The Bay Area health officers recently relaxed conditions on some essential businesses and now allow certain outdoor businesses to resume operating. The San Mateo County Health Officer issued an updated and somewhat less restrictive shelter-in-place order, which is in effect until 11:59 p.m., May 31, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the health officer. For many essential workers continuing to work and for those going back to work, there is a need for childcare. 

The Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County (also known as 4Cs) is an organization to support parents, providers, and our local community in finding, planning for, paying for, and accessing affordable, quality child care. They also provide referrals to programs and services that support children and families’ needs, including food resources; housing resources; mental health support; legal assistance; and other safety net services. 4Cs provides several additional COVID-19: Coronavirus disease resources and responses.

Please review the list of sites providing emergency child care for essential workers. If you work in an essential sector and you need additional help finding child care you can also call 650-517-1400.

For a local resource, Menlo Park City School District and Newton Center have partnered to offer emergency childcare to essential workers that are either working or living in San Mateo County during the Bay Area’s shelter-in-place directives. Emergency childcare is available at Laurel School's Lower Campus at 95 Edge Road in Atherton. The program began April 6 and program hours are 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Toilet trained children aged 3-14 may attend on a weekly or daily basis. No formal tuition rate will be billed to families because of donations from Newton families and other donors. Instead, families are asked to pay whatever amount they can afford. Program spots are limited and will initially be offered to essential workers who serve San Mateo County as defined in the San Mateo County Health Order. 

More information can be found on the Menlo Park City School District webpage. For questions about this program, email Newton Center or call 650-345-4043.