Preschool For All, Program Growth Surpasses Goals, But Gaps Remain
Multnomah County’s ambitious universal preschool initiative, Preschool For All, continues to outperform expectations in terms of expansion, even as thousands of families remain without access to care. Launched following a 2020 voter-approved ballot measure, the program has consistently exceeded its enrollment targets each year since its inception in 2022. For the upcoming school year, county officials had set a goal of providing 3,000 preschool slots—but now expect to support 3,800 children.
Despite this impressive growth, the demand far outpaces availability. At a press conference, Leslee Barnes, Director of the Preschool & Early Learning Division at Multnomah County, confirmed that application windows are immediately flooded. On the very first day of the 2025 application period, the county received 1,300 applications—nearly half the capacity of available slots. With several weeks still remaining before the window closes, Barnes said it’s likely that demand will again double the number of seats offered.
Economic Impact and Accessibility Challenges
The ongoing shortage reflects a broader national issue: limited access to affordable, quality childcare remains a barrier to both workforce participation and early childhood development. Without reliable childcare, parents—especially those in lower-income brackets—struggle to stay in the workforce. For children, a lack of early education opportunities can hinder social and intellectual growth before kindergarten.
The Preschool For All program aims to address this gap. Funded by a progressive income tax—1.5% on individuals earning over $150,000 and households earning over $200,000, with an additional 1.5% for higher-income earners—the initiative began with a modest goal of enrolling 500 children. It quickly exceeded that number, enrolling 728 in its debut year.
Still, the financial burden of childcare remains a key motivator for parents. Portland-area parent Jered Bogli, whose son is enrolled in a county-funded preschool, shared that the program arrived at a critical moment. “We were struggling,” he said, recalling a period of unemployment and his wife’s return to school. “Our previous preschool cost more than our mortgage.” The county’s program made early learning accessible for his family—and for many others in similar circumstances.
Equity and Future Goals
While the preschool initiative is open to families of all income levels, county leaders have prioritized access for those most in need. Currently, 71% of participating families are considered low income, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive essential support. The program has also contributed to greater equity in early education. Although Multnomah County is 78% white, 65% of children enrolled in Preschool For All are children of color. Moreover, over 75% of smaller centers and family-run sites are owned or operated by people of color.
The county’s long-term goal is to provide universal preschool access to 11,000 children by 2030. While reaching that figure will require significant expansion, current momentum indicates the program is moving steadily in the right direction. For now, though, leaders acknowledge that the gap between demand and capacity remains a pressing challenge—but one they are committed to closing.
