Oregon is taking significant steps toward making free preschool a reality for families across the state, with Multnomah County’s ambitious “Preschool for All” program serving as a model for what universal early childhood education could look like by the end of the decade.
Launched with the goal of ensuring that every 3- and 4-year-old has access to high-quality preschool, the program represents one of the most comprehensive local early education initiatives in the country. Funded through a tax on high-income earners, the initiative aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent families from enrolling their children in early learning programs.
Currently, Preschool for All serves more than 2,200 children in Multnomah County. But the program is expanding quickly. By 2026, county leaders plan to increase capacity to approximately 3,800 preschool seats, bringing the region closer to its long-term goal of universal preschool access by 2030.
Supporters say the program is about more than simply providing a classroom. Preschool for All focuses on delivering high-quality early education while also offering wraparound services designed to support both children and their families. These services can include developmental support, culturally responsive learning environments, and connections to community resources that help children thrive both in and out of school.
Another major component of the initiative is improving compensation for early childhood educators. Historically, preschool teachers have been among the lowest-paid professionals in education. The program raises wages for educators and invests in training and professional development, helping attract and retain skilled teachers in the field.
Advocates believe these improvements will strengthen the overall quality of early childhood education while ensuring that providers can sustain their programs. Higher wages and better resources also help stabilize the workforce, which has long struggled with turnover and staffing shortages.
Research consistently shows that access to early education can have lasting benefits for children, including improved readiness for kindergarten, stronger social and cognitive development, and better long-term academic outcomes. By expanding access to preschool, policymakers hope to narrow achievement gaps and provide more equitable opportunities for children from all backgrounds.
Multnomah County’s effort is being closely watched by communities across Oregon and the nation. If the program continues to expand successfully, it could become a blueprint for statewide early education policies in the future.
With enrollment growing and new preschool seats being added in the coming years, the county’s initiative signals a broader shift in how Oregon approaches early childhood education. For many families, the promise of free, high-quality preschool by 2030 could mark a major step toward making childcare more accessible and giving the state’s youngest residents a stronger start in life.