Multnomah County’s voter-approved, tuition-free universal preschool program, Preschool for All, has received a record number of applications for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
This surge in demand comes as the County nearly doubled the number of available seats from last school year, allowing the program to place more than 7,000 children, ages 3 and 4, within local preschools. The rapid year-to-year growth in capacity exceeds the program’s target for the upcoming school year by 58%.
“A new era for tuition-free preschool in Multnomah County has arrived, and ahead of schedule,” said Preschool for All Director Danisa McLean. “Thousands of additional families now have the opportunity to save over $18,000 a year while their children receive an exceptional early education that will set them up for future success as they enter kindergarten and beyond.”
The application period closed just before midnight on Thursday, May 14. While final data won’t be confirmed for a few weeks, early numbers show significant growth, with the program having more than 6,000 returning and new applicants this year. As in past years, additional seats will be filled during the program’s secondary open application period that launches June 16.
As Preschool for All grows, the vast economic benefits addressing the nationwide affordability crisis will continue to grow with it. Expansion means more parents will have the opportunity to re-join the local workforce and more working families will be able to afford to stay in Portland.
“Preschool for All is the only path to high-quality early education that my two young sons—with their complex medical needs—can realistically access,” said Multnomah County parent Hanna. “Private preschool is far beyond our means, and other options simply don’t reach every family that needs them.”
Preschool for All saves families an average of $18,600 per child. This year, the program is able to offer County families more than $130 million in combined savings. Families will be able to reinvest those savings in Multnomah County’s economy, supporting small businesses and generating funding for crucial public services.
“Our daughter is in her second year of PFA and we are so grateful to be part of this amazing program,” said another PFA parent, Eliza. “Because of it, my husband and I have been able to work full time. Without it, we would've had to reduce our hours to do more child care at home. Without PFA, we would be living paycheck to paycheck. It has given us financial security and allowed us to continue our careers.”
What happens next?
On June 3, families will receive preschool placement offers based on schools they selected and ranked during the application process. Families will have two weeks to accept or decline placement offers.
“Fundamentally I believe that all children should have access to excellent early childhood education,” said Brie Hiller, head of school at Puddletown Montessori School in Portland.
Puddletown is one of Preschool for All’s Plot sites, and the school has been growing their partnership every year.
“Preschool for All amplifies our ability to serve families,” Hiller said. “We strive for inclusive educational practices and supporting a vibrant diverse community; Preschool for All allows us to do that for a greater number of families.”
On June 16, applications will reopen to fill any additional open seats. In the four years since its inaugural year, Preschool for All has relied on both application periods to fill available seats. Additionally, the second application period allows for families who missed the initial deadline to apply.
“Due to such rapid expansion, we have work ahead to continue educating our community that we have a seat available for the majority of applicants, and that universal coverage is nearly here,” McLean said. “The promise of Preschool for All is being realized, and we need to make sure everyone in Multnomah County knows this resource is available.”
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