May 3, 2018

ABOUT

Our History

As World War II drew to a close, women began entering the workforce like never before. This societal shift created a need for childcare, and in the basement of a small church in San Francisco, a cooperative spirit was born.

Incorporated in 1950, Playmates later became affiliated with San Francisco Community College when it provided Playmates with a salaried director. The director developed evening parenting classes, which parent members eagerly attended. The nursery school’s daily program became the “lab” for the weekly adult classes.

During the 1970s, Playmates received more applications than the morning session could accommodate, so an afternoon program was added. Playmates independently funded its afternoon program, outgrowing its financial association with the community college. Thus, the school’s fundraising program was born.

By 1980, Playmates raised an impressive $40,000 from a tenacious bake sale and rummage sale. This money would eventually fund the unexpected relocation cost of the school when the church basement it was operating in was reclaimed without notice in 1981.

Playmates found an empty public school bungalow in the Sunset District, and parents got busy. Renovations were not cosmetic, and there was no plumbing, electrical, flooring, or interior walls!

The final result was a large building with separate adult and children bathrooms, a kitchen, an office, two main play areas, a loft for the children, and mailboxes for enrolled families. The outside yards included a large, paved area for bikes and ride-on toys, a chicken coop, multiple gardening areas, and a gracious sandbox area with climbing structures and swings.

Starting over with an empty bank account and a new facility, Playmates has, for many years, continued to flourish at this site. The co-op now offers two half-day programs, as well as full-time extended care.

Playmates has grown in both staff and enrollment numbers. The fundraising is more sophisticated, with ample funding for facilities and staff and scholarships for families in need. Unchanged over the years is the family atmosphere, which remains strong, and which members indicate is a very appealing co-op trait. Parents and children find that Playmates is a fantastic community for family development and social interaction.

Playmates’ founding director, Emily Stone, was a woman of vision with a true understanding of what children need. Her basic philosophy has endured: a child-centered environment shall be fun, creative, and hands-on.

At Playmates, children and parents alike dig in the dirt, play in the water, plant the seeds, make the Play-Dough, touch the bugs, sing the songs, and dance the mood.