A strong and well-supported early child care system is foundational to ensuring strong families and strong communities.
In March 2020, First 5 San Mateo County joined early care and education leaders and community partners to form the San Mateo County COVID-19 Child Care Response Team working to ensure a coordinated child care relief and recovery effort during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Child Care Response Team meets weekly to ensure there is consistent communication, technical assistance for families and providers, coordinated fundraising, and organized advocacy. We have identified three pressing needs for the child care field during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Establishment of emergency child care for essential workers,
- Economic relief for child care providers, particularly home-based and other private child care providers, and
- Emergency child care supplies.