Parents in Multnomah County can start planning their preschoolers' future, as the 'Preschool for All' (PFA) program opens doors for the 2024-25 school year. According to Multnomah County News, the application period debuted last Tuesday, giving families until April 30th to apply for a spot in one of the over 2000 available seats that could offer their kids an early educational boost—free of charge.
The initiative, which kicked off its application period on April 2, aims to achieve universal access to preschool for residents by 2030. Families with children who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2024, are eligible. As reported by Multnomah County News, "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 expresses its excitement to greet more than 600 newcomers this year and boasts a placement rate, with 76% of children getting into their top choice preschool, ensuring that young minds are being shaped in the environment most appealing to their parents.
Selection is not a mad dash; all applications submitted by the end of the month will be processed collectively. A follow-up by Multnomah County News mentions, "Placements will not be made on a first-come, first-served basis." But in a system where choice is plentiful, applicants have the luxury of picking up to six different learning environments, each tailored to the varied needs of families, from home-based setups to center-based classrooms.
No family is barred due to income, yet the initiative tags some for priority—children from historically underserved communities, language learners, those with disabilities, and kids brushing with the foster care system or homelessness. This equitable approach, Multnomah County News suggests, is designed to lift those with the least access to high-quality preschool options.
Those with vested interests see this as more than just a boost for the kids; local preschool owner Karen Messner told Multnomah County News, “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.” Messner is set to open a third location this September.
