The 2017 Early Learning Facilities Study, a multi-phase project commissioned by the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), provides valuable data and insights into early care and education (ECE) facility needs in Santa Clara County.
Findings from the Early Learning Facilities Study are intended to engage the broader community in thoughtful planning for a cohesive, coherent approach to early learning facilities expansion, especially in areas where there is high unmet need for
infant/toddler care and
preschool.
The study found that there are nearly 32,000 children ages 0-5 years in Santa Clara County that are in need of, yet do not have access to, licensed, quality child care; a crisis in access that disproportionally affects families who reside in Santa Clara, San Jose, Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. Early care and education providers cited lack of space, issues finding a site, lack of local or state funding, issues obtaining a license, and local zoning and land use restrictions as the primary barriers to the early learning facility expansion and renovation that is needed to address this access issue.
The study includes critical information for elected officials, city planning and development commissions, housing developers, big businesses, school districts, childcare providers, and all other partners interested in integrating ECE expansion into sustainable systems of funding.
More information on study findings and recommendations can be found in the
Executive Summary and
Full Report.
A detailed, interactive map that contains ZIP code data on unmet need for infant/toddler care and preschool in Santa Clara County can be accessed via the thumbnail provided below. Users will be able to develop an understanding of the relationships between unmet need for child care, child population, city and school district geographic areas, and locations of ECE facilities. These data are intended to inform plans to meet the need for ECE among children ages 0-5 years in Santa Clara County.
Click here to view a brief Early Learning Facilities Study ArcGIS Web Map Tutorial.