Child care providers, community-based organizations, charter schools, and school districts in Multnomah County have nine days left to apply to become a Preschool for All provider. Applications are open through Sept. 29, 2023.
Preschool for All is building a mixed delivery system that includes home-based, center-based, and school district preschools. Black, Brown, Native American Indigenous, and Providers of Color are highly encouraged to apply for slots.
“Preschool for All aims to ensure that all children may attend high-quality preschools that value their culture, language, and family,” said Leslee Barnes, who directs the County’s Preschool and Early Learning Division. “To achieve that goal, we are working to build a network of providers that reflect our whole community.
Preschool for All expands access to education and invests in early childhood workforce
Families have consistently communicated the importance of providers who reflect their culture and language. Preschool for All is committed to having a diverse set of providers who look and sound like the children and families enrolled in the program.
The Preschool & Early Learning Division of Multnomah County’s Department of County Human Services will select Pilot Sites through an application process. Pilot Sites who are selected will receive contracts for Preschool for All slots.
Shannon’s Child Care & Preschool, a home-based program, is one example of a Preschool for All pilot site. The site, operated by Shannon Aden, has been providing childcare services since 1986. Aden decided to become a pilot site to better serve families and support her workers.
“By working with Preschool for All I can guarantee 8 slots in my program of 16 to families who qualify,” Aden said. “Because of the funding we have been able to hire more teachers and pay better wages with benefits. The funding, coaching and education has allowed us to grow in our professional development, education and our community service.”
How to apply to become a pilot site
Interested providers are encouraged to register online for an upcoming 2024-2025 PFA Pilot Site information session on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 pm to find out more about the application process. Register here.
Home-based providers and small centers serving fewer than 100 children can apply online in several languages.
Community based organizations, school districts, public charter schools, private schools, and
center-based preschool providers who have multiple locations OR who are licensed for 100 or more children will apply through separate processes:
Community-Based Organization Pilot Site Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ)