SFRPD Playground Permit Request: Child Care Programs

This Form is to be Used by San Francisco-Based Child Care Programs to Request a Permit for Nonexclusive Use of a Park/Playground from the San Francisco Recreations and Parks Department.

Background:
 
Historically the Community Care Licensing (CCL) Division has required child care programs to provide on-site open play space for kids in their programs. After years of negotiations with the CCL, the San Francisco Office of Early Childhood has been able to obtain a San Francisco only waiver to allow child care programs to use public playgrounds belonging to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.
 
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If you are applying for permit to use a SFRPD park or playground, you must meet and agree to these minimum requirements:
  • Program must be based and operating in San Francisco
  • Must provide $1M per occurrent / $2M aggregate liability insurance coverage listing SFRPD as additionally insured
  • Must apply for a park/playground within walking distance of your child care center
  • Understand that, if approved, your permit will be for NONEXCLUSIVE use
  • Understand that the maximum number of children allowed at a session at any one time will be dependent on the size of the playground/park space. Generally the maximum will be between 12 and 16 children at any one time but some playgrounds may not be able to accommodate as many and others may accommodate more. In addition, specific times may be set to accommodate multiple groups. Please submit an application to obtain feedback about what can be permitted.
  • This permit does NOT cover any specialty programs for the preschoolers like tot soccer, tot music, tot dance, etc.. These specialty programs can request use by season. More  information is available here
  • Understand that any permit issued is valid until the end of the calendar year only. It is the responsibility of the Child Care Center to submit a new application for the next calendar year at least 90 days prior to the requested start date.
  • Being approved for a permit from SFRPD is a prerequisite for applying for an Open Space Waiver from CCL. However, please note that permit approval from SFRPD does not guarantee approval of the Open Space waiver from CCL for the same space.
 
Renewals:
 
While SFRPD is not able to guarantee automatic annual renewal for any spaces, we will give priority to returning permittees in good standing, subject to park maintenance, special events and community considerations.
 
 

DEADLINE: You Must Apply for a Permit at Least 90 Days Prior to Your Requested Start Date. Any Permits Issued Are Valid Until the End of the Calendar Year. PERMITS ARE ALWAYS REQUIRED PRIOR TO USE. NO EXCEPTIONS.

General Information

Do your program participants and staff get dropped off and picked up in the park? *
 
Are you required to obtain an Open Space Waiver for your program for the Community Care Licensing Division? *
STOP DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM: Please submit the correct Program Request Form by season. Information and the applications are located at this page:
 
Advanced Reservations | San Francisco Recreation and Parks, CA (sfrecpark.org) 
STOP DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM: Do Not Fill Out this Form as you are bringing fewer than 12 children to the park for outdoor time and will use it on a space available basis.