Play Lab
The Play Lab, which opened in Fall 2021, is an adaptable space that is used to support early childhood education.
The Play Lab at the Children’s Council of San Francisco is an environment where play is central to early childhood development. Designed for children, the Play Lab provides a space where children can grow through inclusive, individualized and engaging experiences through the developmental playgroups, and have access to the lending library play materials.
Grounded in the Five Protective Factors, Children’s Council’s family services meet families where they are to provide comprehensive, flexible and individualized support and connection in a way that affirms and builds on families’ strengths.
Our evolving set of offerings currently includes weekly developmental playgroups and a toy & book lending library facilitated by early childhood developmental experts.
The Developmental Playgroups are free of charge, serving children from birth to three years with mild to moderate disabilities, learning differences, and/or complex medical needs.
Developmental playgroups are offered three times a week:
- Tuesdays: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Thursdays: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturdays: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Please sign up here to attend: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/66RS8R3
The Lending Library is free of charge and open to all. Parents, providers and our community are welcome to loan items from our collection, curated for children 0-6 years old. Browse our online catalog of books, toys, games, and puzzles for children ages 0-6. Items and educational materials for older children and adults are also available. You may borrow items from our Lending Library for up to one month. Our Lending Library is FREE and available online for all families and early educators in San Francisco.
Children’s Council offers parents and caregivers opportunities to build confidence and community so that they can help children grow and thrive. Check out a visual diagram of our Parent and Caregiver Education Programs.
The Play Lab reflects our place in the community—at the confluence of caregivers and children.
- Caregivers can experience what to look for in quality child care programs. Home-based child care businesses can visualize how to set up their environment for early childhood learning.
- Families can be empowered to support their children’s development; we engage children and partner with their caregivers in providing developmentally appropriate and inclusive activities.
- Caregivers can borrow developmentally engaging toys, books and learning materials from our curated library; enriching children’s learning opportunities and equipping educators with resources.
- Caregivers can access developmental screening through the Sparkler app for ASQ: SE-2 and ASQ-3 screening tools.
- Caregivers can access weekly parent education through Learning Stories.
- Caregivers can find a respite from life’s stressors; caregivers can support each other through a community support network.
