|
Every child deserves the gift of learning. That's why we've developed our Preschool for All (PFA) program, which provides free half-day preschool for all four-year-old San Franciscans who'd like to attend, regardless of income. Children living in every neighborhood and every zip code in San Francisco are now eligible. More neighborhoods will be added every year until 2009, when all young children in our city will be able to learn and play together.
The Basics
This revolutionary movement is based on a carefully researched plan (PDF) that outlines what needs to be done and where. The childcare providers, early childhood education experts and agency analysts who developed this guiding plan now sit on the Preschool for All Advisory Committee, which continues to counsel the San Francisco Children and Families Commission about the program.
All Preschool for All partners must meet our Baseline Criteria (Word). Participating preschools are licensed and insured, follow employment laws, demonstrate financial responsibility, value their qualified teachers and educate children well. They welcome children from any lifestyle or cultural background, including those with special needs. Together, we support teachers' professional development, get families involved and help develop rich curricula that thoroughly prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.
We coordinate Preschool for All with our separately funded Early Care and Education programs. This helps preschools work with specialized agencies to teach and nurture children more effectively, so we can all move forward together.
|
