Who qualifies for free child care in San Francisco?
Through the Early Learning For All (ELFA) program, San Francisco has dramatically expanded access to affordable child care. Eligibility is based on your household size and income.
| Income Tier | Family of 4 Income | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 110% AMI | Up to $178,300/yr | FREE Fully funded |
| 111%–150% AMI | Up to $243,150/yr | Full tuition credit: equals 100% of ELFA's rate for your child's age group. Your family pays the balance. |
| 151%–200% AMI | Up to $324,200/yr | Half tuition credit: equals 50% of ELFA's rate for your child's age group. Your family pays the balance. |
Income thresholds vary by household size. A family of 2 qualifies for the tuition credit at up to $259,400/year; a family of 6 at up to $376,100/year.
How the tuition credit works
A tuition credit is a monthly dollar amount, not a percentage of what your program charges. It is set by ELFA's rate for your child's age group. The full credit (111–150% AMI) equals 100% of that rate, and the half credit (151–200% AMI) equals 50% of it. If your program charges more than the credit, your family pays the balance.
| Age group | Full credit | Half credit |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $3,027/month | $1,514/month |
| Toddler | $2,306/month | $1,153/month |
| Preschool | $2,115/month | $1,058/month |
Full-time monthly ELFA rates, FY 2026-27 (updated July 1, 2026). Source: SF Department of Early Childhood on sf.gov.
Example only: a program charges $2,500 a month for a preschooler. A full credit of $2,115 leaves $385 for the family to pay. A half credit of $1,058 leaves $1,442. Ask your program for its monthly rate to estimate your own share.
Free tuition (up to 110% AMI) is different: enrollment at any ELFA program is free.
What is ELFA?
Early Learning For All (ELFA) is San Francisco's universal child care program. Over 500 licensed providers across the city participate in the ELFA network, including family child care homes and centers. The program covers infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age care.
Key facts:
- Must be a San Francisco resident
- Must enroll at an approved ELFA network provider
- Providers cannot charge deposits to hold spots under ELFA
- Covers full-time and part-time care
How do I apply?
Contact one of San Francisco's Resource & Referral agencies to begin the application process:
Children's Council of San Francisco
Processes Fully-Funded ELFA applications (up to 110% AMI)
Wu Yee Children's Services
Processes all ELFA tiers — Fully-Funded and Tuition Credit
Compass Family Services
For families currently experiencing homelessness
Documentation Vault
Applications move faster when you arrive with the right documents. Use these short, plain-English checklists before you sit down with Children's Council or Wu Yee.
What documents prove SF residency?
A current lease, recent utility bill, or government mail addressed to you inside city limits — usually two matching items are enough.
How do self-employed/gig workers prove income?
Bring your latest tax return plus 1099s, Schedule C, or 3 months of bank deposits and platform payout statements from Uber, DoorDash, or similar.
Who counts as "family size"?
Everyone financially dependent in your household — parents, children, and often a pregnant member counts as two — even if extended relatives share rent.
Example Families — What Would I Qualify For?
Three common San Francisco scenarios to help you estimate your own benefit before applying.
Single parent, one toddler, earning $65,000/year
This family is well under 110% AMI, so they qualify for fully free enrollment at any ELFA program. If their child is under 3, they should look for family child care homes with infant/toddler openings, since these are the most common setting for this age group. Estimated annual subsidy value: approximately $36,000.
Two parents, one infant, household income $180,000/year
This family sits above 110% AMI but below 150% AMI, so they qualify for a full tuition credit at ELFA programs — equal to 100% of ELFA's rate for their child's age group. Their family pays the balance. Many family child care homes in the Sunset and Richmond districts serve this income bracket and offer Cantonese or Mandarin bilingual care.
Two parents, two children (ages 1 and 4), household income $280,000/year
This family falls between 150% and 200% AMI. They qualify for a half tuition credit — equal to 50% of ELFA's rate for each child's age group. Their family pays the balance. Their 4-year-old may also be eligible for free Transitional Kindergarten through SFUSD.
Other programs beyond ELFA
California has many child care subsidy programs beyond ELFA, including Head Start, CSPP (State Preschool), CalWORKs, the Bridge Program for foster children, and more. Eligibility and benefits vary by program.
California Child Care Subsidy Programs
For a complete guide to all subsidized child care programs in California — including eligibility, how to apply, and what each program covers — see our comprehensive resource:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for free child care in San Francisco?
San Francisco families earning up to 110% of Area Median Income qualify for free child care through the Early Learning For All (ELFA) program. For a family of four, that's approximately $178,300 per year. Families earning 111–150% AMI ($243,150/year for a family of four) receive a full tuition credit, and families earning 151–200% AMI ($324,200/year for a family of four) receive a half tuition credit. Each credit equals 100% or 50% of ELFA's rate for your child's age group, and your family pays the balance.
How much of my child care tuition does the ELFA tuition credit cover?
The credit is a set monthly amount based on ELFA's rate for your child's age group, not a percentage of your program's tuition. For FY 2026-27, the full credit (111–150% AMI) is $3,027 a month for infants, $2,306 for toddlers and $2,115 for preschoolers, and the half credit (151–200% AMI) is half of each. If your program charges more, your family pays the balance.
How do I apply for child care financial assistance in San Francisco?
Contact a Resource & Referral agency: Children's Council of San Francisco at (415) 343-3300, or Wu Yee Children's Services at (844) 644-4300. You can also start at sfdec.org. Wu Yee processes applications for all ELFA income tiers, while Children's Council handles Fully-Funded ELFA applications.
How much does child care cost in San Francisco?
Full-time family child care in San Francisco typically costs $2,000–$3,000+ per month. However, most San Francisco families now qualify for free or significantly reduced-cost care through the city's Early Learning For All (ELFA) program, which covers families earning up to 200% of Area Median Income.
What is the ELFA program in San Francisco?
Early Learning For All (ELFA) is San Francisco's universal child care program. It provides free or reduced-cost child care at over 500 approved programs citywide. Eligibility is based on household income and Area Median Income (AMI) thresholds. The program covers infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age care.
What other child care assistance programs are available in San Francisco?
In addition to ELFA, California has many child care subsidy programs including Head Start, California State Preschool Program (CSPP), CalWORKs, the Bridge Program for foster children, and more. For a complete guide to all programs, visit mychildcareplan.org.
How much does child care cost in San Francisco without subsidies?
Full-time child care in San Francisco typically costs between $2,500 and $3,500 per month for infants and toddlers, and $2,000 to $3,000 per month for preschool-age children, depending on the program type and location.
How long does it take to get child care subsidies in San Francisco?
Processing times vary, but families should expect 2–4 weeks from application to enrollment confirmation. Availability depends on open slots at ELFA-participating programs; as of early 2026, approximately 1,000 slots are open citywide, with the highest demand for infant and toddler care (ages 0–3).
What is Baby Prop C and how does it fund child care?
Baby Prop C, passed by San Francisco voters in 2018, is a 3.5% tax on commercial property leases that funds the city's early care and education system. It pays for ELFA subsidies, provider workforce compensation, and facility improvements. Current revenue projections fund the program through approximately 2032.
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