After an extremely successful five years, the Preschool for All (PFA) demonstration project ended on June 30, 2009.
These web pages are being maintained in an archival status in order for others to have access to the San Mateo PFA body of work and evaluation reports.
Several of the strategies supporting professional development and classroom quality will be continued through a new three year project, beginning July 1, 2009, called the Early Childhood Quality Improvement Project (EQuIP).
Any family interested in obtaining preschool information and referral for San Mateo County; any family who meets the income eligibility for state or federally subsidized preschool programs, and/or any family who is seeking help paying for preschool should contact the 4Cs of San Mateo's Centralized Eligibility List (CEL) by calling (650) 655-6777 or on the web at http://www.sanmateo4cs.org
| Preschool For All San Mateo County is an initiative funded by First 5 San Mateo County, and administered by the San Mateo County Office of Education, that aims to provide a strong foundation of learning to prepare all 4 year-olds in San Mateo County for success in school and life. |
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Preschool For All (PFA) is a voluntary, part-day, high-quality preschool program provided free, regardless of family income. PFA programs are set in diverse types of full and part-day centers and homes to meet the needs of families. Programs offer quality group experiences for children, staffed by well-trained early childhood professionals with college degrees.
Services are currently offered to children who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Four-years old (must have turned four years by December 2nd of current school year)
- Live within the targeted areas of the Redwood City and Ravenswood School Districts
10% of spaces are prioritized for four year old children with special needs or disabilities
PFA’s Vision
By 2010, every child in San Mateo County will enter school prepared to succeed.
PFA’s Mission
Ensure access for all three and four year olds to high quality care and education that promotes success in school and life.
PFA’s Core Values
- PFA program practices will be research-based, and culturally and developmentally-appropriate.
- PFA will address the needs of the whole child.
- PFA will take place in diverse settings that meet families' needs.
- PFA will be inclusive of all children, including those with special needs.
- PFA will involve collaboration and partnerships with families and communities.
- PFA will build upon existing resources.
- PFA will use accountability to obtain excellent results.
Why is preschool important?
- Research tells us that children’s early brain growth presents a tremendous opportunity to lay a strong learning foundation before they start kindergarten.
- Children who go to quality preschool do better in K-12, lifting a burden off public schools that now struggle to help kids catch up.
- Nearly half of California’s 4-year-olds go without preschool, and many of those who are enrolled aren’t getting the kind of quality program that will help them succeed in kindergarten and first grade.
- Children who go to quality preschool are:
- More likely to become good readers in elementary school.
- Less likely to be placed in special education or held back a grade.
- More likely to graduate from high school and attend college.
- Less likely to be arrested or incarcerated.
- Less likely to need public assistance as adults.
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