The Preschool for All (PFA) Provider application is now open! The application is open Friday, September 11, 2026 to Tuesday, October 13th, 2026.
About the application
- The Preschool for All provider application is open twice a year: in the late winter/early spring and the summer.
- Providers who score 70% or above on their application become a qualified provider.
- Becoming a qualified provider does not guarantee that a provider will receive a Preschool for All contract.
- Qualified providers remain qualified for five years and do not need to reapply each year.
- Each location's licensing history will also be reviewed as part of the process. We encourage providers to regularly review their licensing history in the child care safety portal to ensure that it is accurate.
- If you have questions about your licensing history, please reach out to the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care Child Care Licensing Division.
Become a PFA provider
How the application process works
Step 1: Review eligibility requirements
Ensure your program meets the requirements. This includes having an active childcare license.
2026 PFA Site Requirements - English (PDF)
2026 PFA Site Requirements - Arabic (PDF)
2026 PFA Site Requirements - Russian (PDF)
2026 PFA Site Requirements - Simplified Chinese (PDF)
2026 PFA Site Requirements - Spanish (PDF)
2026 PFA Site Requirements - Vietnamese (PDF)
Step 2: Submit an application
The provider application is open twice each year, typically in late winter/early spring and summer. Please apply based on your setting type below.
Step 3: Applications are reviewed and scored
Providers whose applications score 70% or higher become qualified. Qualified providers stay eligible for five years and will be considered for slot allocations each year.
Step 4: Providers are contacted
All providers are notified via email whether their application has qualified or not.
Qualified providers who meet the licensing expectations, program hour requirements, and who are committed to following PFA policies continue in the process.
Step 5: Slots are allocated to qualified providers
The Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL) allocates slots to PFA providers based on several factors, including geographic distribution and community needs.
Slot Allocation
Each year, a group of PEL staff and PFA partners decide on the total number of PFA slots qualified providers get. All eligible, qualified providers are considered.
For the 2027-2028 program year, we are prioritizing allocating PFA seats to sites that fall in the following categories:
- Priority zip code or area: Priority is given to sites located in areas identified as having significant geographic service gaps or fewer existing PFA seats. This helps the County address overall preschool system needs.
- Culturally specific and linguistically diverse programs: Programs that offer culturally specific and linguistically diverse programming, including bilingual and language immersion programs
- Continuity of Care (COC): Sites that have currently enrolled families that are eligible for and interested in applying for PFA seats to continue attending the program
Please see the 27-28 Provider Application for additional information.
Applications by Setting Type
If you are a:
- Family Child Care (FCC) Provider
Please follow the application instructions on this page.
If your organization/business is a:
- Center,
- Center with one or more family child care sites
- Non-Profit or Community-Based Organization,
- Public Charter School, or a
- Private School
Please use the RFPQ instructions on this page.