Let’s make child care a promise for every San Mateo County family

Even when families manage to find suitable child care, coverage is often insufficient. Some days, school ends before parents are done with work, and on other occasions, schedules run longer than child care hours provide. Like many families in San Mateo County, my family often relies on our network to fill these gaps, as child care is not only difficult to find and expensive but also not always aligned with a family’s specific needs.

At a recent town hall in South San Francisco, I heard stories that were both heartbreaking and motivating. One mother revealed that she pays more than $30,000 a year for infant care. Another had to leave her job as a nurse practitioner — not because she wanted to, but because no provider could accommodate her schedule. These stories are not isolated; they represent the reality for thousands of families across our county.

Child care providers — many of whom are women of color — also face significant struggles. They encounter low subsidy rates, rising costs and limited support, leading to open spots that they cannot connect with families in need. This disconnect is systemic and creates ripple effects far beyond child care itself.

Parents are left juggling impossible choices: depleting savings to pay for care, trying to make unsustainable arrangements work, or leaving the workforce altogether. These decisions harm not only families but also local economies, businesses and the long-term health of our neighborhoods. We must recognize child care as public infrastructure and view it as an investment necessary for our community and economy to thrive.

We often discuss workforce development, economic growth and equity. However, none of these objectives are achievable if families cannot access reliable and affordable child care. As Supervisor Jackie Speier said, “We have a workforce crisis that starts in the crib.”

County data and recent town hall discussions indicate that the costs of infant care are out of reach for many families. Even when families can afford child care, they often struggle to find available spots. The San Mateo County Office of Education’s 2025 Supply and Demand analysis confirms a severe shortage, particularly for infants, toddlers and school-age children. While the expansion of transitional kindergarten has helped, the gap between need and availability remains significant.

The groundwork for addressing these challenges is already laid. Nonprofits, county staff and civic leaders have identified the issues and suggested solutions through needs assessments and workforce studies. However, what is still missing is directly hearing from the families and providers most affected. We need to dedicate our county’s limited resources to the programs that will benefit those who need them most. That’s why, as the grandmothers on the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Speier and I are committed to making a change. We will be hosting town halls across San Mateo County to ensure that parents, caregivers and educators have a voice in these discussions.

Child care is not a luxury; it is a cornerstone of a thriving community. When we invest in our youngest residents, we invest in future teachers, nurses, engineers and neighbors. We are listening, learning and leading, and we won’t stop until every family receives the support they need to raise their children with dignity and opportunity.

Our next Childcare Town Hall will be Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at EPACENTER in East Palo Alto. Please join us to share your experiences and ideas. 

Let’s work together to build a San Mateo County where child care is a promise for every family.

Supervisor Lisa Gauthier represents San Mateo County’s Fourth District on the Board of Supervisors, which includes the communities of East Palo Alto, Redwood City, and parts of Menlo Park. She previously served on the East Palo Alto City Council for 12 years.