Our Work

Build Up SMC takes a multi-sector, coalition-building approach to expanding and sustaining child care facilities in San Mateo County. We serve as a central hub and catalyst for collaboration among child care providers, site developers and community, corporate and government decision-makers and stakeholders. Working together, Build Up SMC focuses on four core areas: (1) providing facilities development and technical assistance, (2) strengthening local infrastructure, (3) building awareness and advocacy around child care issues related to facilities and (4) raising funds for facilities development.

Core Areas

Build Up SMC plays an essential role in the child care landscape by addressing the key challenges involved in becoming a child care provider or facility. Aspiring child care providers must navigate complex regulatory, financial, and operational requirements. This includes securing suitable spaces, meeting safety and licensing standards, accessing funding, and understanding local infrastructure needs as well as addressing the increasing need for climate resiliency. Build Up SMC works to streamline these processes through four key areas.

  • Build Up SMC identifies and supports the repurposing, development, sustainability and climate resiliency of child care facilities.

    • Supports development of new spaces and repurposes, redesigns and repairs existing spaces

    • Provides child care providers with technical assistance resources at each stage of development

    • Offers facility design expertise

  • Build Up SMC engages stakeholders across sectors and works closely with cities and SMC to strengthen infrastructure in support of child care facilities.

    • Engages employers to support family-friendly policies, benefits, and facilities for their employees and communities

    • Promotes state and local policies and budget allocations for childcare infrastructure

    • Supports efforts to make child care an integral element of community planning in SMC with dedicated county infrastructure for children and families

  • Build Up SMC advocates for legislation, policies and funding in support of child care facilities and increases awareness about facilities-related child care issues across sectors.

    • Champions state and local policies, incentives and funding that prioritize child care facilities 

    • Educates community about child care needs and issues related to facilities

    • Deepens community stakeholder commitment to advancing childcare as a public good

  • Build Up SMC increases funding and investment in child care facilities.

    • Promotes public investment in child care facilities through local revenue measures and other public sources

    • Equips child care providers in seeking grants and other funding opportunities 

    • Funds and administers the Build Up SMC Capital Fund providing local grants to expand, renovate, build and improve climate resilience in child care centers as well as improve and expand family child care homes (FCCHs)