March 2026 Newsletter

News and Updates from the Multnomah County Preschool & Early Learning Division

The PFA Family Application Opens April 1!

Starting April 1 at 10am and continuing throughout the month of April, families in Multnomah County can apply for free preschool through Preschool for All (PFA). 

If your child will be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026, we hope you’ll apply for a PFA seat! 

This year, we’re able to offer more seats than ever before, and we encourage every interested family to apply! 

If you work with, know, or support families, we also encourage you to forward this email and help share this opportunity far and wide.

PFA connects families to a wide range of preschool options – including centers, schools, and home-based programs – so you can find the right fit for your child and your family.



Learn more on our application portal: pfa.multco.us

You can also sign up to be notified on opening day!



A Note From Our Director

Dear PFA Community,

High-quality preschool can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

Research shows that children who attend preschool build strong foundations in language, early math, and social-emotional skills. Just as importantly, preschool helps children learn how to be part of a community: how to share, solve problems, and express themselves with confidence. These early experiences also shape how children see themselves as learners. All of these skills set children up for success in school and in life. 

Preschool for All was created to ensure that every child in Multnomah County has access to these opportunities, regardless of income or background. When we invest in young children, we invest in stronger families and a stronger community!

As the program continues to grow, we’re expanding access to more families across the county. We encourage every eligible family to explore their options and apply.



We’re so excited to welcome a new group of families into Preschool for All this year!

Warmly, 

Danisa McLean

Director

Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL)

Multnomah County

Applying for Preschool for All is simple! And we’ve created short videos to walk you through each step, and versions in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese are available on our website.

Video 1: Getting Started with Preschool for All

Video 3: What Happens After you Apply

• The application opens April 1 at 10am and will remain open throughout the month.

• Applications are not first-come, first-served! All applications submitted during the spring period will be considered together. Take your time and explore the many great PFA sites before you choose!

• We encourage all eligible families to apply, even if you’re still exploring your options.

• You can choose up to eight preschool programs to include on your application.

• Those eight programs matter! You will only receive a placement offer at one of the preschool programs you include on your application.

• If you don’t receive a placement right away, you’ll be placed on the waitlist for every PFA site you chose when you applied.



Feedback or ideas for our upcoming newsletter issues?

We'd love to hear from you!



Preschool For All

Contact us at preschoolforall@multco.us