South of Market Child Care Children's Programs

To see the fast facts about our Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs, please visit our childcare summary page.

What the kids are saying:

"So many friends" -K.C., 3 years

"It has blocks, balls, and dollies to put in your cubbie" -"Z", 3 years

"I'm just playing around and I do monsters and bubbles." -Carli, 3 years

Our Classroom Philosophy

Our child development centers provide a safe, secure, warm and loving environment for the children. Each classroom is a special place where children from 3 months to 6 years can develop competency, independence, social skills, and a healthy self-concept. Our services are developmentally appropriate and focus on the growth of the whole child. The children learn through direct experiences with their senses and through their play and interactions with other children and adults. A rich environment is provided with responsive adults, equipment and materials, and uninterrupted time and space for exploration and learning.

In order for the children to develop a sense of trust with caring adults a system of primary caregivers is used in the infant and toddler rooms and special teachers in the preschool. By developing a sense of security and low child-to-caregiver ratios children are able to form relationships with the caregivers and their peers to explore the environment from a safe home base. As the children grow older, caregivers act as play facilitators encouraging children to develop their curiosity, creativity, self-awareness, and knowledge of their community and the world around them.

The preschool classrooms use the "Project Approach" to identify children's interests to help develop the curriculum. As the children grow they have access to the wealth of programs and activities in the Yerba Buena Gardens especially the arts programs. Each classroom, beginning with the toddler room, has a plot of land in the learning garden to grow food and plants.

Our child development programs also work in partnership with parents and family members. Family involvement programs are set up with the assistance of parents to meet their needs. Parents are welcome visitors to the centers at any time. Information will be obtained from families at the time of enrollment to ensure as much consistency as possible between home and center practices. Differences will be acknowledged and discussed in efforts to reach resolution or compromise. We attempt to employ staff who speak the primary languages of the children in order to use a child´s home language especially in the adjustment period to the center.

Welcome to our centers. Join with us in creating a caring community of staff, children, and families.