What is San Francisco’s mixed delivery system for early learning?
Early Learning For All funds a mixed delivery system of high-quality early learning programs across diverse providers so families can choose the option that best meets their children’s needs.Center-Based Programs
Program Description
Child care and early education in dedicated facilities like nursery schools and preschools.
Best for Families Who Want
A “school-like” environment where children are typically grouped in classes by age.
Ages of Children
Infants – Kindergarten age
Family Child Care Homes (FCCs)
Program Description
Family Child Care (FCC) programs are licensed by the State of California to provide child care services in the program owner’s home or residential setting.
Best for Families Who Want
Home-like setting with smaller group sizes, mixed-age learning experiences, and consistent personalized care.
Ages of Children
Infants – Kindergarten age
Transitional Kindergarten
Program Description
Transitional kindergarten (TK) bridges the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten years. It is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that has been implemented in California for children who are not old enough yet for kindergarten, but want to build their social, developmental, and academic skills. TK is offered at select SFUSD early education and elementary schools.
Best for Families Who Want
Structured part-day programming offering transition into an elementary school location and priority for continued enrollment at that school or a feeder location.
Ages of Children
Kids must be at least 4 by 9/2 of the school year they wish to enroll
About
Early Learning For All provides financial support for early care and education that is available across a wide variety of small businesses, community-based organizations, and school district service providers. We call the combination of all of these high-quality program options our mixed delivery system for early learning. The mixed delivery system recognizes that families know what’s best for their children by offering access to a wide range of high-quality early education options, including center-based programs, family child care homes, Head Start, SFUSD Preschool, and TK. Together, these programs work to provide families with meaningful choice and high-quality early learning.