CONNECT with the CityEarly Learning and Child Care
Family and Workforce Connection Center
Cultivating a Care-Friendly City
Families across San Diego face challenges accessing early care and education for their young children, in terms of availability and affordability. These challenges may prevent a parent or caregiver from achieving their own professional or educational goals as well as limiting their child’s opportunities for quality early learning experiences that meet the families’ needs. The child care workforce also faces real challenges to meet earn sufficient wages and maintain business sustainability. The City of San Diego focuses on shared community values that support an increase of safe, affordable, early care and education opportunities in America’s Finest City.
The Office of Child and Youth Success supports 5 Pillars to effectively assist in early childhood education opportunities: OFFER (Operations, Facilities, Funding, Education, Recruitment).
Operations
Support in launching and operating a family child care home or a child care facility are well-documented needs in San Diego.
Facilities
Ensuring that the City of San Diego is considering early education space when designing and permitting new developments and affordable housing is a priority of the Office of Child and Youth Success. The City is consistently looking at surplus property and developing opportunities. The Office of Child and Youth Success is a partner in local planning to assist in removing barriers to entry for those currently or desiring to provide childcare space.
Permit and Inspection Resources
County of San Diego Resources
A Community Win-Win: Co-Locating Child care with Affordable Housing in San Diego County
The Children First Collective has published a report for San Diego County offering solutions to the co-location of child care and affordable housing. Find the report here.
Funding
Working with community partners to determine funding opportunities and pathways to support families and organizations desiring to enter the child early education provider space.
Education
Safeguarding educational pathways for teachers desiring to foster early education learning and supporting organizations and families eager for continued learning opportunities.
Recruitment
Removing barriers for organizations needing support with early education recruitment fairs and outreach. Organizations can take advantage of City libraries and recreation centers to hold recruitment fairs.
Resources and Alignment
Learn more about the available Retention Stipend for child care providers in San Diego County.
Start a Child Care Business
- Child Care Businesses Information & Planning Guide
- NEGOCIOS DE CUIDADO DE NIÑOS GUÍA DE INFORMACIÓN Y PLANIFICACIÓN (Spanish)
- 托儿企业 信息与规划指南 (Chinese)
- رهنمای پلانگذاری و معلومات کسب و کارهای نگهداری از طفل (Dari)
- GANACSIGA DARYEELKA CARRUURTA MACLUUMAADKA & HAGAHA QORSHEYNTA (Somali)
- MGA NEGOSYO sa PANGANGALAGA NG BATA IMPORMASYON AT GABAY SA PAGPAPLANO (Tagalog)
- NGÀNH DỊCH VỤ CHĂM SÓC GIỮ TRẺ THÔNG TIN & HƯỚNG DẪN LẬP KẾ HOẠCH (Vietnamese)
Local Resources and Alignment
San Diego Child Care Blueprint
The Blueprint provides an action plan for stakeholders across the County, including the City of San Diego’s Office of Child and Youth Success, to work toward the vision that San Diego County is a place where every family has access to child care that meet their geographic, scheduling, cultural, language, and economic needs; the child care provider workforce is highly valued and financially thriving; and all types of child care settings support children’s healthy development. Find the Blueprint here.
Child Care & Development Planning Council (LPC) Updates
Current Resources Shared by LPC
- Workforce Investment Program Tuition Assistance
- Spring CHI Classes at Miramar
- Family Child Care at its Best (FCCB) Workshop Curriculum Courses
- Early Childhood Inclusive Practices Certificate Course
- Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) Academy for Family Child Care and Family Friend and Neighbor Caregivers