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Early childhood education programs in San Francisco, California

16 early childhood programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

6 schools offer these early childhood education programs with classes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Childcare workers look after children's needs and help their early development. What they need varies by state and employer, from no formal education to a certificate in early childhood education; most often states ask for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which takes coursework, experience and a period of being observed working with children.1 The CDA takes a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of early childhood education, 480 hours of work with the age group you choose within three years, a portfolio and the CDA exam.2

In San Francisco, 4 of the 16 programs take students without a high school diploma, 6 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 6 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 16 programs here are child care or preschool certificate (13 programs) and early childhood education (associate degree, 3 programs).

See the 16 programs

All 65 early childhood programs in California, including online programs

How much do early childhood education programs cost in San Francisco?

$826 to $2,760 is what most early childhood programs in San Francisco cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 16 programs with a price. All of them: $308 to $7,242

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
None of the 16 programs report it
Length
36 to 73 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in San Francisco may also offer early childhood education programs. How these figures are made

Are there free early childhood education programs in San Francisco?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 16 early childhood programs in San Francisco approved for WIOA funding

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16 programs

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Early Care & Education (ECE) Teacher

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)

    Walnut Creek

    No diploma needed

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), Walnut CreekEarly childhood education (associate degree)In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$7,242
    More details about Early Care & Education (ECE) Teacher at Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    99 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $13,056
    Students counted
    69
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,242

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certification

    Christian Montessori Education Center of the East Bay

    Concord

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Christian Montessori Education Center of the East Bay, ConcordChild care or preschool certificateIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,250
    Program website, Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certification at Christian Montessori Education Center of the East Bay
    More details about Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certification at Christian Montessori Education Center of the East Bay
    Finished
    93%
    Working at 6 months
    43%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    100 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,046
    Students counted
    29
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,250
    Program website, Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certification at Christian Montessori Education Center of the East Bay

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personNo diploma needed

    Early Care & Education (ECE) Associate Teacher

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)

    Walnut Creek

    No diploma needed

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), Walnut CreekChild care or preschool certificateIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,382

    8 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Early Care & Education (ECE) Associate Teacher at Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    99 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $11,256
    Students counted
    11
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,382
    students trained with WIOA funding
    8

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personEducation and courses

    Child Development: Family Childcare Certificate of Accomplishment

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$308
    More details about Child Development: Family Childcare Certificate of Accomplishment at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $90
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $308

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    EARLY CHILDHOOD ED ASSOCIATE TEACHER (certificate of achievement)

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$552
    School website, EARLY CHILDHOOD ED ASSOCIATE TEACHER (certificate of achievement) at Diablo Valley College
    More details about EARLY CHILDHOOD ED ASSOCIATE TEACHER (certificate of achievement) at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $842
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $552
    School website, EARLY CHILDHOOD ED ASSOCIATE TEACHER (certificate of achievement) at Diablo Valley College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    ECE Associate Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$584
    More details about ECE Associate Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $584

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Child Development: Pre-Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$722
    More details about Child Development: Pre-Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $722

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personEducation and courses

    Child Development: School-Age Care Certificate of Achievement

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$860
    More details about Child Development: School-Age Care Certificate of Achievement at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $860

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    ECE Practitioner Certificate of Achievement

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$860
    More details about ECE Practitioner Certificate of Achievement at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $860

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Ed - Basic

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,334
    Program website, Early Childhood Ed - Basic at Diablo Valley College
    More details about Early Childhood Ed - Basic at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,139
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,334
    Program website, Early Childhood Ed - Basic at Diablo Valley College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personNo diploma needed

    Certificate of Achievement, Early Childhood Education

    College of Marin

    Greenbrae

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    College of Marin, GreenbraeChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,955
    Program website, Certificate of Achievement, Early Childhood Education at College of Marin
    More details about Certificate of Achievement, Early Childhood Education at College of Marin
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,024
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,955
    Program website, Certificate of Achievement, Early Childhood Education at College of Marin

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Ed: Teacher

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,070
    Program website, Early Childhood Ed: Teacher at Diablo Valley College
    More details about Early Childhood Ed: Teacher at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,412
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,070
    Program website, Early Childhood Ed: Teacher at Diablo Valley College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Ed: Master Teacher

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,438
    Program website, Early Childhood Ed: Master Teacher at Diablo Valley College
    More details about Early Childhood Ed: Master Teacher at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,482
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,438
    Program website, Early Childhood Ed: Master Teacher at Diablo Valley College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridPrerequisite courses

    AS Degree Early Childhood Education

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Contra Costa College, San PabloEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    School website, AS Degree Early Childhood Education at Contra Costa College
    More details about AS Degree Early Childhood Education at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,127
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    School website, AS Degree Early Childhood Education at Contra Costa College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: ASSOCIATE in science degree

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    Program website, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: ASSOCIATE in science degree at Diablo Valley College
    More details about EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: ASSOCIATE in science degree at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,042
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    Program website, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: ASSOCIATE in science degree at Diablo Valley College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personNo diploma needed

    Home Visitor

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)

    Walnut Creek

    No diploma needed

    Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), Walnut CreekChild care or preschool certificateIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,448
    More details about Home Visitor at Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS)
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    99 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $11,556
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,448

How to pay for early childhood education programs in San Francisco

WIOA funding can pay for early childhood education programs in San Francisco

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for early childhood education programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for early childhood education programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in San Francisco

How early childhood education programs compare with the rest of education and social services across California: Child care and social services training in California

Where the San Francisco early childhood education program numbers come from

Which San Francisco early childhood education programs are on this list?

These are the early childhood education programs with classes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the California page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of San Francisco early childhood education programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about early childhood education programs in San Francisco

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers
  2. Council for Professional Recognition: CDA Credentialing Process Overview (February 2026)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List