Challenges

Access, Scalability, Worker Issues

Location

California

Stakeholders

Businesses, Local Government

Beneficiaries

Parents, Children, Charecare Providers

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Overview

The San Diego Police Department opened the nation’s first police department-run childcare center in 2023, providing extended hours and subsidizing up to 50% of employees’ childcare costs.

Key Impact Metrics

  • 25
    police department families enrolled in the first year
  • 50%
    of childcare cost subsidized
  • 14
    hours a day of operation

Problem

The San Diego Police Department’s on-site childcare center was created to address the significant challenges officers face in balancing demanding and unconventional work schedules with family life. A survey by the San Diego Police Officers Association revealed that 21% of officers were considering leaving the department due to childcare issues, and 59% had to miss or leave work because of childcare problems. The cost of care was a major factor, with one officer reporting spending over $1,500 a month. This led to a crisis in recruitment and retention, particularly for women and single parents, as traditional childcare models could not accommodate the late-night shifts and emergency call-outs common in law enforcement. The initiative was a direct response to a single-parent officer’s plea for help, highlighting the urgent need for a solution that would support the police force and ensure officers could focus on their duties.

Solution

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) partnered with KinderCare, a childcare provider, to launch a customized on-site childcare center tailored to the unique needs of law enforcement officers. The center is a public-private partnership, funded by state grants and philanthropic support, and operated by a professional childcare provider. It directly addresses the problems of demanding schedules and affordability by offering extended hours, including early morning and late evening care (5 a.m. to 10 p.m.), and emergency call-out services to an employee's home. Additionally, the center provides childcare at 50% of the market rate for San Diego Police Department personnel, while paying its childcare staff above-market-rate salaries to ensure high-quality care. This model is seen as a blueprint for other police departments facing similar challenges in recruitment and retention.

Results

  • Beneficiary Impact~$860 in monthly childcare savings
  • Employee Impact3% increase in female representation in SDPD academy applicants
  • Financial Results$5.7 million in state and philanthropic grants provided over three

Replication Tips

  • Secure multi-source funding: Mix public and private funds. SDPD combined city budget dollars with philanthropy; others can seek grants, as Idaho police did with a federal earmark of $2.65 million.
  • Partner with experts: Team with an established childcare provider to operate the center. SDPD contracted KinderCare, leveraging their expertise in licensing, staffing, and curricula.

Suggested Implementation Timeline

~18-26 months

Sources