CONTACT 
Christopher Gil 
Director of Strategic Communications and Influence  
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)
(415) 287-3197, cgil@liifund.org 

Christine Padilla
Director, Build Up San Mateo County
(650) 517-1436, cpadilla@sanmateo4cs.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

All Five Child Care Site Tour Convenes State and Local Elected Officials
Visit celebrates one prime example of the impact of California’s $350.5 million Infrastructure Grant Program 

MENLO PARK, CALIF. (Oct. 25, 2023) — Build Up CA and Build Up San Mateo County have convened elected officials and early care and education leaders for a site tour of the newly renovated All Five child care facility in San Mateo County. This rehabilitation was made possible via critical funding from the California Department of Social Services’ Infrastructure Grant Program (IGP), with facilities fund management by the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF).

The $350.5 million IGP was devised and implemented in July 2021, during the throes of the pandemic. The State of California was cognizant of the enormous unmet need for early care and education, with many parts of the state considered child care deserts and a pandemic that heightened sector gaps. Grants were earmarked for minor construction, renovations and repairs to address health and safety concerns.

“As Build Up SMC’s honorary chair, I’m thrilled to see firsthand how state funds impact our local community.  Knowing a high-quality early education program like All Five school received state funding for much needed improvements is where the rubber meets the road,” said Senator Josh Becker. “Seeing a high-quality socioeconomically diverse early education program in our community receive funding for its facility demonstrates the positive impact public funding can have for children, families, and teachers”, said Director Christine Padilla at Build Up SMC. “We are so fortunate to have elected officials in our county who really understand that child care is infrastructure.”

“We are spotlighting the critical importance of facilities investments to show exactly how sites are using their Infrastructure Grant Program money and how impactful the changes are to the early care and education providers and sites receiving the money.” said Vice President of Early Care and Education Angie Garling at LIIF.  “Providers have expressed deep gratitude when they receive these funds. I’m glad we can provide this support because ECE is such a critical part of a thriving economy.”

All Five received $249,999 in IGP funding. This afforded the center the opportunity to scale their staff of 22 educators who collectively create a healthier, more efficient and more aesthetic learning environment for the children and families of historically excluded communities of eastern Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Redwood City and environs. The team is reflective of the communities served with some staff teaching for over two decades. Notably, the grant funding allowed for expansion of facilities allowing the site to double enrollment to serve more children and their families. 

All Five facility improvements expedited improved accessibility including new double-doors, deck, ramp, upgraded bathrooms, and child-sized fixtures; as well as classroom upgrades including air purifiers, painting, electrical, plumbing, windows and fixed equipment including a washer/dryer, dishwasher, stove, and kitchen upgrade.

“Due to IGP funding we were able to complete our facilities’ projects enabling us to markedly increase our area’s early childhood education and care capacity to support educational equity for our community’s children”,  said Founder and Executive Director Carol Thomsen at All Five. “In addition to serving more children and their families, we are recruiting and retaining more highly effective educators to create a healthier, more efficient, and more beautiful learning environment for children regardless of their family’s income or in which zip code they live.”  

All Five has been continuously accredited by the highly-regarded National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 2019.
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