Archive · 16 Jan 2026
San Francisco offers free child care to ease affordability
San Francisco is a very expensive place to live.
The mayor, Daniel Lurie, has a plan to help make things more affordable.
One big part of this plan is offering free or cheaper child care for families.
Families earning up to $230,000 a year can get free child care, and families earning up to $310,000 can get half off.
This is because child care in San Francisco can be very expensive, sometimes costing as much as rent.
The money for this program comes from a special fund set up by a tax on commercial rents.
Many people in the city are happy about this plan because it will help them save money on child care.
Some families even say they wouldn't be able to live in San Francisco without this help.
San Francisco's mayor, Daniel Lurie, has unveiled a plan to provide free and subsidized child care for families to ease the city’s cost burden.
Families of four earning up to $230,000 per year will receive free child care, while those earning up to $310,000 will get a 50% subsidy.
The program is funded by a $570 million reserve of unspent money from a commercial rent tax approved in 2018.
About 12,000 children under age 5 will become newly eligible for child care tuition support, and more than 7,000 children will see their current financial support doubled.
Many families in San Francisco are struggling with high child care costs, and this program is seen as a significant relief.
- Who
- San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and families in San Francisco.
- What
- A new child care program offering free and subsidized child care for low- and middle-income families.
- When
- The program is part of a larger effort to make various aspects of life more affordable in San Francisco.
- Where
- San Francisco, California.
- Why
- To ease the city’s cost burden and make it more affordable for residents.
- Program Details
- Free child care for families of four earning up to $230,000 per year, 50% subsidy for families earning up to $310,000 per year.
- Funding Source
- $570 million reserve of unspent money from a commercial rent tax approved in 2018.
- Number of Children Affected
- 12,000 children newly eligible for child care tuition support, 7,000 children to see current financial support doubled.
- Cost of Child Care in San Francisco
- Full-time child care for an infant can cost as much as $30,000 a year.
- Mayor's Office
- Mayor Daniel Lurie's office unveiled the plan as part of a larger effort to ease the city’s cost burden.