The Magic Continues at DEC’s Second Infant/Toddler Conference

Over 200 early childhood educators, coaches, consultants, and advocates gathered on June 7 and 8 for San Francisco’s second infant/toddler conference, hosted by DEC and WestEd. The event was an […]
Engaging Communities: A Blueprint for Happier, Healthier, More Imaginative Childhoods

When we launched DEC, we did so with a strategic plan that clearly lays out our mission, what we’ll do to achieve it, and why. A significant part of our […]
National Leadership through Local Action: House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark Look to DEC as a Model for Early Childhood Investment.

Image Description: From left to right: Jerry Yang, Executive Director, Kai Ming Head Start; Monique Guidry, Owner, Guidry Early Child Care and Education Program; Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita, United States […]
The Power of Connection in Education: Highlights from the Attachment Innovation Challenge

Over the weekend, DEC hosted the “Attachment Innovation Challenge” in collaboration with our funded partners at WestEd. This event encouraged early educators to devise creative solutions to foster secure attachment […]
Building a Coordinated System of Care Through Strong Relationships: Family Resource Center and Early Care and Education Staff Meet, Greet, and Share

DEC was created to better align and coordinate all City-funded supports available to families with children from prenatal to five. Funding and oversight of critical family supports like the Family […]
A Brighter Future for San Francisco’s Children: Early Education Milestones and Aspirations

Every half-decade, the San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC), in partnership with the Department of Early Childhood (DEC), undertakes a significant endeavor: crafting a comprehensive needs assessment […]
Expanding Access to Quality Child Care in San Francisco: Financial Support for Early Learning Programs

San Francisco has always been at the forefront when it comes to prioritizing early childhood education and ensuring that every child has access to high-quality care. In a remarkable move, […]
LISTEN: Child Care is Getting More Affordable in S.F. with DEC’s Wei-min Wang

In an interview on KQED’s podcast, The Bay, Wei-min Wang from our team, recently shared how Child Care is Getting More Affordable in S.F. Listen here! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452?i=1000613049906 Child care is […]
En route to a thriving early childhood system in San Francisco

San Francisco has many programs and agencies aiming to serve our city’s babies and young children, but they could be more coordinated. As a result, agencies, providers, and families are […]
Announcing Our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan

More than three years ago, when First 5 San Francisco (First 5 SF) and the San Francisco Office of Early Care and Education (OECE) first began planning together and exploring […]