South Of Market Child Care, Inc

South of Market Child Care is a San Francisco non-profit agency that provides quality early childhood development and family support services in a safe and nurturing environment. Founded in 1970, we offer child development and preschool programs at our Yerba Buena Gardens and Judith Baker Child Development Centers, and the South of Market Family Resource Center (FRC). At our two child development centers and the FRC, we serve more than 1,000 children, youth and adults each year.

Yerba Buena Gardens Child Development Center is located at 790 Folsom Street. Our Center offers full-time infant and toddler care for children ages 3 months to 3 years and Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool for children ages 3 to 5 years.

Each of our six classrooms is warm and welcoming, furnished with carefully selected materials and equipment. Our outdoor space includes two generous play areas, age-appropriate play structures, and several gardens.

Judith Baker Child Development Center is located at 685 Natoma Street. Our Center offers full-time preschool for children ages 3 to 5. The program is inspired by the Reggio-Emilia approach to early childhood education, which focuses on creating environments and opportunities to stimulate children to learn.

Our three classrooms are warm and welcoming, furnished with carefully selected materials and equipment. Our outdoor space includes a play area, an age-appropriate play structure, and a small garden.

Much of our teaching staff hold bachelor's or higher degrees in early childhood education or child development. To support our teachers, we give them 1 hour of daily prep time and a classroom budget for materials. We also encourage them to continue their professional development through workshops and other training.

In 2009, we received a Mayor's Certificate of Honor for service to the South of Market community, and since 2005, we have been a Mimi & Peter Haas Foundation Model Child Development Center. We are also a partner preschool in First 5 San Francisco's Preschool for All program.

We are a privately run organization, funded primarily by the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco. Additional grants and donations from other government and private sources enable us to provide music, art, and other vital enrichment activities.