Multnomah County Expands Preschool for All Initiative by 240 Slots
Families in Multnomah County will soon benefit from an expansion of the Preschool for All (PFA) initiative, providing over 240 new tuition-free preschool slots for the 2025–26 school year. Applications for these new placements will open on March 4, 2024, significantly increasing the total number of available preschool spots to more than 3,800.
This expansion includes both new providers and existing partners who are increasing their PFA offerings. Among the new providers are Holly Farm Play School LLC located in Portland and Columbia Gorge Montessori in Gresham. Current partners, including the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, Multitude of Mercies Foundation, and the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), will also add more available seats. Families can explore these options when applying starting Monday, and those who have already initiated the application process are encouraged to contact the enrollment team to adjust their preferences.
The initiative is open to qualifying 3- and 4-year-olds in Multnomah County without any income requirements. Applications can be submitted online at pfa.multco.us, and those submitted this week will be considered for the new openings. For assistance or to modify their application details, families can email [email protected] or call 503-988-7818.
Investment in Early Childhood Education
The Preschool for All (PFA) initiative aims to create a tuition-free, high-quality preschool system by 2030. This program has received support from over 64% of voters in Multnomah County. By channeling funding to community-based preschool providers, the initiative not only expands educational access but also contributes to job creation and local economic growth.
According to economists, every dollar invested in high-quality early learning generates an impressive return of between $7 and $10. This significant return on investment underscores the importance of early childhood education in developing a skilled future workforce.
Rachel Pearl, the interim Director of the Preschool and Early Learning Division, emphasized the county’s dedication to enhancing access to early childhood education in a recent announcement. The expansion of the PFA initiative reflects Multnomah County’s commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive in a supportive educational environment.
With the application process set to begin, families are encouraged to explore these new opportunities and secure their children’s spots in what promises to be a transformative initiative for preschool education in the area.
