Types of Child Care

Child Care Centers are programs licensed by the state to operate in non-home facilities. While they vary greatly, most centers have a curriculum and staff with educational backgrounds in early childhood development.  The children are separated by age groups and the hours of care are typically less flexible than family child care homes. 

Family Child Care Homes are programs operating in the caregiver’s home and are regulated by the state.  There are no educational requirements for obtaining a family child care license.  However, all licensed providers are required to take a 15-hour child care health and safety course that includes CPR and first aid.  They also need a fingerprint clearance and a TB test.  Depending on the Family Child Care Home license, providers may accept children of different age groups and have different license capacities:

Small family child care is licensed to care for up to eight children. Different age configurations are allowed, depending on the number and ages of children in care.

Large family child care is licensed to care for up to fourteen children.  The provider must have a full-time assistant and different age configurations are allowed, depending on the number of children in care.

Preschool for All
Preschool for All (PFA) is funded by First 5 San Francisco to provide universal access to high quality, free part-day preschool.   All children who will be four years of age on or before December 2nd of the year and live in San Francisco are eligible for PFA.

San Francisco Child Care Connection (SF3C)                                             

The San Francisco Child Care Connection (SF3C) gives families access to many subsidized child care programs that cover all or part of their child care costs.  With the SF3C, families can apply for child care and development programs all over San Francisco through a single application.  R&R Specialists will assist families with applying for SF3C and updating their information.  Visit www.sf3c.org for more information