Various organizations throughout San Luis Obispo County are working to identify available childcare services to support first responders, critical healthcare staff and essential service workers that do not have other options for childcare. While these childcare services are not free, we hope this service helps our essential workers stay on the job and know that their children are well cared for. 

There are limited services to support essential workers with childcare needs. If you can contact someone else to assist you, please reach out to them first. Consider your friends, family, neighbors, caregivers, religious institutions, or others first.  

 

 

Priority for these services will be for first responders, critical healthcare staff and essential service workers.

Who does this program serve

Priority for these services will be for: 

  • First responders and dispatch/critical staff
  • Healthcare critical staff
  • Essential service workers, currently including:
    • Emergency Operations Center staff
    • Water/wastewater operations critical staff
    • Trash/waste management critical staff
    • Road operations critical staff
    • Maintenance mechanics and custodial critical staff
    • Other support staff critical to operations of the above
    • Childcare service workers in support of the above

Temporary Emergency Childcare Sites

In response to the need for childcare for essential workers, the County Office of Education and various agencies have been working to open up short-term childcare facilities during the Emergency Order. There is a new site open in North County:

Champions Program @ Santa Rosa Academy
8655 Santa Rosa Rd, Atascadero
Limited spaces available
Ages served & Hours for care: 7:30AM-5:30PM 3-5 years or 8:00AM-6:00PM K-12 years
Tuition: $37/day ($50 reg fee waived for essential workers during shelter in place)
Please fill out the online form to request placement for your child at this facility. 

CAPSLO Child Care Resource Connection and SLO County Child Care Planning Council are also working with local agencies to support emergency service workers with childcare options. If you are in need of care, fill out the request form and you will be contacted to assist with placing your child, or visit the Childcare Planning Council for more information and to contact their staff to get referrals to childcare providers.

SLO YMCA Camp C.A.R.E

If you are an Essential Worker, and in need of child care services to support your family during this time, the SLO County YMCA is here to help.

The Y is opening a Day Camp at C.L. Smith Elementary School in San Luis Obispo to support children in grades K-6th in a supportive environment.

  • Camp located at C.L. Smith Elementary School, 1375 Balboa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
  • Full Day and Half Day Options Available, 5 Days a Week (Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 6 PM)
  • Program for K - 6th grades with academic support and enrichment provided by experienced SLO County YMCA Staff
  • Strict health procedures and guidelines in place
  • $25 for Full Day, $15 for Half Day
  • Lunch will be provided by Lucia Mar Unified School District
  • This program is in partnership with SLOCOE, Cuesta College Early Childhood Education Program, and CAPSLO
  • Financial Assistance is Available
  • Preschool program may become available, more information to come

For more informati0on and to register

Childcare Financial Assistance

In response to COVID-19, State legislation has passed that includes child care assistance to families of Essential Workers. This child care assistance is being offered on a limited basis through June 30, 2020 services.

Prioritization of families are as follows:

  1. At-Risk populations (Children at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation, foster children, families experiencing homelessness, children of domestic violence)
  2. Essential Workers (as defined in the Governor’s Executive Order) whose income is within 85% of the State Median Income  Ex: Family size of 4 max gross monthly income, $6,719.
  3. Families with children with disabilities or special needs
  4. Essential Workers whose income exceeds 85% of the State Median Income and are not able to work remotely.

If you are within one of the categories listed above and in need of child care assistance through June 30th please complete the following two documents:

Self Certification Form

Spanish Self Certification Form

Application Form

Spanish Application Form

 

If you need to find a child care provider you can visit the CAPSLO webite for online referral service, or you can call 805-541-2272. Funds for this program are very limited; a timely response is imperative.