Meet San Francisco’s Department of Early Childhood.
We partner with all of the adults who care for young children, so that together we can create healthier, happier, and more imaginative childhoods. And that makes the city a better place to live for us all.
Putting the pieces together so children can soar.
In 2023, DEC made San Francisco an even better place for families.
Parents, we're here for you.
Parenting is hard sometimes. That’s why we put parents at the center of what we do. DEC is the City department solely dedicated to our youngest children. We work to support San Francisco families through partnerships, family services, and early childhood programs. As a result, we are making it easier to raise young children in the city we love.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
Growing together in early childhood.
Our city is committed to early childhood strategies that have the power to impact the health and well-being of our youngest residents positively. The DEC strategic plan results from a community-wide effort and represents our commitment to transforming belief into action.
News & Updates
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
Press Release: Mayor Breed’s Children and Family Recovery Plan Delivers Major Results in Early Care and Education
This press release was originally published February 27, 2024 on SF.GOV. Read the original here. Landmark educator pay initiative and investments in facilities and vouchers for low-income families has dramatically doubled
First of its Kind Longitudinal Study Reaffirms DEC’s Investments to Support Kindergarten Readiness
A new study that followed San Francisco Unified School District students from the time they entered kindergarten until they turned eighteen, demonstrates the critical importance of investing in children and
In 2023, DEC Made San Francisco an Even Better Place for Families
This year, we changed the game for parents in our city. Our new strategic plan, published this year, set the stage for lots of innovative and impactful new initiatives to
Press Release: Nature-filled Play Areas Coming to Child Care Sites Across San Francisco
Benefits include better mental health and creativity. SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Ten San Francisco child care centers and family child care homes have been transformed into nature-filled oases that inspire
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
Popping-Up with the People: Bringing Information, Resources and Joy to the Bayview Pop-Up Village’s Youth Future Zone
The Pop-Up Village is a site activation project that harnesses the power of design to bring together people and programs in vibrant and thoughtfully selected public spaces. Its mission is