Early Education and Care

Children are playing with colorful clay at a white table in the foreground, while adults and other children are blurred in the background of a classroom.

Early education and care can help your child learn, grow and thrive from the very start. These programs nurture children’s curiosity, creativity, and love of learning. This page can help you find infant care and pre-kindergarten programs.In California, we have Universal Pre-Kindergarten, which ensures that San Mateo County families of all incomes have high-quality early education and child care options. There are four main programs in Universal Pre-Kindergarten: San Mateo County Office of Education Preschool, State Preschool, Head Start (federal), Private/Family/Community Childcare, and Transitional Kindergarten which is offered at public schools. All of these programs can help your child with:

Social-emotional skills: Sharing, taking turns, following directions
Language and communication: Expressing needs, storytelling, listening
Early literacy: Recognizing letters, hearing sounds, enjoying books
Math concepts: Counting, sorting, patterns
Motor skills: Using pencils/scissors, climbing, running

Find an Early Education Provider

This Month's Vacancies

County Office of Education Preschool

Head Start in San Mateo County

State Preschool for Low-Income Families

Transitional Kindergarten

Directories and Referrals

4Cs ChildCare Coordinating Council publishes a monthly list of Infant Care and Preschool Vacancies in San Mateo County (updated monthly)

My Childcare Plan.org lets you search for a childcare provider by location and license number, and provides licensing reports.

Directory of San Mateo County Programs: Produced by the San Mateo County Office of Education, this directory has detailed contact information for Universal Pre-Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten contacts (updated 2024)

Financial Support

Explore your Universal PreKindergarten Options

Universal Pre-Kindergarten General Information

Preescolar Universal Descripción General

Preschool Centers, Family Childcare, Community Programs, Public School Transitional Kindergarten

Name	Age in years	Description	Schedule	Cost	Additional Information
SMCOE Preschool Visit: Anne Campbell Child Development Center	3 and 4	Preschool program run through the San Mateo County Office of Education	Full-day options available	Free or low-cost, based on income eligibility and other factors	Free or low-cost, based on income eligibility and other factors
State Preschool Visit: Finding Preschools and Child Care	3 and 4	Preschool program run through contracts from the State of California	Full-day options available	Free or low-cost, based on income eligibility and other factors	Free or low-cost, based on income eligibility and other factors
Head Start Visit: mychildcareplan.org and complete the “Get Started” questionnaire	3 and 4	Federally-funded preschool program	Full-day options available	Free, based on income eligibility	Free, based on income eligibility
Private, Family Childcare, and Community Programs Visit: mychildcareplan.org and complete the “Get Started” questionnaire	3 and 4	Full-day options available	Hours determined by individual preschool providers	Fees determined by individual providers. Vouchers and financial assistance may be available through the Childcare Coordinating Council (4Cs of San Mateo County)	Fees determined by individual providers. Vouchers and financial assistance may be available through the Childcare Coordinating Council (4Cs of San Mateo County)
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Visit: California's Universal Pre Kindergarten Site	4 depending on birthday	Part of the public elementary school system that takes place the year before kindergarten	Full-day options available, varies by school	Free, regardless of income	Eligibility is based on your child’s birthdate. Check with your local district for current cutoff dates and enrollment information.

Choosing a Program

Programs vary in cost, schedules, teaching approaches, and services, so it’s helpful to know your options and ask questions.

Teaching Approaches

Play-Based: Learning through hands-on activities, exploration, and social interaction.
Montessori: Self-directed learning with hands-on materials to foster independence.
Reggio Emilia: Project-based, child-led learning emphasizing creativity and collaboration.
Waldorf: Arts-integrated, experiential learning supporting the whole child.
Bilingual/Dual Language: Instruction in two languages to support cognitive and cultural development.

Age Requirements and Toileting

Licensing and Safety

Licensed Programs: Meet state health, safety, and staffing requirements (child care centers, family child care homes).
Licensed-Exempt Programs: Include care by relatives, friends, or neighbors. Flexible, but they do not have the same oversight.

📌 Tip: Ask about licensing, staff training, safety procedures, and program structure to ensure quality care.

Hours, Before/After School Care, and Summer Programs

Programs vary in their daily schedules:

Part-Day or Full-Day: Some offer short sessions, while others provide a full day of care.
Before/After School Care: Some programs offer wraparound services to support working families.
Summer Care: Some Pre-K programs close for summer, while others offer year-round care or summer camps.

📌 Tip: Always check schedules, closures, and program hours to make sure they fit your family’s needs.

Other Options

Family, Friend, or Neighbor Care: Trusted family members, friends, or neighbors can care for children in a familiar environment.
Nanny Care: Nannies provide one-on-one care at home, giving children personalized attention.
Playgroups and Community Programs: Local playgroups, park-and-recreation programs, and library activities give children chances to play, explore, and make friends.
Home School: Families who homeschool can create a learning plan that fits their child’s interests and developmental pace.

Child care vouchers and other financial assistance for those who qualify may be available! Contact Childcare Coordinating Council (4Cs of San Mateo County) to learn more.

Please help us spread the word about UPK

View the San Mateo County Child Care Partnership Council's plan (in Spanish and Chinese) to create a system where children can attend preschool before starting kindergarten. Use this promotional toolkit to help spread the word!

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