Types of child care in San Francisco
San Francisco has 892 licensed child care facilities. Here are the main types available to families:
Family Child Care Homes Licensed
Licensed providers care for children in their own home. Small groups (up to 8 or 14 children) mean more individual attention and secure, consistent relationships — especially important for infants and toddlers. Many providers are multilingual and offer flexible hours.
Ages: 0–12 | Group size: 6–14 | Cost: $1,800–$2,200/mo
~900 family child care homes in SF — find openings
Child Care Centers Licensed
Larger facilities with multiple classrooms and staff, typically organized by age group. Some centers have long waitlists, especially for infants. Many participate in state-funded programs like CSPP (California State Preschool) for ages 3–5.
Ages: 0–5 | Group size: 12–30+ | Cost: $2,200–$3,000+/mo
370 child care centers in SF
Family, Friend, or Neighbor Care
A grandparent, aunt, neighbor, or trusted community member cares for your child. This is the most common arrangement for many families, especially when licensed care is unavailable or culturally unfamiliar. License-exempt, but no state oversight or financial assistance through ELFA.
Ages: Any | Cost: Varies (often informal)
Nanny or Nanny Share
A nanny cares for your child in your home, or two or more families share a nanny and split the cost. Not licensed or regulated — parents are the employer. No ELFA coverage.
Ages: 0–5 | Group size: 1–4 | Cost: $1,500–$2,500+/mo per family
How much does child care cost in San Francisco?
Child care is one of the biggest expenses for SF families. Here's what full-time care typically costs:
| Type of Care | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family child care home | $1,800–$2,200 | Often lower for toddlers/preschool |
| Child care center (infant) | $2,500–$3,200 | Highest cost due to low ratios |
| Child care center (toddler/preschool) | $2,000–$2,800 | Varies widely by program |
| Nanny or nanny share | $1,500–$2,500+ | Per family; no ELFA coverage |
The good news: Most San Francisco families now qualify for free or reduced-cost care through the city's Early Learning For All (ELFA) program. A family of four earning up to $233,800/year qualifies for free care.
California also has many other subsidy programs — CSPP, Head Start, CalWORKs, and more. See the complete guide to child care subsidy programs or learn about SF financial assistance →
How to find child care with openings
Finding care in SF can be challenging — many programs have waitlists of 6 months or more, especially for infants. Here are the best ways to find openings:
1. SF FCC Vacancy Registry
Search licensed family child care providers with current openings. Filter by neighborhood, age group, language, and schedule. Updated by providers in real time.
Search providers with openings →
2. Resource & Referral agencies
These agencies help match families with child care and process financial assistance applications:
- Children's Council of SF — (415) 343-3300 — childrenscouncil.org
- Wu Yee Children's Services — (844) 644-4300 — wuyee.org
- Compass Family Services — (415) 644-0504 x 2330 (for families experiencing homelessness)
3. Start early
If you're expecting, begin your search during pregnancy. For centers, apply to multiple waitlists. For family child care, check the vacancy registry — openings are available more frequently.
Child care by San Francisco neighborhood
Child care availability varies across the city. Some neighborhoods have strong family child care networks; others face acute shortages. We're building neighborhood-specific guides — here are the areas with the most family child care providers:
Frequently asked questions
How much does child care cost in San Francisco?
Full-time child care in San Francisco costs $1,500 to $3,000+ per month depending on the type. Family child care homes average $1,800–$2,200/month, while centers often exceed $2,500/month for infants. However, most SF families qualify for free or reduced-cost care through the ELFA program. A family of four earning up to $233,800/year qualifies for free care.
What types of child care are available in San Francisco?
San Francisco has four main types of child care: licensed child care centers (larger group settings), family child care homes (small groups in a provider's home, typically 6–14 children), preschool programs (ages 3–5, often part-day), and nanny shares (two or more families sharing a nanny). The city has 892 licensed child care facilities, including over 500 in the ELFA financial assistance network.
How long are child care waitlists in San Francisco?
Waitlists for centers can be 6 months to 2+ years, especially for infants. Family child care homes typically have shorter waitlists and more frequent openings. The SF FCC Vacancy Registry shows providers accepting children now.
Is family child care safe?
Yes. Family child care homes in California are licensed and inspected by the state. Providers must pass background checks, complete health and safety training, maintain pediatric CPR/first aid certification, and follow required adult-to-child ratios. Learn more about FCC vs. centers →
Can I get free child care in San Francisco?
Most SF families qualify. Through ELFA, families of four earning up to $233,800/year get free care. Lower-income families may also qualify for Head Start or CalWORKs. See all financial assistance programs →
What age can my child start child care?
Most child care programs accept children starting at 6 weeks to 3 months old. Family child care providers often accept younger infants than centers. Read our infant care guide →
What should I look for when choosing child care?
Key factors: valid California license, adult-to-child ratios, communication style, daily schedule, outdoor space, meals provided, flexibility for your schedule, and whether the provider participates in the ELFA network (so you can use financial assistance).
How do I find child care with openings in San Francisco?
The SF Family Child Care Vacancy Registry shows licensed family child care providers with current openings. You can filter by neighborhood, age group, and language. For broader searches including centers, contact Children's Council of San Francisco at (415) 343-3300 or Wu Yee Children's Services at (844) 644-4300.
Find child care with openings
Search licensed family child care providers accepting children now in San Francisco.
Browse Providers with Openings