Impact that begins early and lasts a lifetime

Through early learning, family partnership, health and nutrition services, home visiting, and educator development, we help children thrive, support parents in reaching their goals, and strengthen the early childhood system that our entire community depends on.

Apply

Support Izzi

Our reach

648

families served across San Mateo County

600+

children enrolled annually

15

pregnant women supported through Home Visiting

12

early learning centers across San Mateo County

These numbers represent more than participation. They reflect hundreds of children building essential skills, parents moving toward their goals, and families gaining trusted partners during one of the most important periods of their lives.

A rising tide for San Mateo County’s youngest learners

Research links high-quality early childhood education with stronger educational outcomes, greater economic mobility, and reduced reliance on public assistance later in life. The first 5 years, in particular, builds the foundation for how they learn, develop relationships, and succeed in school.

Izzi Early Education invests in this critical window before challenges become crises. Our comprehensive model creates opportunity at several levels:

For Children

Strong cognitive, language, social-emotional, and early literacy foundations.

For Parents

Reliable care and support to work, study, find housing, and reach family goals.

For Educators

Paid training, credentials, career pathways, and opportunities to build meaningful careers.

For communities

A stronger workforce, greater family stability, and fewer children and families reaching a point of crisis.

When we invest early, the impact grows over time.

Ready for kindergarten

Izzi uses the Desired Results Developmental Profile, or DRDP, to understand each child’s strengths, individualize instruction, and measure developmental progress over time.

99%

FAMILY SURVEY

Kindergarten readiness

of Izzi families reported that the program helped their child learn the skills needed for kindergarten

69%

Learning engagement
grew in attention, persistence, curiosity, and engagement

DRDP RESULTS · 2025–26 PROGRAM YEAR

68%

Communication literacy
boosted vocabulary and comprehension

67%

Social-emotional growth

built stronger relationships, emotional understanding, and classroom participation

74%

Foundational literacy
strengthened phonological awareness and understanding of how print works

Stable families, stronger futures

Children thrive when families have the resources and opportunities to thrive with them. At Izzi Early Education, families receive individualized support related to health, nutrition, housing, education, employment, parenting, and other goals that strengthen long-term stability.

74%

Education and career goals

of parents set new education or career goals with Izzi’s support

82%

Health and dental care

of families got the health and dental care they needed through Izzi

“I was able to get a part-time job and look for housing for my family while my child was at school. Thank you!”
Izzi Parent

A proven model built on real needs

Families across San Mateo County are navigating some of the highest living costs in the country, limited affordable early education options, and increasing needs for health, mental health, housing, and family support.

17,157

child care spaces are missing across San Mateo County

73%

of surveyed parents reported turning down work because they could not find child care

65%

said affordable child care was somewhat or very difficult to find

Today, Izzi Early Education is one of San Mateo County’s largest nonprofit providers of comprehensive early learning and family support. Rather than addressing one need in isolation, we work alongside families to build the conditions children need to thrive. Our model brings together:

High-quality early education
Nutrition and dental services
Home visiting beginning during pregnancy
Mental health consultation
Early literacy and kindergarten-readiness

Support for children with disabilities
Developmental screenings
Family education, leadership, and resources
Vision, hearing, and health checks
Early educator training and career pathways

EarlySpark Institute:
Great educators for every child

EarlySpark Institute is building the workforce behind high-quality early education. San Mateo County’s shortage of early educators limits the number of children who can access quality care.

EarlySpark is a paid, six-month teacher-training program that combines coursework, classroom experience, financial assistance, and individualized support. Participants work toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and California Associate Teacher Permit, with an opportunity to continue toward a bachelor’s degree through EDvance College.

42

graduates

13

early learning sites strengthened by EarlySpark educators

83%
employed graduates

63%

graduates working at partner organizations across the community

8
Izzi parents turned EarlySpark graduates

79%

program completers who entered as Spanish-only speakers

99%

What Izzi families tell us

of Izzi families reported that the program helped their child learn skills needed in Kindergarten.

82%

of Izzi families reported that the program helped them get the health and dental care they need.

“My son has had difficulty with his speech and [is] now getting speech therapy. The teachers have helped him a lot with his learning and his development.”
Izzi Parent