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
DEC’s Year in Review
As we begin the new year, we reflect on our collective accomplishments in 2022. In our initial year as a new city department, DEC has established itself as a strong
Ingrid Mezquita on what DEC means to San Francisco’s families and providers
San Francisco’s newest city agency is the Department of Early Childhood(DEC). This Department, which merges the former San Francisco Office of Early Care & Education with First 5 San Francisco,
San Francisco Launches New Department of Early Childhood
Our new department provides children under six and their families with a robust early childhood system of support and dedicates nearly $300 million to support early educators, children, and…
New Department, Renewed Commitment
We have officially merged First 5 San Francisco and the San Francisco Office of Early Care & Education to create the Department of Early Childhood. We are very excited for
Mayor London Breed Announces $50.7 Million Investment Over Two Years in Children and Family Recovery Plan in Proposed Budget
Mayor London N. Breed announced a planned $50.7 million in her upcoming two year budget to fund four recommendations from her Children and Family Recovery Plan, announced in February 2022.
Mayor Breed Announces Landmark Pay Raise Initiative for Early Educators in City-Funded Programs
$60 million in annual city funding through the Office of Early Care and Education will significantly raise educator wages as part of ongoing effort to strengthen and expand City’s support
SF’s Workforce Compensation Initiative Provides a Blueprint for Other Cities
DEC’s Workforce Compensation initiative is providing a blueprint for other cities looking to increase early educator compensation! In a recent report from Bank Street College of Education, Paths Forward to
Early Intervention and Specialized Services System of Care Request for Grant Applications is Now Open!
The Department of Early Childhood is guided by long-standing research, which shows that the first five years are a critical time of growth and development for young children. Thus, it
Family Resource Center Request For Grant Applications is Open!
It is with excitement and gratitude that the Department of Early Childhood (DEC) announces the launch of the fourth funding cycle for the Family Resource Center Initiative and this corresponding