Subsidies for Preschool

Although high-quality, early education programs are essential to a child's future success, only half of San Mateo County’s families can afford preschool due to the high cost of living in the Bay Area.

South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) is committed to providing high quality preschool to young children between 3-5 years of age.

That is why SSFUSD has partnered with the Big Lift of San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Office of Education, and the California Department of Education Child Development Division to subsidize the cost of attending preschool in our district.

Our partner organizations seek to help students build a strong foundation for future educational success by increasing from 58% to 80% the percentage of children who are ready for kindergarten and who can read at grade level proficiency by third grade through:

Quality preschools;
Decreasing chronic absenteeism;
Inspiring summers; and
Parent engagement.

Applying for Preschool

Families interested in applying for subsidized preschool and child care services must fill out a program waiting list application, which can be obtained from this website or from our main offices at Children’s Center or Hillside Preschool.

Parents/guardians have the option to choose one of our three licensed preschools (i.e., Children’s Center, Hillside Preschool, Martin Elementary Preschool) on the application.

Once the application is complete, it must be returned to the Children’s Center or Hillside office for processing.

Eligibility

Children are enrolled based on eligibility and need pertaining to the Title V Child Development Division regulations or the California Department of Social Services School-Age regulations.

An eligibility ranking will be assigned to families based on the following criteria: income and family size, homelessness, CPS, at-risk and/or CalWorks recipient.

Enrolled parents enter into an agreement or contract for the numbers of hours of preschool or child care needed daily. Contract hours are based on employment, training, or the needs of the child.

Enrollment Priority

First priority shall go to California State Preschool Program (CSPP) eligible, four-year-old or three-year-old neglected or abused children who are recipients of child protective services or who are at risk of being neglected or abused based upon written referral from a licensed professional.

The referral must state:

Childcare services are part of the family's case plan;
Probable duration of child’s need (may not exceed 3 months for at-risk); and
Hours per day required (CPS referrals must be dated within 6 months preceding the application for child care services. At-risk referrals must be dated within 3 months preceding the application for childcare services. Eligibility lasts for no less than 24 months.)

Second priority shall go to CSPP-eligible, four-year-old children in income ranking order. In other words, the lowest income families are served first.

The parent/guardian may be:

Employed (monthly income at or below 85% of the state median income adjusted for family size);
Seeking employment (no less than 12 months: recertification will be necessary to approve continued eligibility);
Enrolled in an educational or training program;
Incapacitated; or
Homeless.

Third priority shall go to CSPP-eligible, three-year-old children in income ranking order and age. In other words, the lowest income families with younger children are served first.

Registration and Enrollment

Documents required at registration and enrollment:

Birth certificate for enrolling child and siblings under 18 years of age
Immunization Record of enrolling child
Physicians Report/ Examination of enrolling child
Proof of address showing parents' full name and address
Phone number
Health history including immunization and testing appropriate to the child’s age
Income documentation such as hours of employment, incapacitation, education/training, or special needs of the child

At the time of enrollment, parents will receive an orientation to the program and meet the teaching and administrative staff.