year-olds in the state by 2025-26. California UPK employs a mixed-delivery system that comprises programs across the early care and education ecosystem, including the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and transitional kindergarten (TK), which are both offered by the California Department of Education; Head Start; family child care; private preschools; and community-based organizations. The rollout of UPK is supported by the Universal Prekindergarten Mixed Delivery Planning Grant, which funds local working groups in each county to align plans to expand UPK with those of local education agencies and the county office of education.   Most of the funding for UPK was allocated to expand transitional kindergarten, a free state-wide prekindergarten program for all four-year-olds, regardless of family income. TK programs are administered by K-12 public school districts in California and constitute the first year of a two-year program whose second year is kindergarten. They use a modified kindergarten curriculum, which is aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations developed by the California Department of Education. In TK alone, California public schools will serve around 300,000 four-year-olds by 2025-26.  LEARN MORE: CALIFORNIA UNIVERSAL PRE-K Sources: San Francisco Department of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Universal Pre-K FAQ. Leung-Gagné, M., & Melnick, H. (2023). Assessing the phase-in of California’s ambitious universal prekindergarten program. EdSource. Leung-Gagné, M., Wang, V., Melnick, H., & Mauerman, C. (2023). How Are California School Districts Planning for Universal Prekindergarten? Results From a 2022 Survey. Learning Policy Institute.
        Child Care and Development Infrastructure Grant Program
        In 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 131 into law. The bill includes $579 million in funding for child care and preschool providers, including $250 million in infrastructure grants to build or renovate child care facilities, with a focus on underserved areas. This law establishes the Early Learning and Care Infrastructure Grant Program under the administration of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to expand access to early learning and care opportunities for children up to five years of age by providing resources to build new facilities or retrofit, renovate, or expand existing facilities. This law appropriates $245,000,000 from the General Fund to the State Department of Education for these purposes, to be released on a prescribed schedule. The Early Learning and Care Infrastructure Grant Fund offers up to $1.5 million for Child Care and Development Centers and up to $100,000 for Family Child Care homes. The grant can be used to increase licensed spaces by renovating or building out an existing facility by adding classrooms, constructing a brand-new center-based facility, replacing a facility lost due to a state or federally declared disaster, or expanding Small Family Child Care Homes to Large Family Child Care Homes. Learn More: child care and development Infrastructure Grant Program Sources:Northern California Small Business Development Center. (n.d.). Infrastructure Grant ProgramCalifornia Legislature. (n.d.). AB-131 Child Development Programs.Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. (2021). Governor Newsom Signs Legislation Supporting Working Families and Child Care Providers.California Department of Social Services. (n.d.). New Construction and Major Renovation.
        • Expansion
          • Physical Space and Facilities
          2021 $579 million annually
          Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five
          Ongoing funding
          In 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 131 into law. The bill includes $579 million in funding for child care and preschool providers, including $250 million in infrastructure grants to build or renovate child care facilities, with a focus on underserved areas. This law establishes the Early Learning and Care Infrastructure Grant Program under the administration of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to expand access to early learning and care opportunities for children up to five years of age by providing resources to build new facilities or retrofit, renovate, or expand existing facilities. This law appropriates $245,000,000 from the General Fund to the State Department of Education for these purposes, to be released on a prescribed schedule. The Early Learning and Care Infrastructure Grant Fund offers up to $1.5 million for Child Care and Development Centers and up to $100,000 for Family Child Care homes. The grant can be used to increase licensed spaces by renovating or building out an existing facility by adding classrooms, constructing a brand-new center-based facility, replacing a facility lost due to a state or federally declared disaster, or expanding Small Family Child Care Homes to Large Family Child Care Homes. Learn More: child care and development Infrastructure Grant Program Sources:Northern California Small Business Development Center. (n.d.). Infrastructure Grant ProgramCalifornia Legislature. (n.d.). AB-131 Child Development Programs.Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. (2021). Governor Newsom Signs Legislation Supporting Working Families and Child Care Providers.California Department of Social Services. (n.d.). New Construction and Major Renovation.
          Community College Tuition Partnership Program
          In 2022, the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) established the Community College Tuition Partnership Program, which is funded by the San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative (SDQPI) and First 5 San Diego. SDCOE partners with community colleges across the county to offer free tuition for early childhood educators to attain their associate degree in child development. The program also covers costs associated with technology, books, and other necessary resources. Those eligible for tuition assistance include teachers, instructional aides, support staff, and administrators employed at sites that participate in SDQPI.  Sources: San Diego County Office of Education. (n.d.). Workforce Investment Program Tuition Assistance. San Diego County Office of Education. (2022). SDQPI and First 5 San Diego Partner to Provide Free Tuition to Early Education Providers.
          • Workforce
            • Bonuses and Supplemental Pay
            2022
            • California DOE
            • First Five California
            • Quality Counts California (dedicated funding stream)
            Partnership with community colleges across the county to offer free tuition for early childhood educators to attain their associate degree in child development
            In 2022, the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) established the Community College Tuition Partnership Program, which is funded by the San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative (SDQPI) and First 5 San Diego. SDCOE partners with community colleges across the county to offer free tuition for early childhood educators to attain their associate degree in child development. The program also covers costs associated with technology, books, and other necessary resources. Those eligible for tuition assistance include teachers, instructional aides, support staff, and administrators employed at sites that participate in SDQPI.  Sources: San Diego County Office of Education. (n.d.). Workforce Investment Program Tuition Assistance. San Diego County Office of Education. (2022). SDQPI and First 5 San Diego Partner to Provide Free Tuition to Early Education Providers.
            Compensation and Retention for Early Educators Stipend (CARES 3.0)
            First implemented as CARES 2.0 using funds from fiscal years 2017 and 2018, CARES 3.0 is the newest version of a stipend program designed to support more than 2,000 early educators working across San Francisco's city-funded center-based and family child care (FCC) programs. The city anticipates investing $60 million annually to support this program. To be eligible for stipends, educators must:
            • Be employed by an Early Learning Scholarship (ELS; San Francisco’s subsidy system) or Preschool for All (PFA) program that has been deemed eligible by the Department of Early Childhood, and;
            • Work directly with children for at least 20 hours per week
            Awards are determined based on educator role, part-time or full-time status, education level and experience, and proportion of subsidy-eligible children served. Stipends begin at $4,000 and increase to $39,100 per educator or FCC owner per year; higher amounts are reserved for those with the highest educational attainment and percentage of subsidy-receiving children served. FCC owners are eligible for the highest stipend amounts.This program is paid for through a commercial rent tax passed in 2018 (Prop C, referred to as "Baby" Prop C, a Commercial Rent Tax for Childcare and Early Education). Learn More: CARES 3.0 Sources: San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0. San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0. Eligible Programs. San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0 FAQs. San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0 Stipend Amounts.
            • Workforce
              • Bonuses and Supplemental Pay
              2017 $60 million annually
              City Dedicated Funding Stream
              $4,000 – $39,100 per educator or FCC owner per year, depending on several factors
              First implemented as CARES 2.0 using funds from fiscal years 2017 and 2018, CARES 3.0 is the newest version of a stipend program designed to support more than 2,000 early educators working across San Francisco's city-funded center-based and family child care (FCC) programs. The city anticipates investing $60 million annually to support this program. To be eligible for stipends, educators must:
              • Be employed by an Early Learning Scholarship (ELS; San Francisco’s subsidy system) or Preschool for All (PFA) program that has been deemed eligible by the Department of Early Childhood, and;
              • Work directly with children for at least 20 hours per week
              Awards are determined based on educator role, part-time or full-time status, education level and experience, and proportion of subsidy-eligible children served. Stipends begin at $4,000 and increase to $39,100 per educator or FCC owner per year; higher amounts are reserved for those with the highest educational attainment and percentage of subsidy-receiving children served. FCC owners are eligible for the highest stipend amounts.This program is paid for through a commercial rent tax passed in 2018 (Prop C, referred to as "Baby" Prop C, a Commercial Rent Tax for Childcare and Early Education). Learn More: CARES 3.0 Sources: San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0. San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0. Eligible Programs. San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0 FAQs. San Francisco Office of Early Childhood. (2023). CARES 3.0 Stipend Amounts.
              Family Child Care Apprenticeship
              The California Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Early Educator Apprenticeship Program provides apprenticeships for educators in family child care (FCC), center-based child care, and Head Start programs. The FCC Apprenticeship provides training for family child care providers and covers the cost of tuition, books, a laptop, a Child Development Permit application, and the required background check. Participants receive monthly "wage enhancements" of $100 to $450 after completing four months of the program. The program is run as a cohort model, and coaches visit apprentices twice per month. FCC apprentices earn credentials that culminate in California’s Child Development Permits. Permits are not mandated for licensed FCC providers, but FCC providers who choose to enroll in the state’s Quality Rating Improvement System, Quality Counts California, will earn points tied to funding as they obtain credentials. Funding comes mostly from state and federal initiatives for workforce development. Since its inception, Early Educator Apprenticeship Program staff have raised over $4 million in grant funding, primarily from the California Apprenticeship Initiative and the Workforce Accelerator Fund, with roughly $1.2 million supporting the FCC program. The program has been supported by two California Apprenticeship Initiative grants, four Workforce Accelerator Fund grants, and in-kind donations from individual program sponsors. Learn More: California Department of Education Sources: Franchino, E. (2020). An Apprenticeship in California Designed for Family Child Care Providers. New America. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. (2019). Strengthening the Knowledge, Skills, and Professional Identity of Early Educators. Learning Policy Institute. (2019). Promising Models for Preparing a Diverse, High-Quality Early Childhood Workforce.
              • Workforce
                • Apprenticeships
                $4 million
                State-funded program
                The California Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Early Educator Apprenticeship Program provides apprenticeships for educators in family child care (FCC), center-based child care, and Head Start programs. The FCC Apprenticeship provides training for family child care providers and covers the cost of tuition, books, a laptop, a Child Development Permit application, and the required background check. Participants receive monthly "wage enhancements" of $100 to $450 after completing four months of the program. The program is run as a cohort model, and coaches visit apprentices twice per month. FCC apprentices earn credentials that culminate in California’s Child Development Permits. Permits are not mandated for licensed FCC providers, but FCC providers who choose to enroll in the state’s Quality Rating Improvement System, Quality Counts California, will earn points tied to funding as they obtain credentials. Funding comes mostly from state and federal initiatives for workforce development. Since its inception, Early Educator Apprenticeship Program staff have raised over $4 million in grant funding, primarily from the California Apprenticeship Initiative and the Workforce Accelerator Fund, with roughly $1.2 million supporting the FCC program. The program has been supported by two California Apprenticeship Initiative grants, four Workforce Accelerator Fund grants, and in-kind donations from individual program sponsors. Learn More: California Department of Education Sources: Franchino, E. (2020). An Apprenticeship in California Designed for Family Child Care Providers. New America. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. (2019). Strengthening the Knowledge, Skills, and Professional Identity of Early Educators. Learning Policy Institute. (2019). Promising Models for Preparing a Diverse, High-Quality Early Childhood Workforce.
                Keeping Kids Close to Home Act
                SB 234, known as the Keeping Kids Close to Home Act, is a California law passed in 2019 that prohibits localities from requiring family child care (FCC) providers to obtain a zoning permit or business license to operate a child care program in their home. The law also states that landlords cannot evict FCC providers or refuse to rent to them because they plan to operate a child care business out of their home. This applies to small FCC providers, who care for up to eight children, and large FCC providers, who care for up to 14 children.  The Keeping Kids Close to Home Act also specifies that home-based child care programs can operate in many types of residences, including single-family homes, condominiums, apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and all other multi-family buildings. It went into effect on January 1, 2020.  LEARN MORE: KEEPING KIDS CLOSE TO HOME ACT Sources: Child Care Law Center. (n.d.). Know the Law: The Keeping Kids Close to Home Act. Sullivan, E. T. (2023). New State Laws Will Ease Housing Burdens on Home-Based Child Care Providers. EdSurge.
                • Expansion
                  • Physical Space and Facilities
                  Law passed in 2019 prohibits localities from requiring family child care providers to obtain a zoning permit or business license to operate a child care program in their home
                  SB 234, known as the Keeping Kids Close to Home Act, is a California law passed in 2019 that prohibits localities from requiring family child care (FCC) providers to obtain a zoning permit or business license to operate a child care program in their home. The law also states that landlords cannot evict FCC providers or refuse to rent to them because they plan to operate a child care business out of their home. This applies to small FCC providers, who care for up to eight children, and large FCC providers, who care for up to 14 children.  The Keeping Kids Close to Home Act also specifies that home-based child care programs can operate in many types of residences, including single-family homes, condominiums, apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and all other multi-family buildings. It went into effect on January 1, 2020.  LEARN MORE: KEEPING KIDS CLOSE TO HOME ACT Sources: Child Care Law Center. (n.d.). Know the Law: The Keeping Kids Close to Home Act. Sullivan, E. T. (2023). New State Laws Will Ease Housing Burdens on Home-Based Child Care Providers. EdSurge.
                  Oakland Children’s Initiative
                  The Oakland Children’s Initiative (Measure AA) was approved by voters in November 2018 and was upheld by the courts in 2021. This charter amendment authorizes the City of Oakland to collect $198 per year in parcel tax on single-family homes, and $135.25 per year per unit of multi-unit residences, from FY 2019-20 to FY 2048-49. This will produce around $35 million annually in funding for early care and education and college preparedness programs for Oakland residents for the next 30 years. Qualifying low-income households can be exempted from the parcel tax. Sixty-two percent of the tax revenue is used to expand access to and quality of early education and child care. Another seven percent is used for oversight and accountability, including the cost of operating the mayor-appointed Citizens’ Oversight Commission, which administers audits, implementation planning, and outreach.  Oakland leaders aim to use this revenue to deliver preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds in the city within a decade. For now, initial investments will improve facilities serving 3- and 4-year-olds and provide staffing support. The funds will also provide professional development, training, and coaching for early educators, as well as increase access to classroom materials and technology. Measure AA was entangled in legal battles following its initial approval by 62% of voters. Although the measure specified that it needed two-thirds approval to pass, the City Council later determined that only a simple majority, or 50%, was needed. In January 2019, the Oakland Jobs and Housing Coalition, along with a group of property owners, sued the City of Oakland, arguing that the City Council certified Measure AA unlawfully, given that it failed to earn support from two-thirds of the voters. But in December 2021, a California appeals court upheld the measure’s passage on the legal grounds that citizen-led ballot initiatives need only a simple majority, regardless of the language on the ballot. LEARN MORE: OAKLAND CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE Sources: City of Oakland. (2018). Measure AA. Ballotpedia. (2018). Oakland, California, Measure AA, Education Parcel Tax Charter Amendment. New America. (2023). In the San Francisco Bay Area, Two New Funds Support Early Care and Education. First 5 Alameda County. (n.d.). Ballot Measures. Oakland North. (2019). Lawsuit challenges Oakland’s certification of education funding tax Measure AA.
                  • Dedicated Funding Streams & Financing
                    • Taxes
                      • Property Tax
                    2018 $35 million annually
                    City Dedicated Funding Stream
                    Parcel tax contributes over $30 million annually toward Oakland early care and education and college preparedness programs  
                    The Oakland Children’s Initiative (Measure AA) was approved by voters in November 2018 and was upheld by the courts in 2021. This charter amendment authorizes the City of Oakland to collect $198 per year in parcel tax on single-family homes, and $135.25 per year per unit of multi-unit residences, from FY 2019-20 to FY 2048-49. This will produce around $35 million annually in funding for early care and education and college preparedness programs for Oakland residents for the next 30 years. Qualifying low-income households can be exempted from the parcel tax. Sixty-two percent of the tax revenue is used to expand access to and quality of early education and child care. Another seven percent is used for oversight and accountability, including the cost of operating the mayor-appointed Citizens’ Oversight Commission, which administers audits, implementation planning, and outreach.  Oakland leaders aim to use this revenue to deliver preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds in the city within a decade. For now, initial investments will improve facilities serving 3- and 4-year-olds and provide staffing support. The funds will also provide professional development, training, and coaching for early educators, as well as increase access to classroom materials and technology. Measure AA was entangled in legal battles following its initial approval by 62% of voters. Although the measure specified that it needed two-thirds approval to pass, the City Council later determined that only a simple majority, or 50%, was needed. In January 2019, the Oakland Jobs and Housing Coalition, along with a group of property owners, sued the City of Oakland, arguing that the City Council certified Measure AA unlawfully, given that it failed to earn support from two-thirds of the voters. But in December 2021, a California appeals court upheld the measure’s passage on the legal grounds that citizen-led ballot initiatives need only a simple majority, regardless of the language on the ballot. LEARN MORE: OAKLAND CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE Sources: City of Oakland. (2018). Measure AA. Ballotpedia. (2018). Oakland, California, Measure AA, Education Parcel Tax Charter Amendment. New America. (2023). In the San Francisco Bay Area, Two New Funds Support Early Care and Education. First 5 Alameda County. (n.d.). Ballot Measures. Oakland North. (2019). Lawsuit challenges Oakland’s certification of education funding tax Measure AA.
                    Program for Infant/Toddler Care
                    California offers various professional development resources provided by the Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD) to train professionals in the childcare field, including the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC), which leads institutes for child care professionals on topics such as social-emotional development, quality group care, cognitive and language development, and cultural and family issues. The PITC program offers subsidized on-site training, mentoring and coaching to eligible child care programs in California. Through these programs, care providers, teachers, program directors and home visitors can access interactive training services and events, technical assistance, and coaching. Companion CDE resources are also available to in-home and family child care providers, infant/toddler care teachers, program directors and home visitors. There is also an Academy for Family Child Care (FCC), which includes a six-session virtual training on the unique assets and challenges of FCC and specialized training to support infant/toddler care. Learn More: California Early Learning and Care Division Professional Development Training Sources: California Department of Education. (n.d.). Professional Development Training. Program for Infant Toddler Care. (n.d.).
                    • Workforce
                      • Professional Learning
                      Includes training, coaching, and mentoring
                      California offers various professional development resources provided by the Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD) to train professionals in the childcare field, including the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC), which leads institutes for child care professionals on topics such as social-emotional development, quality group care, cognitive and language development, and cultural and family issues. The PITC program offers subsidized on-site training, mentoring and coaching to eligible child care programs in California. Through these programs, care providers, teachers, program directors and home visitors can access interactive training services and events, technical assistance, and coaching. Companion CDE resources are also available to in-home and family child care providers, infant/toddler care teachers, program directors and home visitors. There is also an Academy for Family Child Care (FCC), which includes a six-session virtual training on the unique assets and challenges of FCC and specialized training to support infant/toddler care. Learn More: California Early Learning and Care Division Professional Development Training Sources: California Department of Education. (n.d.). Professional Development Training. Program for Infant Toddler Care. (n.d.).
                      San Francisco Department of Early Childhood
                      In July 2022, Mayor London Breed launched the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood (DEC), dedicating $300 million annually to support the city’s goal of providing universal early education and care to all young children. The bulk of the revenue comes from the Commercial Rents Tax (also referred to as the Early Care and Education Commercial Rents Tax). DEC is the result of a merger of two existing city departments, First 5 and the Office of Early Care and Education. Learn more/source: San Francisco Department of Early Childhood
                      • Infrastructure to Support Early Childhood Systems
                        • Administrative + Governance Models
                        2022 $300 million annually
                        City Dedicated Funding Stream
                        City and county partnership
                        In July 2022, Mayor London Breed launched the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood (DEC), dedicating $300 million annually to support the city’s goal of providing universal early education and care to all young children. The bulk of the revenue comes from the Commercial Rents Tax (also referred to as the Early Care and Education Commercial Rents Tax). DEC is the result of a merger of two existing city departments, First 5 and the Office of Early Care and Education. Learn more/source: San Francisco Department of Early Childhood
                        San Francisco Public Education Enrichment Fund
                        In 2004, San Francisco voters approved the ballot measure Proposition H by 71%, establishing the Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) as law within the City Charter. The PEEF supports the design and implementation of diverse educational programs for San Francisco’s youth, and is funded annually by the City of San Francisco’s discretionary General Fund. One-third of the PEEF—approximately $20 million per year—is allocated to expanding and supporting early care and education programs in San Francisco. In the years following Proposition H’s passage, funds were distributed to First 5 San Francisco to create Preschool for All (PFA), with the goal of ensuring that all San Francisco four-year-olds could attend high-quality preschool. In July 2015, administration of these funds was transferred from First 5 San Francisco to the city’s Office of Early Care and Education, which has used the funds to expand access to preschool for children between the ages of three and five years who are city residents.  The remaining two-thirds of the Public Education Enrichment Fund is allocated to the San Francisco Unified School District.  LEARN MORE: PUBLIC EDUCATION ENRICHMENT FUND (PEEF) Sources: San Francisco Unified School District. (n.d.). Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) City of San Francisco. (n.d.). Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF). San Francisco Human Services Agency. (2016). San Francisco Citywide Plan for Early Care and Education.
                        • Dedicated Funding Streams & Financing
                          2004 $20 million annually
                          City Dedicated Funding Stream City of San Francisco General Fund
                          Fund contributes approximately $20 million per year toward San Francisco early education expansion and support efforts
                          In 2004, San Francisco voters approved the ballot measure Proposition H by 71%, establishing the Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) as law within the City Charter. The PEEF supports the design and implementation of diverse educational programs for San Francisco’s youth, and is funded annually by the City of San Francisco’s discretionary General Fund. One-third of the PEEF—approximately $20 million per year—is allocated to expanding and supporting early care and education programs in San Francisco. In the years following Proposition H’s passage, funds were distributed to First 5 San Francisco to create Preschool for All (PFA), with the goal of ensuring that all San Francisco four-year-olds could attend high-quality preschool. In July 2015, administration of these funds was transferred from First 5 San Francisco to the city’s Office of Early Care and Education, which has used the funds to expand access to preschool for children between the ages of three and five years who are city residents.  The remaining two-thirds of the Public Education Enrichment Fund is allocated to the San Francisco Unified School District.  LEARN MORE: PUBLIC EDUCATION ENRICHMENT FUND (PEEF) Sources: San Francisco Unified School District. (n.d.). Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) City of San Francisco. (n.d.). Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF). San Francisco Human Services Agency. (2016). San Francisco Citywide Plan for Early Care and Education.
                          The Pilot Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship Program
                          Established in 2021, the Pilot Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship Program in San Francisco is a formal partnership between the City College of San Francisco Child Development and Family Studies Department and San Francisco Unified School District. Apprentices begin as an Early Childhood Teaching Assistant, a Transitional Kindergarten Teaching Assistant or a Special Education Paraprofessional working in pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. All programs include training in special education. The apprenticeship has two tracks that each last up to 34 months, and both lead to an Early Childhood Teaching Permit. The program provides 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, and participants can take courses at City College of San Francisco. The program receives $800,000 in funding from the Strong Workforce Program. Learn More: City College of San Francisco Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship Sources: City College of San Francisco. (n.d.). Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship. City College of San Francisco. (n.d.). Strong Workforce Program Strategic Plan 2020-2023
                          • Workforce
                            • Apprenticeships
                            City partnership with local college
                            Established in 2021, the Pilot Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship Program in San Francisco is a formal partnership between the City College of San Francisco Child Development and Family Studies Department and San Francisco Unified School District. Apprentices begin as an Early Childhood Teaching Assistant, a Transitional Kindergarten Teaching Assistant or a Special Education Paraprofessional working in pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. All programs include training in special education. The apprenticeship has two tracks that each last up to 34 months, and both lead to an Early Childhood Teaching Permit. The program provides 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, and participants can take courses at City College of San Francisco. The program receives $800,000 in funding from the Strong Workforce Program. Learn More: City College of San Francisco Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship Sources: City College of San Francisco. (n.d.). Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship. City College of San Francisco. (n.d.). Strong Workforce Program Strategic Plan 2020-2023
                            Workforce Pathways LA Stipend Program
                            Workforce Pathways LA is a workforce development model administered by the Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education in partnership with Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA), which is a county wide quality improvement initiative. It is funded through a partnership between Los Angeles County and the California Department of Education, the California Department of Social Services, and First 5 California. The Workforce Pathways LA Stipend Program creates financial incentives that help early educators obtain Child Development Permits or college degrees, including both associate and bachelor’s degrees. It aims to increase the skills and knowledge of early educators across the county, increase the number of early childhood professionals with Child Development Permits, and increase the number of professionals with degrees in early childhood. To be eligible, an educator must be working in a program that accepts some form of CA Early Learning subsidy.  Sources: County of Los Angeles Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education. (n.d.). Workforce Pathways LA.
                            • Workforce
                              • Professional Learning
                              Program creates financial incentives that help early educators obtain Child Development Permits or college degrees
                              Workforce Pathways LA is a workforce development model administered by the Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education in partnership with Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA), which is a county wide quality improvement initiative. It is funded through a partnership between Los Angeles County and the California Department of Education, the California Department of Social Services, and First 5 California. The Workforce Pathways LA Stipend Program creates financial incentives that help early educators obtain Child Development Permits or college degrees, including both associate and bachelor’s degrees. It aims to increase the skills and knowledge of early educators across the county, increase the number of early childhood professionals with Child Development Permits, and increase the number of professionals with degrees in early childhood. To be eligible, an educator must be working in a program that accepts some form of CA Early Learning subsidy.  Sources: County of Los Angeles Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education. (n.d.). Workforce Pathways LA.
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                              Demographics Link copied!

                              Demographics Data Scorecard

                              State population

                              39,029,342 Source U.S. Census, 2022

                              Rural %

                              5.8% Source U.S. Census, 2020

                              Urban %

                              94.2% Source U.S. Census, 2020

                              Number of children 0–4

                              2,217,145 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

                              Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty

                              35% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

                              Median family income among households with children

                              $93,600.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

                              Unemployment rate

                              5.2% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024

                              Unemployment rate of parents

                              6% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

                              Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

                              65% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

                              Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

                              40% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

                              Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

                              Race and Ethnicity

                              • American Indian and Alaska Native (.5%)
                              • Asian (13%)
                              • Black or African American (5%)
                              • Hispanic or Latino (52%)
                              • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (.5%)
                              • Two or more races (5%)
                              • White, not Hispanic or Latino (24%)
                              Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
                              Governor D D D D D
                              State House D D D D D
                              State Senate D D D D D

                              Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

                              Early Childhood Education Programs

                              Program Name Program Length* Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child
                              California State Preschool Programs (CSPP) expanding to UPK and phasing in implementation of universal transitional kindergarten (UTK). Source: NIEER 2023 Half-day; minimum 2.5 hours/day during school year Transitioning from Targeted to Universal Pre-K Policy (4-year-olds) Source: NIEER 2023 $15,307

                              2023 Percent of 3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

                              Programs

                              • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (9%)
                              • 3-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (7%)
                              • Other/None (84%)

                              2023 Percent of 4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

                              Programs

                              • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (38%)
                              • 4-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (6%)
                              • Other/None (56%)

                              Workforce Link copied!

                              2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

                              Role

                              • Child Care Workers
                                $12.86 (2017, adjusted)
                                $13.43 (2019)
                              • Preschool Teachers
                                $16.93 (2017, adjusted)
                                $16.83 (2019)
                              • Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
                                $25.01 (2017, adjusted)
                                $24.78 (2019)

                              Funding Sources Link copied!

                              Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024

                              Funding Source

                              • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($1360)
                              • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($1150)
                              • CCDBG State Match ($247.9)
                              • State-Funded Pre-K ($3200)
                              • MIECHV ($26.7)
                              • IDEA Part C ($58.8)
                              • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($42.2)
                              • TANF Early Learning and Care ($961.2)
                              • Preschool Development Grant Birth ($4)