Upwards Expands Boost Program to Grow Childcare Supply Across the Bay Area

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Several Bay Area municipalities are expanding efforts to support local childcare providers through the Upwards Boost program. Upwards, a nationwide childcare network, is launching new initiatives in Daly City, Mountain View, County of Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale—joining cities like San Jose, San Mateo, and Palo Alto in strengthening the region’s childcare ecosystem.

“I’m proud that Mountain View is partnering with Upwards to give local childcare providers, particularly those in the City, with access to tools that will save them time and help strengthen their businesses," said City of Mountain View Mayor Ellen Kamei.

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The Boost program provides local childcare providers with free access to business management tools, including a digital platform that automates administrative tasks saving business owners several hours a day. In addition to back-office support, childcare providers can connect with prospective families, schedule in-person and virtual tours and share photos and video updates with enrolled families to keep them informed about their child’s day.

Childcare providers receive access to curriculum libraries for lesson planning, along with personalized 1:1 coaching to help strengthen and grow their businesses. Smaller providers often lack the resources to advertise and fill available slots. Upwards bridges this gap by offering marketing and family matching services—an often costly barrier for smaller operations. With this support, providers can fill open slots, hire teachers assistants and create more childcare spots for the community.

In its first year, the Boost program in San Jose, Northern California’s largest city, supported 131 childcare providers. As a result, over 40% of participating providers increased their capacity, and 42 new childcare jobs were created. Through new hiring, expanded licensing, and the opening of new facilities, the program paved the way for more than 220 additional childcare slots. Hiring has been especially critical: even when providers have the space or licensing to serve more children, they often can’t open new slots without trained staff. Boost support enabled providers to meet staff-to-child ratio requirements, extend hours, and serve more families in the region.

Nancy Thang, a San Jose Boost program provider, recently received positive feedback during an unannounced licensing visit at her daycare. Reflecting on the experience, she shared: “The Boost program has helped me grow and learn, and I appreciate all the help. It takes a village to have a quality program, and Boost is part of it.” She’s one of many providers in San Jose who have benefited from Boost support.

In Sunnyvale, the City is thrilled to add the Boost program to uplift their population. “Small businesses like childcare providers offer vital services to our community and are key to Sunnyvale’s economic vibrancy,” said Jennifer Garnett, APR, Chief Public Information Officer for the City of Sunnyvale. “We are looking forward to enhancing our existing childcare efforts through the Boost program.”

“Childcare is an essential service for our working parents,” said City of Mountain View Mayor Ellen Kamei. “I’m proud that Mountain View is partnering with Upwards to give local childcare providers, particularly those in the City, with access to tools that will save them time and help strengthen their businesses.”

This new collaboration with Upwards reflects the City of Mountain View’s continued commitment to expanding and supporting quality childcare options. In addition to Boost, the City operates a childcare center at the Mountain View Senior Center and is among the few cities in the region to offer eight weeks of paid family leave to employees for the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child.

Since the program’s inception in 2022, Boost has helped over 400 childcare providers across 6 states, created over 130 childcare jobs and increased access to quality childcare for local families.

“We continue to see the Upwards Boost program make a significant impact in the communities it supports, big and small. The addition of Boost in the County of Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Daly City in the Bay Area reflects a growing trend of local governments responding to childcare needs,” said Jessa Santangelo, VP of Business Development and Community Impact.

Childcare providers interested in learning more about the Boost program in their community can visit https://upwards.com/provide-care/boost or contact Upwards at (323) 431-9223.

About Upwards:

Upwards (formerly WeeCare) is a technology-driven care solutions company with a mission to make care accessible to all families and empower the caregivers who provide it. Upwards brings together families, care providers, employers, and governments to create new care avenues in real-time and utilizes a data-driven approach to enhance the supply and capacity of the care system. Upwards matches families with caregivers equipped to meet their unique needs and connects families with the resources they need to afford care, whether through government subsidies or workplace benefits. To learn more, visit upwards.com.