JOIN EARLY LEARNING FOR ALL

The open application period for 2025 will begin May 1st.

Starting in 2025, DEC has moved from a rolling application to an open application period every May-July. This annual cycle will help us streamline the quality validation process and Early Learning For All Quality Standards. It will also help ensure we are taking a data-informed and equity-centered approach to network expansion. Eligibility criteria to apply to the network will not change but programs that fill geographic, demographic, and age-based capacity gaps in our network will be prioritized for DEC program officer support and validation each cycle.

More information on the updated application and validation process will be available in the coming months. Please check back soon! In the meantime, you can review the Early Learning For All eligibility requirements and information on how to set up your California ECE Workforce Registry account below to prepare for the open application period.

Eligibility Requirements

Who is eligible to apply?

In order to apply for the Early Learning For All network you must: 

  • Be a licensed Family Child Care home or Early Education Center located in San Francisco serving children ages birth to five. 
  • Be in good standing with California Community Care Licensing Division  
  • Have at least two children enrolled
  • Meet teaching qualifications as follows:
    • FCC: 12 ECE Units*, including nine units of core classes (Child Growth and Development, Intro to Early Childhood Curriculum, and Child, Family, and Community) and three ECE elective units for educator providing instruction and supervision to the children.
    • Center Lead Teachers: 24 units of ECE/CD plus 16 units of General Education or CA CTC Teacher Permit
    • Center Director: Associates degree with 24 units of ECE with 6 units management/administration and two units supervision or CA CTC Site Supervisor Permit
  • Meet ratio and group size requirements as follows:
    • FCC: California Community Care Licensing Guidelines
    • Centers:
      • Infant (0-15 months) 1:4, class size 8, CCTR class size 9
      • Toddler (12-36 months) 1:6, class size 12
      • Preschool (30 months-5 years) 1:10, class size 20, CSPP class size 24

 

Please note: starting in FY2026-2027 all academic units must come from California Teacher Credentialing approved institution.

Creating a California ECE Workforce Registry Account

The Early Learning San Francisco Program application will require the CA ECE Workforce Registry ID Number of the program Director or Owner. If you do not already have a Registry account, you can create one now at https://www.caregistry.org/ to prepare for the open application period. 

For step-by-step guides to creating your Registry account and finding your Registry ID, please view the video tutorials linked below:  

Video Guide

Create a profile

English
Spanish
Chinese

How to

Find your Registry ID

English
Spanish

 

For additional questions or support with creating a California ECE Workforce Registry Account please contact the Children’s Council Help Desk: 

Contact Information

For questions about your eligibility or application support please contact:

JoinELFA@sfgov.org

If you are already a qualified ELFA program and are planning to expand your program or add another site, please contact us at:

Johanna.Martinez@sfgov.org (English/Spanish)

Susan.Lu@sfgov.org
(English/Chinese)

For questions or support with creating a California ECE Workforce Registry Account please contact the Help Desk at Children’s Council.

Help Desk Email: support@childrenscouncil.org

Help Desk Phone: 415-343-4669