One of the largest providers of child development services in California. We are licensed to care for and educate over 400 infants, 1750 preschool children and over 200 school age children each day. We serve children whose parents are working (low, moderate and upper income), children who need an enrichment program to prepare them for Kindergarten, school age children who need a before and after school program, children with disabilities, children of abuse and domestic violence, children who are homeless, and children with teen parents. Kidango is the largest child development program serving Alameda, San Mateo, San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties.
A leader in licensed and nationally accredited centers. Thirty-one percent (31%) of our eligible licensed facilities are accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). Accreditation is the nationally recognized measure of quality for early childhood programs. Less than 4% of centers in California have achieved this honor.
Recognized for program diversity. The agency promotes diversity as demonstrated by our ethnically diverse staff and children, economically diverse parents, and serves as a model of fully integrating children with disabilities within the program. The California Department of Education commended Kidango for its multicultural curriculum.
Highly qualified, professional staff. Training of staff has been shown through various studies to be the most significant indicator of quality. An average of 6 trainings a month are held for Kidango staff. Staff are encouraged by reimbursement of fees to attend community colleges and salaries for teachers are linked to educational advancement.
Specialized staff. Kidango has staff with a diversity of professional backgrounds including speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, developmental specialists, mental health clinicians, center directors, teachers, food service staff, maintenance staff, and administrative staff. This diversity allows for children to be best served within the program.
Superior staff to child ratio. Kidango exceeds the requirements set forth by the Department of Social Services for staff to child ratio. Studies have shown benefits such as enhanced language development when each adult cares for a smaller group of children (National Day Care Study, 1979)
Required
Kidango
Infants (0-23 months of age)
1:4
1:+/-3
Toddlers (24-35 months)
1:12
1:6
3 - 6 years
1:12
1:8
Extensive parent and family support. This support includes emergency food, referral to emergency shelter, toys for tots, referrals to a variety of sister agencies, mental health and other services.
Continually meeting community needs through expansions and improvements. As a public benefit corporation, Kidango has used excess revenue or obtained grants to make significant site improvements that improve handicapped access, enhance children's safety, assure that the centers are developmentally appropriate, and meet the increased demand for high quality, low cost child care in the communities we serve.
Over 1.25 million meals a year served. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are served to children at our centers each day. For some children this represents the majority of their nutritional intake.