Stanford
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On-Site Early Childhood Education Programs

At Stanford, you matter as much as the work. We know that finding high-quality child care you can trust is essential to your family’s well-being. Our on-site early childhood education programs provide dependable, nurturing care for your children, allowing you to focus on your day with peace of mind.

In alignment with Stanford’s vision to build a world-class early childhood education program inspired by evidence-based, child-centered pedagogy, the WorkLife Office helps you connect with high-quality care for your children. We partner with community-based child care operators to drive and align with the university’s mission, values, and philosophy on child care.

Stanford has six on-site early childhood education programs serving children eight weeks to five years old. All offer the highest level of care, supervision, and education.

Looking for a preschool for your 2-5 year-old?

Many of our on-site child care centers have preschool program vacancies. For more information, review the application details below.

Application Process

The WorkLife Office manages the centralized application process, including collecting applications and fees. Application fees ($50 for hospital affiliates; $15 for university affiliates) are sent to the child care centers to support their operations and are non-refundable.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for Stanford’s on-site child care centers, you must currently be (or have an offer letter confirming that you will be in the future): 

  • Employed with Stanford University, Stanford Health Care, or Stanford Medicine Children’s Health in a benefits-eligible role;
  • Enrolled as a matriculated student;
  • Appointed as a Postdoctoral Scholar through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs; or
  • Appointed in a visiting scholar/faculty affiliation by the Office of Academic Affairs.

In order to maintain active enrollment at Stanford's on-site child care centers, you must be actively affiliated in one of the above roles. 

Contact the WorkLife Office if you have questions about eligibility.

Apply for Stanford Child Care 

Step 1: Review our early care and education philosophy 

Stanford’s child care programs operate on the foundational philosophy that the best way for young children to learn is through play. Children as young as infants discover new things and make sense of the world around them through meaningful and playful engagement with their environment and peers, while supported by caring adults. When children play, they explore, imagine, and try out new ideas. They learn to work with others, solve problems, and express their feelings. Learn more about our Philosophy.

Stanford partners with three child care operators to manage six on-site campus child care centers. The child care operators are independent organizations known for their expertise in delivering quality care and education for young children. 

Step 2: Learn more about our on-site centers

Get to know our child care centers, including their programming, classroom capacities by age group, hours of operation, and location. Identify the centers you are most interested in. We encourage you to apply to as many as possible to give yourself more options for care. 

Stock Farm Road Children's Center  

Located near the hospital, School of Medicine, and the School of Engineering

Enrollment priority is given to faculty, Clinician Educators, students, postdocs and hospital residents, university staff, and employees of Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, respectively.
Learn more about Stock Farm Road Children's Center

Stanford Arboretum Children's Center 

Located near Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford Shopping Center

Enrollment priority is given to faculty, students, postdocs, and university staff, and employees of Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, respectively. 
Learn more about Stanford Arboretum Children's Center

Stanford Madera Grove Children's Center 

Located by Escondido Village Graduate Residences by El Camino Real

Enrollment priority is given to faculty, students, postdocs, and university staff, respectively.
Learn more about Madera Grove Children's Center

Children's Center of the Stanford Community 

Located by Escondido Village Graduate Residences by Escondido Elementary 

Enrollment priority is given to faculty, students, postdocs, and university staff, respectively.
Learn more about the Children's Center of the Stanford Community

Pine Cone Children's Center 

Located at Stanford’s Redwood City Campus

Enrollment priority is given to faculty, students, postdocs, university staff, and employees of Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, respectively.
Learn more about Pine Cone Children's Center

Stanford West Children's Center 

Nestled in the Stanford West Apartments off Sand Hill Road 

Enrollment priority is given to Stanford West Apartment residents, faculty, students, postdocs, university staff, and employees of Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children's Health, respectively. 
Learn more about Stanford West Children's Center

Step 3: Apply for Stanford Child Care 

Now that you’ve reviewed our philosophy and identified the centers you are most interested in, you are ready to submit an application. To apply, click on the button that corresponds to your current role. 

University Affiliates (Faculty, Staff, Students, Postdocs, and Visitors)  

Hospital Affiliates (Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children's Health Employees, ACGME Appointed Residents & Fellows)

If you have an offer letter confirming your future affiliation with the university, contact the WorkLife Office for instructions on how to apply.  

 Resources and Tuition Rates 

For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the WorkLife Office.