The Board of County Commissioners has approved a budget modification to fund 174 new preschool seats across 13 locations in the Preschool for All program. This expansion will bring the total number of preschool spots to 2,244 at the start of the 2024-25 school year, up from 2,070.
Under this mid-year expansion, five current providers will open new locations, while seven new providers, including one with two locations, will join the program. The additional locations will be included in the Preschool for All family application in November, with students starting in January 2025.
This shift marks a new approach to managing the program’s growth, as seats were previously added annually. The Preschool & Early Learning Division’s move to allow mid-year expansions is designed to help meet the goal of universal preschool by 2030.
Currently, over 2,000 children attend Preschool for All at more than 120 locations in Multnomah County. The program aims to offer free preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds by 2030, ensuring a spot for every child who wants one.
In addition to expanding preschool seats, the program has supported over 250 early educators this year, offering professional development and higher education opportunities. It also trained more than 60 career coaches, recruited 74 providers, and invested millions in new facilities.
The approved $3.9 million funding from the program’s contingency reserves will cover the costs associated with the expansion, including start-up expenses, transportation, and funds to stabilize infant and toddler care.
“For each of the more than 2,000 families with a preschool seat this year, Preschool for All is their chance to start on a path of early learning we know will make a huge difference in the years to come,” said Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “We promised voters we’d achieve universal preschool access by 2030, and these additional seats will help us stay on track to meet this goal.”
How to Apply
The Preschool for All family application for the 2024-25 school year has reopened. Most seats have already been filled, and new applications will likely be placed on a waitlist for the family’s selected programs. Only families who did not apply during the primary application period in spring 2024 should apply now.
Application Deadline: Apply as soon as possible, as available seats are limited, and new applicants will likely be placed on waitlists.
To apply for the 2024-25 school year resident can submit an application online at https://pfa.multco.us or you can call (503) 988-7818 for information.
Preschool for All Pilot Site Application
Multnomah County providers interested in becoming a Preschool for All Pilot Site for the 2025-2026 program year can apply through September 30, 2024. Providers from Black, Brown, Native American Indigenous, and other communities of color are highly encouraged to apply.
