Our Early Childhood Education provides a continuum of care, beginning at birth. These multigenerational programs are led by skilled staff in supportive learning environments so that children and parents/caregivers can grow together.

We offer free and reduced-rate programs so that families have access to high-quality early childhood education. Visit our Program Calendar to see our current schedule of classes.

Tummy Time Playgroup
0-18 Months + Caregiver

  • Songs, stories, and fun activities that support babies’ healthy attachment to others

  • Parents/caregivers learn together ways to nurture their child’s social, emotional, and motor skill development

  • Visitacion Valley Center: Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:00 am • Register here

  • Registration opens at 9 am on the 28th of each month.

First Steps Playgroup
6-36 Months + Caregiver

  • Families work together on projects to support their healthy bonding and attachment with one another.

  • Teachers provide multilingual support so children can develop cognitive and emotional skills and build friendships with other children.

  • Activities include free play time, literacy education, arts and crafts, dancing, cooking classes, nature-based learning, and games.

  • Portola Center: Mondays + Wednesdays, 9:00 – 10:30 am • Register here

  • Excelsior Center: Tuesdays + Thursdays, 9:00 – 10:30 am • Register here

  • Visitacion Valley Center: Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:00 am • Register here

  • Registration opens at 9 am on the 28th of each month.

Pop N Play
2.5-3.5 Years + Caregiver

  • Children and parents/caregivers have fun together, while caregivers learn how to support their child’s learning and skill development.

  • Activities focus on pre-literacy, arts and crafts, cooking and nutrition, exercise, math, and family bonding.

  • Pop N Play is a great introduction to our collaborative learning programs, and helps families prepare for Pre-K.

  • EXCELSIOR: January, March, May, July, September, November
    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
    Registration opens at 9 am on the 28th, the month before.

    PORTOLA: February, April, June, August, October, December
    Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
    Registration opens at 9 am on the 28th, the month before.

Pre-K Programs
Children 3-5 Years

  • Pre-K is a play-based program that prepares children for kindergarten, with lessons in math, literacy, arts, science, and enrichment activities.

  • Classrooms have a low teacher-to-child ratio with credentialed, bilingual teachers that support children’s creativity.

  • Children develop social-emotional skills to become independent and inquisitive learners, and regular library visits support early literacy skills.

  • Our preschools are Early Learning For All (ELFA) centers with the SF Department of Early Childhood. For more information on how to apply for free or subsidized childcare and preschool, including ELS, visit sfdec.org/early-learning-for-all.