Felton Early Care and Education Programs

Felton Early Care and Education Programs operate Infant/Toddler and Preschool classrooms that provide full-day, year-round care. The program uses a primary care system in which each child is assigned to one teacher who is primarily responsible for that child’s care, individual needs, and progress. ECE teachers and early intervention professionals work together in inclusive classrooms that can include children with special needs, and early intervention services are provided as needed and as funding allows alongside typically developing peers.

• Ages: Birth–5 years old
• Schedule: Most centers are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with full-day, year-round care

Felton Institute has been providing comprehensive early care and education services in San Francisco since 1971 and has demonstrated a long-term commitment to research-based early care and education services. The mission of Felton Early Care and Education Programs is to provide responsive developmental early care and education services in an equitable, nurturing, challenging, and inclusive environment that addresses the medical, social, and educational needs of the child and family, supporting a solid foundation for lifelong development, family economic success, and hope for a successful future. The programs serve the City and County of San Francisco with centers that include the Family Developmental Center for ages birth to 5 years, Solmar Learning Center for ages birth to 4 years, Sojourner Truth Center for ages birth to 3 years, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center for ages 2 to 5 years, and Felton Learning Center for ages birth to 4 years.

The program states that it will maintain a highly qualified, diverse, and motivated teaching staff. It employs research-based assessments and curricula aligned to the standards of the California Department of Education, First Five San Francisco, and the Office of Early Care and Education. The early care and education programs are primarily funded by the California Department of Education’s Early Education Division, the California Department of Social Services, the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood, and the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund.

Felton Early Care and Education Programs state that services are provided in a manner that respects the culture, language, and ethnic values of each child, and that access to developmental child care services is equitable with no discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, or perceived disability. The child’s family is described as an integral part of the development of the curriculum, activities, and progress evaluations. The programs offer an inclusive learning environment and make reasonable accommodations to encourage full participation based on the individual needs and abilities of each child. Administrative and program leadership work to identify and use community, social services, medical, and other resources to support the children and families being served.

Last updated March 7, 2026.