Child Development and Education Program Sites

Family Service Leo J. Ryan Child Development Center in South San Francisco

South San Francisco, CA
(650) 952-6848

Established in 1980, the Center was named in honor of the late Leo J. Ryan who in addition to being a Congressman was also an educator. The program is located on the Sunshine Gardens Elementary School campus and operated in partnership with the South San Francisco Unified School District. Two programs, The Child Development Center for Pre-schoolers and Club Leo. J. Ryan School-Age Program, provide opportunities to learn, explore, and have fun in an exciting, creative and bi-lingual environment. The staff prepares 56 pre-schoolers (ages 2-5) for kindergarten while 72 children participate in the after school program.

• The Family Service Leo J. Ryan Child Development Center has been recognized by the State for providing an environment that meets the highest standard in child development curriculum.
• Male and female teaching staff who work together and act as healthy role models.
• The center stays open when parents need it most – school breaks and the summer.
• The center’s philosophy emphasizes building positive self-image and an appreciation of diversity.

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Family Service Child Development Center at Plaza
(Preschool For All Site)

Redwood City, CA
(650) 369-0527

Opened in February 1998, the Family Service Child Development Center at Plaza offers child care to 24 children aged 2 years and 9 months to 5 years (children must be fully potty-trained).

• An active Parents Advisory Committee plans activities and mentors other parents through Kindergarten selection and enrollment.
• Reading readiness is stressed. A librarian visits once a week to open the children to the joys of reading. The Center provides a lending library for parents who participate in the children’s success by reading at home.

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First Step Child Development Center, San Mateo

San Mateo, CA
(650) 458-2917

In the Summer of 2009 , the First Step Child Development Center, San Mateo opened. Family Service continues its unique partnership with Shelter Network and the tratition of providing quality child care that started with the opening of the Haven site in 2001.

First Step provides nurturing child care to homeless, at-risk pre-school children, 18-months to five years of age. First Step mirrors the Haven program and provides care to homeless children at the San Mateo transitional housing facility. Most children live on-site with their parents.

• While parents work toward stability and self-sufficiency, the cost of their children’s care is paid for by a combination of public and private funding.
• Families work closely with a case manager and program staff to design an experience that will meet the individual needs of each child.
• Parents attend mandatory parenting classes and the staff teaches parents to advocate for children.

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Family Service Child Development Center at Haven

Menlo Park, CA
(650) 325-8719

In the Fall of 2001 , the Family Service Child Development Center at Haven began a unique partnership with Shelter Network providing quality, nurturing child care to homeless, at-risk pre-school children, 18-months to five years of age. The Center is one of the few in California providing care to homeless children at the site of a transitional housing facility. Most children live on-site with their parents.

• While parents work toward stability and self-sufficiency, the cost of their children’s care is paid for by a combination of public and private funding.
• Families work closely with a case manager and program staff to design an experience that will meet the individual needs of each child.
• Parents attend mandatory parenting classes and the staff teaches parents to advocate for children.
• Children plant and tend their own vegetable garden.

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Family Service Neighborhood Child Care Program, various locations

(650) 403-4300

Established in 1973, The Neighborhood Child Care Program was the first child care program offered by Family Service. Care is provided in individual private homes throughout San Mateo County for children aged three months to five years. Caregivers are Family Service employees who are regularly supervised and monitored by Family Service child development professionals.

• All homes follow Family Service’s Policies and Early Learning Curriculum.
• Homes are conveniently located in neighborhoods where families live or work.
• All caregivers have formal training in early childhood education and are required to participate in mandatory continuing education.
• Children benefit from the small group size and extended family feeling that is only available in home-based care. Parents have the security of knowing that care is monitored.

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Family Service Child Development Center at Redwood High School

Redwood High School, Redwood City, CA
(650) 306-1780

The Center opened under Family Service’s management in August 2004 and cares for 31 children aged six weeks to three years. The site is operated in partnership with Redwood High School. School-age mothers attend classes to complete their high school education. The child development and education program is open to the public.

• A special feature of their educational program is a “hands on” child development lab. Parents work with their own babies to apply their classroom child development training and Family Service’s child development professionals are there to coach.
• Louis Torelli who is a leading designer of small, intimate infant-toddler spaces consulted in the designing of the environment.
• We collaborate to offer life skills training and education in personal finance.

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Family Service Early Learning Center in Downtown San Mateo

San Mateo, CA
(650) 403-4300

This entirely new child development center opened in August 2005. Centrally located and state-of-the-art, this center fulfilled an urgent need for quality child care in San Mateo. Epitomizing all that an urban Early Learning Center should be, the facility offers the children of working parents a safe environment conducive to learning, development and care. The Early Learning Center cares for and teaches 32 preschoolers ranging in age from two years nine months to five years old.

• An active Parents Advisory Committee plans activities and mentors other parents through Kindergarten selection and enrollment. The committee also offers support to the staff.
• Gardens and murals have been added to the rooftop playgrounds.

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Family Service Children’s Waiting Room at the Redwood City Court House and San Mateo Juvenile Court

Redwood City Hall of Justice, Redwood City, CA
(650) 363-4307
Juvenile Court, San Mateo
(650) 312-5599

Established in 2000 at the Redwood City Hall of Justice and 2002 at the Juvenile Court, these centers provide a safe place for those with business in the courthouse to leave their children. The Children’s Waiting Rooms are operated in partnership with the San Mateo County Superior Court. Care is provided for up to 11 children aged two and a half up (and potty-trained) on a first-come, first served basis.

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