Preserving, expanding and improving the supply of high-quality child care facilities in San Mateo County
BUILD UP
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Child Care is Essential Infrastructure
Housing
Child care is essential community infrastructure that interrelates with housing and transit. Child care near housing, jobs, and transit increases access for families.
Employment
Child care access is a quality of life and workforce issue. Limited options often cause working parents to choose less-than-ideal arrangements or pass up employment opportunities.
Health & Safety
Child care facilities support children’s health, safety, and development. Climate-resilient features like shade and flood protection create high-quality early learning environments.
Child Care in San Mateo County
Gap
San Mateo County is short 1,403 infant/toddler spaces and 7,501 school-age spaces. Fewer than 45% of eligible children have access to subsidized care.
Cost
Families with a toddler and preschooler pay an average of $48,000 per year for care—making child care one of the biggest household expenses.
ROI
Every $1 invested in early care yields $2 in short-term returns in the local economy and $13 to $16 over the long term—outperforming the S&P 500 over the last 30 years.
Climate and Early Childhood: Building a Resilient Future
Thank You, Funders and Partners
