County Office Opens Preschool Enrollment to All Families

Published May 29, 2025

Redwood City, CA —The San Mateo County Office of Education has announced that it is expanding its inclusive preschool program, the Anne Campbell Child Development Center, by opening enrollment to children of all ability levels and families of all incomes. Prior to this announcement, all families were required to meet the state's income eligibility requirements, but now any family, at any income level, may apply. 

San Mateo County faces a significant shortage of high-quality, inclusive preschool and early learning programs, impacting families, educators, and the broader community. Located in San Mateo, the Child Development Center addresses this need with a play-based approach to individualized instruction. The program promotes social-emotional development and engages children through project-based, investigative learning. The Child Development Center is rated in the highest tier of the Quality Counts San Mateo rating scale.

What Makes the Child Development Center Unique

• Children of all abilities and families of all income levels are welcome
• A highly skilled team that has been with the Center for many years, meaning that staff are experienced and can quickly identify and address children’s needs
• Deep community connections and strong relationships with districts enable staff to leverage resources and help families find the resources they need

“Preschool is the foundation upon which all future learning is built,” said San Mateo County Superintendent Nancy Magee. “Our goal is to ensure all children feel a sense of belonging, develop friendships, and receive the support they need to thrive. We embrace and promote the uniqueness of every child and work individually with each student to determine their best learning styles.”

Operated by the San Mateo County Office of Education, the Child Development Center will now enroll fee-based students in its part-day and full-day program while continuing to provide subsidies for eligible children through the California Department of Education’s State Preschool Program. The program is licensed by the California Department of Social Services (license #414004898), serving children ages two years and nine months, through five years old.

The Child Development Center’s curriculum provides developmentally appropriate experiences that support the development of academic and social-emotional skills needed for lifelong learning. The Child Development Center utilizes inclusive practices and supports in its preschool classrooms, and teachers, families, and service providers regularly collaborate to ensure all children can thrive. Teachers conduct developmental screenings and ongoing child assessments to inform and implement individual plans that elevate each child’s strengths and intentionally target instructional opportunities in areas of growth. 

The Child Development Center also promotes learning by building a sense of community within the classroom. The environment is designed to be navigable by young children, promoting independence and allowing children to make meaningful choices within established boundaries. Children learn to become critical thinkers by engaging in dialogue and extending their learning experiences. 

In addition to providing high-quality, welcoming, and nurturing preschool experiences, The Child Development Center is located on Tower Road, near Highways 280 and 92, making it centrally located for families commuting from the coast or up and down the Peninsula.

“We have amazing staff, which is what makes the program high quality,” said Heather Logan, Principal, Early Childhood Education and Related Services. “These incredible people are passionate about serving children and ensuring they build the skills to succeed in their educational futures.”

More information about the Child Development Center can be found on the San Mateo County Office of Education website. 

Tours of the Child Development Center at the Anne Campbell Center will take place every Tuesday and Thursday through the end of June. To learn more, please visit www.smcoe.org/accdc. To schedule a tour, please contact the staff by email at accinfo@smcoe.org or phone at (650) 620-4183.

About the San Mateo County Office of Education

The San Mateo County Office of Education is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, receives excellence and equity in education. The County Office of Education supports 84,000 students across 23 local school districts by providing services that can be done more efficiently and economically at the county level. These include instructional and technical support, programs for students with significant disabilities and those in the juvenile court system, and development of the education workforce. A leader in environmental literacy, the County Office of Education delivers innovative, high-impact lessons that empower students to address real-world sustainability challenges. Through the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities, which reflects a broad collaboration of community partners, the County Office of Education provides safe and supportive school services that benefit students, families, and the broader community.