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Becoming a Preschool for All Provider
What are the benefits and requirements for preschool programs participating in Preschool for All (PFA)?
Please visit the Pilot Site page to learn more about the benefits to joining Preschool for All and the participation requirements.
What if I don’t meet the requirements to become a Preschool for All provider?
Providers that don’t yet meet Preschool for All requirements can apply to participate in the Pathways Program.
Do I need to participate in the Pathways Program before applying to be a Pilot Site?
No! The Pathways Program is designed for providers who do not meet Pilot Site requirements. If your program already meets the Pilot Site requirements, please do not apply for Pathways.
How do I apply to become a Preschool for All provider?
The Preschool for All (PFA) provider application is open twice a year, in the late winter/early spring and in the summer. Providers that score 70% or above on their application become qualified to participate in Preschool for All. Qualified providers are not guaranteed a PFA contract. Qualified providers remain qualified for five years and do not need to reapply each year. Learn more about applying to Preschool for All on this page.
I’m a qualified provider. How do I receive Preschool for All slots?
After a provider is qualified, their licensing history, program details and experience are reviewed. Providers must have at least three years of operating experience. Providers with serious valid licensing violations in the last two years may not be eligible for PFA slots. If a provider qualifies for Preschool for All and doesn’t receive slots, they remain qualified for five years. Preschool for All staff will reach out to qualified providers every year to ask if they would like to be considered for slots for the upcoming preschool year.
There is a yearly allocation committee and process that determines how many slots each provider will receive. All qualified providers are considered for Preschool for All slots. The needs of families and the Preschool for All system are used to make allocation decisions. This includes geographic distribution of seats, family needs and trends, experience partnering with PFA priority populations, facility readiness, and other factors. Please visit this page to learn more about the application and allocation processes.
My program has multiple locations. Can all of my locations participate as pilot sites?
Yes! Providers interested in becoming a pilot site are able to apply for multiple locations.
Can religious organizations participate in Preschool for All?
Religious organizations can apply to be a part of the program. However, Preschool for All funds can not be used for inherently religious activities such as prayer, worship, or religious instruction. If the provider conducts religious activities, the activities must be offered at different times and locations from the activities funded by Preschool for All. Participation in religious activities must also be voluntary for all students.
What can I do if I’m not sure if I want to join Preschool for All?
We understand that joining Preschool for All is a big decision for providers and we want you to have the information you need to make the right decision for your program. We encourage you to review the Pilot Site information and these frequently asked questions. Our provider resources page contains detailed information for providers, including the PFA program guide and an example Preschool for All contract.
The Preschool & Early Learning Division also offers information sessions throughout the year where you can learn more. Upcoming information session dates can be found on the Pilot Site application page. You can also email us at preschoolforall@multco.us if you have additional questions.
Family Applications & Enrollment
How do you match families with providers?
Family applications are accepted through a centralized online application system that is managed by the Preschool & Early Learning Division. Families are encouraged to contact providers they are interested in to learn more about their program or to schedule a visit. Families can choose up to six preschools and will only be matched with sites that are on their application.
The PFA application system has a built-in algorithm that matches families with available slots. Providers must accept and enroll the families that are matched with them.
What about families that are currently enrolled and attending my program?
Currently enrolled families apply through the online Preschool for All application. When families apply, they can list their current provider as their top choice and indicate that their child is currently attending the program.
Preschool for All seats set aside for currently enrolled and attending children are called continuity of care seats. During a provider’s first year, up to 100% of their PFA slots can be designated as continuity of care seats.
After their initial year, Family Child Care sites may continue to request that up to 100% of open PFA seats are designated as continuity of care seats. For centers, after the initial year of participation, there will be a cap on the percentage of open PFA seats that can be continuity of care seats. In 2025-26, the percentage of open PFA seats that can be continuity of care seats will be capped at 50% for centers. Preschool for All plans to decrease the maximum percentage of continuity of care seats over time.
Preschool for All cannot guarantee a space for any child. You can read the full continuity of care policy on the provider resources page.
If a family currently enrolled in my program applies for Preschool for All, does this mean they could request to go to a different provider?
When families apply for Preschool for All they choose and rank up to 6 preschool choices. Families who are currently enrolled in your program are considered continuity of care (COC) families. If they would like to stay in their current slot, families should list your program as their first choice.
If a family in your program chooses another preschool as their top choice, then they are not eligible for a continuity of care slot. They may receive a placement at another program or they may not receive a Preschool for All slot.
Do families currently enrolled in a Preschool for All seat need to reapply for their second year?
No. Families currently enrolled in Preschool for All whose children are eligible for another year, do not need to reapply. They are automatically reenrolled for a second year.
Why is Preschool for All responsible for matching families with providers?
PFA's centralized application system:
- Ensures that children who have the least access to preschool are prioritized
- Makes researching and applying to multiple programs easier for families
- Honors family choice by matching families based on their preferences and needs
- Reduces the recruitment burden on providers
- Keeps Preschool for All slots full
Can families enroll in Preschool for All seats for only 2 or 3 days a week?
No. Preschool for All seats are full time and families must enroll and plan to attend full time.
My own child is in my preschool program. Can I apply for a Preschool for All Slot as a parent?
If you are the business owner, you may not apply for a PFA slot for any child(ren) that you are the parent or lega guardian of to attend your own program. Your child(ren) can attend your program, but not in a Preschool for All slot. You can also apply for a Preschool for All slot for your child at a different program.
Pilot Site Requirements
Do children need to be potty trained to participate in Preschool for All?
No. Children do not need to be toilet trained to participate. Children cannot be excluded from a Preschool for All site based on toilet training needs. Preschool for All programs need to be ready to offer diapering to preschoolers. This page offers diapering information and resources for providers.
Is there a required curriculum that I will need to use?
Preschool for All allows providers to choose a curriculum that best matches their early education philosophy and meets the needs of children in their care. Curriculum must be aligned to the Oregon Early Learning and Kindergarten Guidelines.
What are the program hours and schedule requirements?
Preschool for All currently has two schedules for providers and families:
- Full Day (a minimum of 10 hours) / Full Year (September - August with up to 4 full weeks off plus 8 additional calendar days of closures not including observed holidays).
- School Day (a minimum of 6 hours) / School Year (900 hours total for the program year)
We encourage providers to apply for the type of schedule that best matches with their current program model. Contracts and funding match these two schedules. Interested providers whose hours do not match these schedules will be asked to make adjustments.
Are pilot sites required to provide meals?
Yes. Pilot sites are required to provide free meals that meet children’s needs and support their learning and development. The cost of providing meals and snacks is included in providers’ monthly payments. PFA programs should be ready to address and accommodate severe allergies, but are not required to offer alternate meals for children with dietary restrictions.
Can I see a full list of Preschool for All pilot site requirements?
Yes! We encourage interested providers to review an example contract and our PFA program guide on this page.
Pilot Site Supports
Who will be my main Preschool for All contact?
Each PFA provider is matched with a Preschool Specialist and Inclusion Coordinator from the Preschool & Early Learning Division. Preschool Specialists support providers to understand PFA contractual requirements by sharing information and answering questions. This happens via email, phone calls, and site visits.
Inclusion Coordinators offer guidance and support for providers caring for children with developmental delays and disabilities. This includes consultation, accessing inclusion support funds, and working with partners like the Multnomah Early Childhood Program (MECP) and the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant team.
What will my Preschool for All coach do?
Sites are also matched with a Preschool for All coach that will work directly with educators. Family child care and centers work with PFA coaches from Child Care Resource & Referral of Multnomah County and school districts work with coaches from Multnomah Education Service District. Coaches meet with educators monthly to set goals, offer mentoring and resources, and provide consultation.
Coaches focus on foundational early education practices that support all children. This includes the preschool environment, routines, transitions, instructional practices, and adult-child interactions.
What supports are there for providers working with children with development delays and disabilities?
Preschool for All pairs each location with an Inclusion Coordinator who can offer guidance and support, connect providers with resources, and support collaboration with other partners. Pilot sites have access to inclusion support funds which can be used to purchase equipment and supplies and to pay for additional staff. Preschool for All offers professional development opportunities focused on inclusion and also funds an Early Childhood Mental Health team that offers consultation for educators and treatment for children and families.
What supports are there for providers working with children with medical needs?
Preschool for All funds nursing staff at the Multnomah Education Service District to support providers. The Nurse Consultants can help providers develop medical support plans for individual children and train their staff to implement those plans.
How does Preschool for All support infant and toddler care?
The Preschool & Early Learning Division supports Preschool for All providers to maintain their infant and toddler slots through stabilization funding. With this funding, providers can increase the wages and benefits of educators who work with infants and toddlers. This supports educator pay equity at Preschool for All sites. The allocated amount for each provider is determined by their total number of infant and toddler slots.
Contracting
What does the Intermediary Organization do?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) is Preschool for All’s Intermediary Organization. MESO holds the subcontracts for many of Preschool for All’s family child care and small centers. These providers have a contract directly with MESO and receive their Preschool for All payments from MESO.
The Intermediary Organization also offers business coaching and training to support providers to strengthen their business practices.
What happens if I have 10 Preschool slots, but I do not have 10 children enrolled?
The Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL) is responsible for filling PFA slots and maintains a waitlist of families interested in each preschool site. Preschool for All pays providers monthly for all of the slots included in their contract, even if they are unfilled or an enrolled child leaves the program.
Providers are responsible for supporting outreach for their site. If a site consistently has openings that PEL is unable to fill, their Preschool for All slot numbers may be reduced.
Can I start with a lower number of PFA slots for my first year and then increase my PFA slots later? Or add a new location in the future?
Yes. PEL sends out a slot request form each fall to gather information from current providers about how many slots they would like to have the following September. At that time, Pilot Sites may request to increase or decrease their slots or add a new location.
General Questions
What is the Preschool & Early Learning Division?
The Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL) is part of Multnomah County’s Department of County Human Services. PEL was established in 2021 to implement Preschool for All.
Can I participate in both Preschool for All and Preschool Promise?
Yes! Preschool for All is designed to complement state and federal preschool programs like Preschool Promise and Head Start. Preschool for All will not replace Preschool Promise or Head Start. Providers that have Preschool Promise or Head Start slots can also apply for PFA slots. Preschool Promise and Preschool for All funding can not be used for the same slot.
What does universal preschool mean? Will all preschool slots in Multnomah County eventually be Preschool for All slots?
Universal means that every family in Multnomah County will have access to a free publicly-funded preschool slot. That includes Preschool Promise and Head Start slots. Preschool for All is on track to reach universal in 2030.
Preschool for All is a voluntary program and there will always be families who choose to keep their children home before starting kindergarten or who choose to pay for a private preschool. We estimate that 70% of 3-year-olds and 85% of 4-year-olds in Multnomah County will participate in universal preschool once the program is fully implemented.
Pathways Program
What are the benefits of participating in the Pathways Program?
Pathways providers receive support to help them meet Preschool for All requirements. The Pathways Program includes coaching, business supports, and peer networks. Pathways participants also have access to training, are connected to resources, and receive financial incentives.
Coaching and peer networks for the Pathways Program are coordinated by Mt. Hood Community College Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R).
What is the application process for the Pathways Program?
There is currently a waiting list for the Pathways Program. Submitting your application will add your program to the waiting list and you will be contacted when there is an opening. You can find the application on this page.
Will I receive Preschool for All slots if I participate in the Pathways Program?
No. The Pathways Program helps providers get ready for Preschool for All slots.
Do I need to participate in the Pathways Program before applying to be a Pilot Site?
No! The Pathways Program is designed for providers who do not meet Pilot Site requirements. If your program already meets the Pilot Site requirements, please do not apply for Pathways.