Friends of St. Francis Childcare
50 Belcher St, San Francisco 94114
The mission of Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center is to provide comprehensive, educationally-based childcare services in a culturally and economically diverse urban setting. The center's model promotes the physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being of the children served through active involvement of parents and continued support and cooperation of the community.
At a glance
What this means
An outdoor/nature model spends much of the day outside in all weather, using nature as the primary classroom. Play-based means children learn through free and guided play — social skills, problem-solving, and early academics emerge through play rather than direct teaching.
This school teaches primarily in English.
Tuition shown is as of 2024 and may have changed — confirm with the school.
Good questions to ask on a tour
- 1What does a typical day look like, and how much of it is child-chosen play vs. teacher-led?
- 2What are the exact drop-off and pickup times, and is there any flexibility?
- 3Beyond the listed tuition, what other fees should I expect (application, deposit, materials, field trips)?
- 4How do you handle the transition for children starting mid-year or moving up from a younger classroom?
- 5What is your potty-training policy, and how do you support children who are still learning?
- 6How do you handle discipline, conflict between children, and big feelings?
- 7How does the ELFA voucher process work with your program?
- 8What is your application timeline, and when do families typically hear back?
- 9How large is each class, and what is the teacher-to-child ratio?
- 10What does parent communication look like — updates, conferences, opportunities to be involved?