A new online site launched Monday to help San Francisco families navigate the city’s daycare programs, preschools and financial assistance options.
The portal allows parents to find and apply for free and low-cost childcare options across the city, as well as check their eligibility for financial aid. Earlier this year, San Francisco expanded eligibility for free childcare to families earning up to 150% of area median income, about $240,000 for a family of four. Some families earning above that threshold may still qualify for partial subsidies.
Mayor Daniel Lurie’s childcare access focus is part of his “Family Opportunity” agenda, an initiative he launched in January to try to make San Francisco more affordable. The push comes as Democrats across the country focus on an affordability message, hoping to gain momentum with voters.
We are bringing down the cost of living so families can build a life in San Francisco. Now, more families can access affordable childcare — and our new portal will make it easy,” Lurie said in a statement. “Making childcare affordable lifts a huge burden for parents and strengthens the future of our entire city.”
Childcare costs can take a huge chunk out of parents’ paychecks, with a recent Stanford University study showing the average, per-child cost nearing $12,000 a year across California. The study also showed that the Bay Area is the most expensive region for childcare in the state.
San Francisco is home to a network of more than 550 affordable or free early childcare centers and preschool programs, which served about 9,200 children during 2024-25, according to city data.
The portal, which offers parents the ability to search for childcare options based on preferences including location, schedule and language, replaces the city’s older, more fragmented website that was created nearly a decade ago.
“Expanding eligibility for low-cost childcare is a major step toward making San Francisco more affordable for families, but the benefit only works if families can find it, understand it, and use it,” said Ingrid Mezquita, the executive director of the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood, in a statement. “We looked closely at the parent experience and designed a new portal that makes it easier for families to access childcare.
The portal can be accessed at sf.gov/childcare.