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Early Education Enrollment

The Early Education Department (EED) has different types of programs that are available for families.   We provide part day/part time and full time programs. We are able to provide different programs for your child because we receive funding from different sources.   Each program has different qualifications and below are brief descriptions of each program.

Our core program funding is provided by: the California Department of Education, Child Development Division; the San Francisco Unified School District; the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Parent/Guardian fees.  We also receive enhancement funds from the following organizations: Pre School For All, Head Start, and Foundation Funds (Haas, etc.).  Each funding source has its own regulations and compliance rules for us to abide by.

Subsidized Care

The California State Department of Public Instruction provides aid to low income families with identified needs in order for them to obtain child care for their children in publically funded Early Education Department programs.  The lowest income families with regulatory needs have priority to receive the subsidized care.

Tuition Based Care (Full Cost)

Families who do not qualify for subsidized care can pay a full fee (referred to as "Tuition") for care in the EED.  Tuition Based families do not have to meet a ‘need’ requirement.  Tuition Based and Subsidized children are in the same classrooms and receive the same services.

Types of Services

We provide Part-Day Preschool Education (3 hrs and 45 minutes); Part-Time Preschool Education and Child Care (4 hrs - 6.5 hrs); Full-Time Preschool Education and Child Care (6.5 - 10 hrs plus); and we provide School-Age After-School Care (3 - 4 hrs) and full-time care during winter, spring and summer breaks.

Title V (Subsidized Care)

Families may request that the application be mailed to them or can come into the office to pick it up and/or receive assistance from one of our enrollment clerks to complete and leave it for processing.  You can also go on-line to the SFCEL and complete an application.

The family must meet the following criteria to have their application processed by the EED:

  • Be income eligible.
  • The child must reach his/her third birthday by December 2 of the year they wish to enroll the child. (For Pre-K)
  • Parents/Guardians must meet at least one of the need requirements.
  • Must have proof that the Parents/Guardians are a California resident.

Once the Parents/Guardians complete and submit the application, the EED enrollment clerk will place the family on the San Francisco Childcare Eligibility List (SFCEL).  SFCEL will send the family a letter confirming that the family is on the list.  The family then must wait until one of the three neighborhoods that they have identified has a school with an opening. The EED enrollment office will then contact the family to come to the enrollment office to begin the enrollment process.  The family must come in to enroll their child within 10 working days of being notified or the space cannot be held. The Enrollment Clerk will tell the Parent/Guardian to bring the following documentation to the Enrollment Interview:

  • Official Identification (driver’s licenses, passport, birth certificate, etc.)
  • Proof of Address (must be in California)
  • The Child’s Birth Certificate
  • SFUSD Health form with proof of Immunization and Physical Examination
  • Personal Information form
  • Income Verification (two recent consecutive check stubs, AFDC grant award letter, Social Security Benefits, child support, etc)
  • Training Verification form (if applicable).  Subsidized only.

If the family does not enroll, they will be placed back on the SFCEL waiting list.

Title I, Part Day California State Preschool Program (CSPP), Head Start, Preschool For All Programs operate from August to June, Monday through Friday. Lunch is served daily.

Title I Pre-K Program Qualifications

Any child whose Kindergarten school of assignment by address is identified as an ESEA Title I Pre-K can apply. Child must be 4 years of age by December 2, in the year that the child is enrolling. First priority will be given to families with the lowest per capita income.

Part Day CSPP Preschool Qualifications

Families cannot exceed the income ceilings established by the State Department of Education. First priority will be given to families with the lowest per capita income that want to enroll a 4 year old child.

Head Start Program Qualifications

Families cannot exceed the income ceilings established by Head Start. Family must reside in San Francisco and income must fall within Head Start guidelines for low income.Child must be 3 years of age.

Preschool For All Program Qualifications

Child must be 4 years of age by December 2, in the year that the child is enrolling. Family must reside in San Francisco

Cost

The basic costs of the program are paid through Federal or State funds. There are no parent fees.

For Title I, CSPP Part Day Preschool, Head Start, Preschool For All Program registration

  1. Obtain a registration application from the school or from Rm 4 at 20 Cook St
  2. Complete the registration application

 And attach copy of:

  • Child's birth certificate
  • Child's physical exam including immunization record (must be up-to-date) Child must have 3 polio, 4 DPT, 1 HIB, 1 MMR (given after 1st birthday), Hepatitis B series and a TB test, with results, within the last year. All shots must be documented by a physician or medical
  • Family's current proof of income (current check stubs for all members of the family who receive income).
  • Proof of residence - current utility bill or CA driver's license with name and address

This information must be sent to:
Early Education Department Enrollment Office
20 Cook St. Room 4
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 750-8500

You will be notified by mail if your child qualifies for placement in either program.

Other Early Education Department Enrollment Forms:

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