Early Learning Facilities Matter!
The Preschool for All (PFA) Facilities Fund supports local preschools with funding and technical assistance to create new locations or to improve their spaces. This initiative is about more than just adding seats; it's about improving learning itself.
We know that a child's learning environment classroom is key to their success. Research proves that a safe, well-organized classroom with good light and space directly supports a child's academic and social growth (National Child Care Team at LISC, 2022). PFA’s goal is to create more high-quality spaces so families can be confident their child is in a safe, healthy environment. Learn more about child care in Multnomah County.
Currently, there are not enough preschool facilities to serve all three- and four-year-olds in Multnomah County. To reach universal preschool by 2030, we need more child care facilities. Access to capital dollars is very limited for child care providers who want to grow or start a business. This is especially true for small providers and providers of color who may experience barriers to funding and business support.
Between 2024 and 2029, the PFA Facilities Fund will reduce barriers for providers and create over 2,500 new PFA seats.
The Facilities Fund Will Help PFA Grow
Funding new facilities, repairs, or renovations allows us to create new seats, improve existing ones, or prevent the loss of current seats. By adding and enhancing seats, we directly support our goal of universal preschool and at the same time create opportunities for families to access early education for their child.
This commitment to quality and safety is exactly what families value most. When asked about the most helpful change for their family because of PFA, one parent stated, “It was seeing and knowing that my special needs child was in a safe place where his teachers cared for him as if he were their own.”
View Data Using the Facilities Fund Dashboard!
Our Facilities Fund Dashboard tracks the progress of Preschool for All’s goal to create 2,580 new PFA seats by 2029.
Note: The image above is a static screen cap of the full data dashboard, and does not have interactive functionality.
Getting Started: How to Navigate the Dashboard
Use the tabs on the left of the screen to move between the sections of the report. The data story starts with the overall picture, and gets more specific as you move through the tabs.
Interactive Tools: Unlock the Data
Tableau dashboards are designed for exploration. Use these functions to get the most out of the visualization:
| Tool | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Hovers (Tooltips) | Point your mouse cursor over any chart element (like a bar segment or region on a map) | A small box (a Tooltip) will instantly pop up, giving you the exact number, percentage, or specific details for that single data point. |
| Filters | Look for dropdown menus or lists | Use filters to narrow the focus of the entire view (e.g., filter the data to see only results for "2024" or a specific "ZIP Code"). |
| Heatmaps and Color Scales | Observe areas of intense color on charts or maps | Many of these charts use color to show data. Darker means a larger number. |
Research Cited
National Child Care Team at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). (2022). Making Space Matter: Supporting Early Learning Facilities in Massachusetts.