San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie launched a new online portal for childcare and preschool access on Monday, designed to bring free and low-cost options to families.
The Early Learning for All Parent Portal will be a website where parents can apply to preschools, identify financial assistance, and find childcare programs based on location or language, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.
“Making childcare affordable lifts a huge burden for parents and strengthens the future of our entire city,” Lurie said in a statement.
The release said providers have been and are in the process of joining the city’s ELFA network, bringing at least 30 new childcare providers onto the portal. Currently, the website contains more than 550, which is nearly 70% of the city’s licensed infant and toddler care programs.
The ELFA network is an improved portal that will replace the city’s old portal, created nearly 10 years ago, the mayor’s office said.
Earlier this year, families earning up to 150% of area median income, which is $243,150 for a family of four, could receive free care for an ELFA network program. As of July 1, families earning up to 200% of area median income, which is $324,200 for a family of four, could qualify for a 50% tuition subsidy for childcare programs. Additionally, the city’s investments will bring seven new childcare sites in fiscal year 2026-27, which will expand capacity for more than 250 children.
“Expanding eligibility for low-cost childcare is a major step toward making San Francisco more affordable for families, but the benefit only works if families can find it, understand it, and use it,” said Ingrid Mezquita, San Francisco Department of Early Childhood executive director. “We looked closely at the parent experience and designed a new portal that makes it easier for families to access childcare.”