Apply to become a Preschool for All (PFA) provider between Friday, March 27, 2026 and Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
About the application
- The Preschool for All provider application is open twice a year: in the late winter/early spring and the summer.
- Providers who score 70% or above on their application become a qualified provider.
- Becoming a qualified provider does not guarantee that a provider will receive a Preschool for All contract.
- Qualified providers remain qualified for five years and do not need to reapply each year.
- Each location's licensing history will also be reviewed as part of the process. We encourage providers to regularly review their licensing history in the child care safety portal to ensure that it is accurate.
- If you have questions about your licensing history, please reach out to the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care Child Care Licensing Division.
Become a PFA provider
Apply through this RFPQ application
How the application process works
Step 1: Review eligibility requirements
Ensure your program meets the requirements. This includes having an active childcare license.
Step 2: Submit an application
All Providers applying between March 27 - April 28, 2026 will apply through this RFPQ application.
Step 3: Applications are reviewed and scored
Providers whose applications score 70% or higher become qualified. Qualified providers stay eligible for five years and will be considered for slot allocations each year.
We also review:
- Your experience managing an early learning program
- Your licensing history
- How your program aligns with PFA program expectations
Step 4: Providers are contacted
All providers are notified via email whether their application has qualified or not.
Qualified providers who meet the years of experience, licensing expectations, program hour requirements, and who are committed to following PFA policies continue in the process.
Step 5: Slots are allocated to qualified providers
The Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL) allocates slots to PFA providers based on several factors, including geographic distribution and community needs.
Slot Allocation
Each year, a group of PEL staff and PFA partners decide on the total number of PFA slots qualified providers get. All eligible, qualified providers are considered. The group makes slot decisions based on different information:
- how many slots providers ask for
- preschool site location(s)
- family needs, and
- the provider’s experience working with PFA priority populations