Application Opens for Preschool for All 2024-25 School Year

Multnomah County’s Preschool for All (PFA) application for the 2024-25 year opened on Tuesday, April 2. Preschool for All seats are free and new seats start in September 2024. Children who will be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1, 2024 and who have at least one parent or legal guardian living in Multnomah County are eligible to apply. 

Preschool for All is an opportunity for every three-and four-year old in Multnomah County to experience a joyful, quality preschool experience. The program will welcome 600 new students this year. With more than 2,000 seats for the 2024-25 year, Preschool for All remains on-track to achieve its goal of universal access for all Multnomah County residents by 2030. 

Families can choose up to six participating preschool programs on their application, including preschool programs in schools, home-based family child care, or center-based care. This variety of program models provides flexibility to families in order to best meet their needs, and supports efforts to build a robust preschool infrastructure in our community. 

Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, April 30. Placements will not be made on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications received between Tuesday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 30 will be processed at the same time, so families don’t need to rush to get their applications in. Additional opportunities for waitlist spots will be available on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer.

There are no income requirements for family eligibility, although capacity is limited. The program prioritizes children with the least access to high-quality preschool, including Black, Brown, Native American Indigenous, and all Children of Color, as well as children who speak languages other than English, those with developmental delays and disabilities, children in or at risk of foster care placement, children from low-income families, and those experiencing homelessness.

Seventy-six percent of children enrolled in PFA this year were able to enroll in their family’s first choice preschool, and 93% enrolled in one of their top three choices. The County is proud of what’s been accomplished so far and is looking forward to another year of Preschool for All beginning this September. More details on implementation progress can be found in this PFA Fast Facts resource.

“Preschool for All gave me the stability to hire my teachers, to give them good salaries, good benefits. And families are happy because this is free. They have safe and quality child care,” said Karen Messner, owner of Los Pequenitos, who will be opening her third location this coming year.

Families can learn more or apply at https://www.multco.us/preschool.