Mayor Lurie Expands Access to Affordable After-School Care for San Francisco Families, Following Major Expansion of Early Childcare

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced a significant expansion of after-school opportunities for San Francisco children, continuing efforts to make the city welcoming for families. Through this expansion, the Recreation and Park Department is growing its after-school programs by more than 20% across its 19 sites—now providing nearly 650 spots for San Francisco young people to access homework support and enrichment activities in safe and welcoming environments after school.

The after-school expansion continues the progress made under Mayor Lurie’s Family Opportunity Agenda to make San Francisco more welcoming for families. Already, San Francisco is on track to be the first major city in the U.S. where every family with kids under five has access to childcare. Through Mayor Lurie’s Family Zoning plan and a transformative investment proposed for affordable housing, the city is working to drive new housing creation so San Franciscans can afford to raise their kids here. And investments in public spaces across the city are helping neighborhoods and families thrive: Mayor Lurie opened the newly rebuilt Eugene L. Friend Recreation Center in the South of Market neighborhood early this month, after opening the Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Play Area in May. 

“We want San Francisco to be a city where kids and families can thrive. Our office is taking steps every day to tackle the major costs families face so we can make that possible,” said Mayor Lurie. “Affordable, quality after-school care allows families to put down roots and build a life in San Francisco. It helps parents save money so they can cover other expenses, and it gives them peace of mind that, while they’re at work, their children are safe and learning. When we make parents’ lives easier, we help our kids learn and grow, and we build a stronger future for our city.”

The Recreation and Park Department hosts after-school programming at recreation centers, clubhouses, and the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Tennis Center in Golden Gate Park. Each site is connected to nearby schools. All programs provide academic support, including homework help, and individual sites offer various supplemental activities such as tennis and other sports, STEM, art, and outdoor nature exploration.

“Providing affordable, enriching programs for San Francisco families is at the heart of what we do,” said Sarah Madland, General Manager, Recreation and Park Department. “Expanding enrollment creates more flexibility for working families and also means more children will have a safe and welcoming place to go after the school day ends—where they can get support in the classroom, discover new interests, build confidence, and make lasting friendships.” 

To help ensure all families have access to after-school care regardless of income, Recreation and Park offers financial assistance to eligible San Francisco families through its Recreation Scholarship Program. Established in 2007, the program provides discounts of 50 to 100 percent on registration fees, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to participation.

“For families, having access to affordable, high-quality after-school care can make such a difference. Our programs give kids a safe and supportive place to go after school, where they can get help with schoolwork and try new activities like tennis that build up their confidence,” said Maggie Scott, Tennis Learning Center Coordinator. “Just as important are the relationships our staff build with children and their families. By creating more space in our programs, we’re excited to welcome more kids, support more families, and build even stronger connections in our communities.”

Recreation and Park's expansion is part of broader citywide investments in after-school care. The Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families provides more than $30 million in funding for over 60 different Out of School Time programs—which include after-school and summer programs—serving over 17,000 students. San Francisco Unified School District also offers after-school programs in 87 elementary, K-8, middle and high schools across San Francisco neighborhoods.  

“Affordable after-school care is core to keeping working families in San Francisco,” said San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman. “This expansion means more kids have a safe place to learn and grow, and more parents have the peace of mind that comes with knowing dependable care is there every day.”

“Out-of-school programming is essential for families to thrive in our city. Offering more access to safe places for kids after school provides peace of mind for working parents and offers countless possibilities for imaginative exploration,” said District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar. “Numerous studies have shown that quality afterschool enrichment programs, which are supported by our Department of Children, Youth and Their Families and Recreation and Park Department, lead to much better outcomes for our kids, helping them succeed in school and encouraging them to connect with their peers and community. I look forward to more opportunities so that every child is granted these opportunities.”

“District 11 is home to one of the largest populations of children under 14 in San Francisco, and many of our families rely on affordable after-school care. This expansion is an important investment in our children and working families—and in making San Francisco a truly family- and children-friendly city where families can stay and thrive,” said District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen.  

“When San Francisco’s families are supported, our city thrives. This major investment in after-school programs will create more opportunities for learning and recreation closer to home,” said District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “This expansion of affordable after-school care means our Recreation & Park facilities can be home to more moments of joy while supporting working families.”

“Supporting families and children goes beyond the school day. This expansion is critical to ensuring that families can start, grow and stay through all stages of life right here in San Francisco,” said District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill.

“The school day ends hours before the workday does. For thousands of San Francisco parents, affordable after-school care isn’t a convenience. It’s what makes it possible to work, provide for their families, and stay in this city,” said District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong. “Expanding these programs is an investment in both our children and the families raising them, giving young people safe and enriching places to learn, play, and grow while giving parents greater peace of mind. When we make it easier to raise a family in San Francisco, we make our city stronger for generations to come.”

“Affordability is an issue I hear about consistently from families across District 5, especially those with school-aged children. Expanding public investment in after-school activities at sites like Hamilton Rec Center in the Western Addition eases the cost burden on hundreds of families and demonstrates a strong commitment to the enrichment of our younger generations,” said District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood.

“Affordable childcare helps families thrive in our city. Through this years’ budget process, we have finally delivered on the long promised, voter mandated, assistance for San Francisco families,” said District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan. “One of my first acts as Supervisor was to provide free summer care for children as we recovered from the pandemic. Today we are continuing to build on that work and break down barriers for our families.”