County of Marin - News Releases - Emergency Childcare

For Immediate Release
April 01, 2020

Emergency Childcare Now Offered to Essential Workers

County creates pop-up program to address long-term school closures

UPDATES:
As of April 6, 2020, the initial $24 daily fee for the elementary school program was waived.
As of April 21, more funding from the State of California is supporting the program.
As of June 5, registration for this program has closed. The last day of operation for the school-aged program is June 10, and the infant-toddler-preschool program ends June 30.

San Rafael, CA – The County of Marin has collaborated with several other agencies to create the new Marin County Emergency PopUp Childcare Program to support health care workers, first responders, disaster service workers, and all other essential workers working or living in Marin while classroom instruction has been suspended during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The emergency childcare program is offered by the County of Marin, the Marin County Office of Education, the Marin County Free Library, the City of San Rafael, the North Bay Children’s Center, Community Action Marin, North Bay Community Services, and Marin YMCA.

All child care centers follow social distancing, sanitation, and hygiene practices described in detail in a March 13 Public Health Advisory[PDF]. Sites are open weekdays with varying hours. Drop-in child care is notbeing offered at any location. Space in the programs is limited. To apply, complete the survey[External].

The cost for Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade is free. Please note that the temporary $24 daily fee for the elementary school program (TK through fifth grade) was waived effective April 6. The cost for infant, toddler, and preschool programs is $1,554 per month. Those programs offer income-based scholarships to families through state grants, sponsorships, and community donations.

Governor Gavin Newsom's April 21 Executive Order expanded funds for state child care subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Essential workers are eligible to receive child care funding through June 30 and may apply online[PDF]. This funding grant is being administered by the Marin Child Care Council. Registered families are encouraged to work with the host site providers regarding scholarships and refunds. 

 

Age/Grade

Location

6 weeks to 36 months

North Bay Children’s Center
932 C St, Novato

Hours: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

3 to 5 years

Community Action Marin / Old Gallinas Children’s Center
251 N San Pedro Rd, San Rafael

Hours: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

TK - 5th grade

Bacich Elementary School
699 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Kentfield

Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

TK - 5th grade

Vallecito Elementary School

50 NovaAlbion Way #40, San Rafael

Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

TK - 5th grade

Rancho Elementary School

1430 Johnson St., Novato

Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

6th - 12th grade

South Novato Library
931 C St., Novato

Hours: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.


Contact:

Angela Nicholson
Assistant County Administrator
County Administrator's Office

3501 Civic Center Drive
Suite 325
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 473-4396
Email: Angela Nicholson
County Administrator website