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Calling All Four-Year-Olds
All pre-kindergarten children (those age 4-years on or before December 2, 2011*) who live in San Francisco are eligible for Preschool for All (PFA) during the 2011/2012 Program Year. PFA is not designed for children who are old enough for kindergarten, but exceptions are made for children with documented special needs, who require an extra year of preschool.
* New legislation has changed the age-5 birth date eligibility requirement for kindergarten enrollment in California. If your child’s date of birth is between September 2nd and December 2nd, you may be affected by these changes. For more information, you may call the PFA Parent Info Line at (415) 354-3873.
Welcome to Preschool!
Regardless of family income, ALL city-resident pre-kindergarteners are eligible for PFA. Children of every socioeconomic background are encouraged to participate. Enrollment is conducted by the PFA participating preschool, according to its own unique intake and enrollment procedures. Although some programs are already full for 2011/2012, and early application is usually necessary for on-time enrollment, parents of eligible children are welcome to review the PFA Provider Directory and contact sites directly for availability throughout the year.
How Does Preschool for All Work?
PFA is a city-funded initiative managed by First 5 San Francisco. PFA funds a part-day preschool enrollment for eligible children at participating sites. Some PFA sites offer a part-day enrollment, fully-funded by PFA, with NO COST to eligible families. More commonly, participating PFA preschools offer a full-day enrollment where the tuition is reduced by the PFA initiative. In settings where enrollments are “subsidized” by another program, such as State Preschool or Head Start, PFA provides enrichment funding that helps the preschool maintain its high quality early education.
Making Great Preschools Better
Participating preschools are licensed; insured and safe; employ qualified teachers, and welcome children of all backgrounds and needs. PFA-funded enrollment is offered to the eligible family either at no cost (in part-day settings); or, at a reduced-cost tuition. PFA funds also help participating preschools enhance their teachers' training and compensation, improve facilities, enrich learning plans and involve you in your child's education.
Supporting Programs to Provide Great Beginnings
PFA preschools provide their students with opportunities to experience early literacy, art, science, movement and music in small learning groups. First 5 San Francisco, as the administrator of PFA, monitors participating sites for compliance with the established standards for high-quality early education, in both programmatic and administrative areas. First 5 San Francisco also requires its PFA-partner preschools to staff their classrooms with qualified teachers, and actively supports these staff with many opportunities for in-depth professional development. Your child's teacher will help you understand your child’s developmental stages, how your child might best learn, and how to get the most out of preschool. We value and respect your child's family structure, cultural background, home language and customs.
More Information
Accessing preschool enrollment usually requires parents to spend time reviewing their preschool options, and to make multiple applications to several different preschools. At First 5 San Francisco, we want to help you with what you need to make informed choices. Start by reviewing our PFA Provider Directory of over 120 participating preschools; using our interactive online map of sites, and checking out the flyers below.
If you still have questions, please call the PFA Parent Information Phone Line at (415) 354-3873.
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