Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center

Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center offers early childhood education, after school care, and family support based on a play-centered, play-based curriculum. The program provides services to both children and their families, including quality childcare and parent workshops, within a learning environment based in social justice.

• Ages: 0–11 years old
• Schedule: Open Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm, operating 52 weeks per year, with infant/toddler and preschool programs during the day and a school-age program after school and during school breaks

Founded in 1973 by Ethel Seiderman, Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center has supported over 6,000 children, 99% of whom are from low-income Marin County families. It serves more than 100 low-income children each year, from infancy through 5th grade, and provides care and education for over 100 children each day, along with more than 400 meals daily and transportation for 65 school-age children from local school sites. The center is the only childcare and family program for low-income families in the Ross Valley and surrounding communities, and more than 75% of families served live in Ross Valley and nearby neighborhoods.

The mission of Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center is to provide high quality early care and education to children, support a diverse population of families and community, support and increase children’s school readiness skills, provide a safe and healthy learning environment, enhance family well-being, and foster parent leadership in the community. Core values include a safe environment, community, and family well-being. The center offers year-round early childhood education, after school care, and family support regardless of a family’s ability to pay, and is described as more than child care and as a lifeline for families navigating challenges such as mental health, food insecurity, housing, and job stability.

Through a partnership with the Seiderman Legacy Children’s Fund, the program is engaged in a historic capital campaign to transform the Deer Park School property into a modern campus for learning, play, and community, with plans to renovate the facility to meet modern seismic, fire, and ADA safety standards. Families describe the program as “wonderful” and “a lifeline,” and say it creates community for both children and parents.

Last updated May 13, 2026.