Preschool for All contracts with interested providers to offer preschool to families. The number of Preschool for All providers will continue to grow each year in order to achieve the goal of universal preschool in Multnomah County in 2030. Providers who receive Preschool for All contracts during these early years of implementation are called pilot sites.
We know that joining a new system is a big decision and we want to support you in making the decision that is right for your program. We encourage you to review the information on the website carefully and to reach out with additional questions.
Pilot Site Supports
Preschool providers and educators in our community have historically struggled with low wages and unstable funding. The COVID-19 pandemic made an already difficult industry even more challenging. Preschool for All offers providers stable funding and access to many different types of supports.
- Stable funding: Pilot sites receive a contract for a specific number of Preschool for All slots each year. Providers receive payments for slots at the beginning of each month. The Preschool & Early Learning Division is responsible for filling the slots, so the payments each month are the same, regardless of enrollment. Preschool for All maintains a high enrollment percentage across our locations.
- Higher wages for educators: Pilot site payments are designed to ensure that providers can raise the wages of preschool teachers and assistants.
- Coaching: Sites are matched with a Preschool for All coach. 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.
- Inclusion supports: 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 also funds an Early Childhood Mental Health team that offers consultation for educators and treatment for children and families.
- Infant/Toddler Stabilization Funding: Providers who offer infant and/or toddler care receive additional funding to support pay equity for infant and toddler teaching staff.
- Professional development: Pilot sites receive training and access to professional development, including community college cohorts.
- Facilities funding: The Preschool for All Facilities Fund offers grants, loans, and technical assistance for providers who want to improve or expand their current facility or open a new site. The PFA Facilities Fund is administered by BuildUp Oregon. Only qualified Preschool for All providers are eligible to receive funding.
- Workforce development supports: Preschool for All partners with Worksystems and other organizations to increase the number of early childhood educators in Multnomah County. Pilot sites can participate in paid work experience and on-the-job training programs.
Pilot Site Slot Numbers
Each interested provider must apply for a minimum number of slots based on their setting type. Providers can apply for more than the minimum number of slots and are encouraged to consider the number of slots that will be a good fit for their program.
- Family Child Care providers should apply for a minimum of 4 slots
- Center providers should apply for a minimum of 10 slots, with 10 PFA slots per participating classroom
- School districts should apply for a minimum of 18 slots, with 9 PFA slots per participating classroom
Current Preschool for All providers are asked to request the number of slots that they would like to have for the upcoming program year in the fall. Providers can ask to increase or decrease their PFA slot numbers each year.
Program Schedules
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.
Family Application Process & Retention
Family applications are accepted through an online application system and prioritized families are matched with slots at pilot sites. Providers must welcome and enroll the children and families that are matched with them.
When a new site joins the program, providers work with the Preschool & Early Learning Division on continuity of care for currently enrolled children. New Preschool for All locations may reserve up to 100% of their PFA seats for currently enrolled families who would otherwise lose care with new children being placed there. After the first year of participation, providers must have seats available for new families. Each year there will be a percentage of available PFA seats that must be open for new families. This percentage is currently planned to increase over time. For the 2025-26 year, 50% of seats at each pilot site location must be open for new families.
Pilot sites must agree to support and serve all children in their care. There are no suspensions or expulsions allowed in Preschool for All. This is one of the core policies developed during the community planning for Preschool for All and aligns with the upcoming state ban on suspension and expulsion in licensed child care.
Preschool for All Requirements
Preschool for All Pilot Sites must meet the following requirements. These expectations are the same for all providers, regardless of their setting type.
Funding
Funding for pilot sites is determined by the number of contracted slots and the services offered to families. Below are the current funding amounts for the 2024-2025 program year.
- School year/school day slots are funded at $16,536 per child/per year. Sites must offer a minimum of 6 hours per day and 900 program hours for the year.
- Full year/full-day slots are funded at $23,592 per child/per year. Sites must offer a minimum of 10 hours per day with up to four full weeks off (Monday-Friday) during the calendar year.
Below are the proposed funding amounts for the 2025-2026 program year (these are still subject to County budget approval).
- School year/school day slots will be funded at $17,532 per child/per year. Sites must offer a minimum of 6 hours per day and 900 program hours for the year.
- Full year/full-day slots will be funded at $25,008 per child/per year. Sites must offer a minimum of 10 hours per day with up to four full weeks off (Monday-Friday) during the calendar year.
In addition to funding for slots, PFA Pilot Sites may be eligible to receive the following additional funds:
- Start-Up Funds: for sites to purchase needed furniture, equipment, and supplies. Start-up funds are only available to sites in their first year and when a new location is added. Existing family child care locations receive $15,000 and brand-new family child care locations receive $25,000. Centers and school districts receive $15,000 per existing classroom participating in PFA and $25,000 per brand-new classrooms participating in PFA.
- Transportation Funds: for providers that transport children from their homes to the preschool site.
- Infant/Toddler Stabilization Funds: for sites that offer infant and/or toddler care. These funds are designed to to support pay equity and must be used to increase infant and toddler teacher wages and benefits.
- Inclusion Support Funds: an additional resource to help create environments that meet the needs of individual children in care; contingent on application and approval
Who Should Apply?
Preschool For All is looking for providers who will:
- Provide inclusive, culturally responsive preschool to 3- and 4-year old children
- Welcome and support all children and families placed at the site including children with delays and/or disabilities, children who are not fully potty-trained, children and families that speak other languages, and families who may be experiencing challenges such as homelessness
- Partner with and listen deeply to families, who are their children’s first teacher, to ensure that children and families receive needed supports and have a positive experience
- Work closely with partner organizations to meet the needs of children with a wide range of behaviors and needs
- Be responsive to communication from families, system partners, and the Preschool and Early Learning Division
- Be committed to continuous improvement. Remain flexible and open to feedback and change
- Partner with the Preschool & Early Learning Division to offer input and feedback to finalize Preschool for All program guidelines and supports
Preschool for All qualifies potential providers through our application process. Please learn more and apply to be a Pilot Site here!
For more information about the Pilot Sites and Preschool for All, please visit our Provider Frequently Asked Questions page.