Congratulations! If you’re looking at this blog post into funded childcare resources in the Bay Area, you’ve likely become a new parent. So a big congratulations from Kids Konnect is in order!
We understand it can be hard and daunting to navigate childcare options in the Bay Area and find the right childcare near you. This becomes harder when you have to return to work quickly to support your family.
This is especially hard for low-income families.
Kids Konnect wants to make your life a little easier. This is why we have put together this comprehensive list of childcare resources in the Bay Area.
This post will talk you through the types of available childcare options, local community groups you can join, the Government of California’s plans for increased child care and the agencies you can contact for financial support.
To navigate this blog post, please choose from your preferred topic below or scroll down to read more:
Agencies that provide funded childcare resources
Before we go into what resources are available, we will tell you what agencies provide funded childcare resources in the Bay Area.
The following agencies help the most amount of families:
These agencies have a range of support options and funded childcare resources available to parents in the Bay Area. Kids Konnect works with these agencies to provide subsidized childcare to parents who need it. We also make our preschools and infant centers affordable for parents.
Please contact the agencies above if you have any questions about the specific resources they provide.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) also arranges child care support for low-income families.
What type of funded childcare is available?
Subsidized childcare placement at a private or community Bay Area preschool and infant center
Organizations like BANANAS, Hively and the 4Cs, can help parents get subsidized child care. The agencies will arrange to cover or directly cover your monthly preschool or infant center tuition. On a subsidized childcare program, you will either get a portion of your tuition or all of your tuition covered.
By choosing this option, you can give your little one the benefits of a structured curriculum and socialize them with children their own age. This will help their development, confidence and social skills.
Private or community preschools might have sliding scales for low income families. Reach out directly to Kids Konnect to learn more about how we enable low income families with affordable childcare.
If you opt for a private preschool like Kids Konnect, the agency of your choice will arrange the payment of your tuition. You do not need to pay your preschool and get reimbursed by the agency. The agency handles everything for you.
Family, Friends and Neighbor (FFN) Programs
FFN programs allow anyone in your community to care for your child. All participants are routinely security checked.
FFNs are an important part of the childcare community. They are nannies, au pairs, grandparents, uncles… People who join FFN programs get regular support and development from agencies like BANANAS. They will be able to attend workshops, get access to early learning materials, art supplies and toys.
People on FFN programs also get access to playgroups. They can take your little one to an organised playgroup session with other children, helping your little one socialise with their peers.
Join an FFN program
If you want to become a child carer and a member of an FFN program, you will receive a gift card up to the value of $25 for every workshop you attend and are in with a chance of winning a quality counts stipend in May 2023.
To become an FFN, someone in your community must:
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Take care of children beside their own
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Take care of children without a license from the state
If you are interested in joining a FFN community, it is a low stress, low commitment program. You participate when you want to, and as long as your chosen agency has your contact information, you will be up to date on all of our workshops and contacted about future incentives.
Joining a FNN program is great if you already look after children in your community. Why not get paid to do it?
Family Child Care Homes
Family child care homes provide state-regulated child care in the comfort of a home environment.
Some will function like a preschool, others will make your little one part of the family.
Staff at family child care homes are not required to take any mandatory educational training. They must have completed 16 hours of health and safety.
The Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN)
FCCHEN is a program run by the Child Care Resource Center that provides a local network of family child care home providers.
By working with the program, your little one will:
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Eat meals that meet nutritional needs
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Personalized support and activity planning around their specific developmental needs
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Child observations and parent/teacher conferences
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Subsidized funding through the CDSS
Providers on the FCCHEN also receive:
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One-on-one mentoring and program development
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Professional growth and continued education opportunities
California State Preschool Programs
The state government is continuing its rollout of transitional kindergarten and has preschool spaces available for families with the greatest need. To enter a state program, families must meet specific income guidelines and the child must have had their fourth birthday between June 2nd and September 1st 2023. Accepted families will stay on the program for as long as they need while they still meet the need and eligibility criteria.
The state programs run for the school calendar year and offer full-time (6 hours a day) or part-time (3 hours a day) options. On the program, your child or ward will get a nutritional daily snack.
Alternative Payment Programs (AAPs)
AAPs help pay for childcare services for adults who are employed, participating in vocational job training or engaged in wider activities like full-time volunteering.
The CDSS approves AAP applications when funding becomes available. Applications are approved based on the eligibility of the family. The more eligible you are, the more likely you are to join the program. You will remain on the AAP for as long as you remain eligible and adhere to the program rules and regulations.
You are eligible if you:
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Meet state income guidelines
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Are the primary carer for children up through age 12 (13-21 if the child has additional needs)
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Use a child care service within the eligible areas
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Need childcare because you are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or are incapacitated
Please visit the California Alternative Payment Association webpage to contact the APP in your area for more information.
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
CalWORKs is separated into three stages with various different eligibility criteria.
All stages provide some subsidy towards child care. This can be in the form of AAPs or funds paid directly to the child care provider. The CDSS provides and arranges the necessary funding.
Eligibility for CalWORKs Stage One
To be eligible, you must be participating in the county welfare department’s CalWORKs grant welfare-to-work plan. You must also meet the following criteria:
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Meet state income guidelines
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Are the primary carer for children up through age 12 (13-21 if the child has additional needs)
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Use a child care service within the eligible areas
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Need child care because you are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or are incapacitated
Find out if you're eligible and get more information by contacting your local county welfare department.
Eligibility for CalWORKs Stage Two
To be eligible for stage two, you must have previously received welfare or a diversion payment from the Department of Public Social Services. You may be eligible for this program for up to 24 months after discontinuing public cash assistance.
You must also meet the following criteria:
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Meet state income guidelines
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Are the primary carer for children up through age 12 (13-21 if the child has special needs)
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Use a child care service within the eligible areas
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Need child care because you are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or are incapacitated
Please visit the California Alternative Payment Association webpage to contact the APP in your area for more information about Stage Two Child Care.
Eligibility for CalWORKs Stage Three
To be eligible for stage three, you must continue to need child care services after your 24 months of eligibility has expired. You must move directly from stage two to stage three with no breaks in service.
You must also meet the following criteria:
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Meet state income guidelines
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Are the primary carer for children up through age 12 (13-21 if the child has special needs)
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Use a child care service within the eligible areas
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Need child care because you are employed, seeking employment, in vocational training, seeking permanent housing, and/or are incapacitated
Please visit the California Alternative Payment Association webpage to contact the APP in your area for more information about Stage Three Child Care.
Head Start
Head Start preschools are designed for children from low-income families. They provide education & early childhood development, medical, dental & mental health care, nutrition and parent involvement.
A child who is four before or on September 1 will receive priority. Children with disabilities or special needs will receive priority points.
Once your child is enrolled in a Head Start preschool, they will remain eligible for the program throughout the current year and a second year regardless of any changes to your income. You only lose eligibility for a Head Start school based on the age of your little one.
To be eligible for a Head Start preschool you must meet the following criteria:
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Child is aged three-four and is not eligible for kindergarten at the time of enrolling
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You are within the catchment area of a Head Start school
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Your family income must meet federal income guidelines. These guidelines can be waived for special circumstances.
Find your nearest Head Start Preschool
Who to contact if you are eligible for any of the funded childcare resources above?
If you think you are eligible for any of the above childcare resources, you can contact the following agencies to continue your journey.
Find the right Bay Area preschool for you with My Child Care Plan
The website, My Child Care Plan, will help you find the right child care for your family. This includes a stack of valuable resources and a local directory to connect you with local childcare providers.
Thinking about Kids Konnect Bay Area Preschools?
If you are considering Kids Konnect but feel you need financial support, please contact Ms Bri. She will talk you through your options, how we tailor support and how you can get your child into the right preschool or infant center.
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