CHILD CARE ADVOCATE NEWSLETTER
NEW FACILITY DEVELOPMENT
FOOTSTEPS AT REDWOOD CREEK
Build Up was thrilled to tour the new child care facility, Footsteps at Redwood Creek in Redwood City. Below are photographs taken of "the Footsteps little sinks" on the Facility Site Tour.

"Proper hygiene practices for children and adults were important even before the pandemic! Don’t all children and teachers deserve to spend their days in high quality facilities?"

-Kristen Anderson, former City of Redwood City Child Care Coordinator
LOCAL POLICY: REDWOOD CITY
On March 22, 2021, Build Up for San Mateo County’s Children supported Redwood City Council’s adoption of supportive zoning amendments to city child care regulations. 

Changes proposed and adopted: 
  1. Allow large family care homes (up to 14 children) by right in all residential units consistent with State law (AB234, effective 1/1/20).
  2. Allow child care centers by right in residential districts when paired with a public/quasi-public use (ex. school or church).
  3. Allow standalone child care centers in residential districts with a Use Permit, including conversions of residential structures.
  4. Allow child care centers in commercial and mixed-use areas by right for up to 60 children. A Use Permit would be required for child care centers with 61 or more children.
  5. Create parking standards for child care centers. (Council chose to reduce the proposed parking standard.)

More information is available in the Staff Report and Draft Ordinance, and the meeting recording is available on the city website (item 8.B on the Regular Meeting Agenda; at the 1-hour mark).
Federal Commitment to Early Care & Education
NCFN POLICY UPDATE
Last month, President Biden outlined in his American Jobs Plan, an eight-year spending proposal working to improve the nation's infrastructure, a $25 billion investment to upgrade child care facilities and increase supply of child care in areas that need it most.
IN THE NEWS
APRIL WAS THE
MONTH OF THE YOUNG CHILD
NAEYC WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD
— April 10 - 16, 2021 —
SMC Supervisors and Ed Leaders Recognize Week of the Young Child
This year marks the 50th anniversary of this celebration, established in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to focus attention on the needs of the young children and their families. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and San Mateo County Board of Education both approve resolutions recognizing the Week of the Young Child. Their proclamations underscore the importance of this vital human infrastructure as well as the service of early childhood providers, many of whom have remained open throughout the pandemic.
April 16, 2021
San Mateo Daily Journal:
A Celebration of the Children
The pandemic lockdown demonstrated how critical child care is for working parents of all incomes. Remote learning for young children made it a challenge to do one’s job at home. For parents who could not work from home it was an impossible situation. A response team made up of 4Cs (Child Care Coordinating Council), First 5 , San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Office of Education, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation came to the rescue so that child care remained open throughout the pandemic for essential, front-line workers.
April 15, 2021
Find a download for the decal above in our PRESS RELEASE.
RESOURCES
IFF LEARNING SPACES
A Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)
How do you define quality in Early Care and Education (ECE)? Our friends at IFF Learning Spaces in Detroit, MI. help break down the importance of indoor air quality, temperature, adequate ventilation, noise reduction, optimal lighting, furnishings, ease of access, and group gathering spaces!

IFF's work highlights stories from providers addressing their community's early childhood care gap and tackles themes such as, 'What it means to have a high-quality space?' and 'How to find a location for your facility.'
To watch IFF's videos, study their research, and more CLICK HERE.
Created as a part of the new NCFN Series on Child Care Facilities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Register Here: bit.ly/sfcpv
THINK BABIES: STROLLING THUNDER 21'
To Take Action and Learn More:
As always, we hope you and your loved ones are safe and well.

Thank you for your continued support,

The Build Up Team





Build Up is an initiative designed to preserve, grow and improve the supply of child care and preschool facilities in San Mateo County.