![Preschool for All](https://www.mudpiespreschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemons-480x600.jpg)
![Preschool for All](https://www.mudpiespreschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemons-480x600.jpg)
Hello! Preschool for All is getting rolled out across Multnomah County. We’ve created this page in a simple Q&A format to help the families in our community help navigate.
What is Preschool for All?
Preschool for All (PFA) connects 3 and 4 year olds in Multnomah County to free, culturally responsive, inclusive preschool experiences. Here’s more information from the source.
Is Mud Pies Preschool part of Preschool for All?
Yes! We were informed on November 30, 2023 that we have qualified as a Preschool for All Pilot Site. We have been allocated a handful of Preschool for All slots for the 2024-25 school year.
Who qualifies for Preschool for All spots?
To qualify a child must
- live in Multnomah County
- be 3-4 years old on or before Sept 1, 2023
- Income is not an eligibility requirement to apply.
Families with the least access to high-quality preschool will be prioritized including:
- Black, Brown, Native American Indigenous, and all Children of Color
- Children who speak languages other than English
- Children with developmental delays and disabilities
- Children living in or at risk of placement in foster care
- Children from families experiencing low incomes
- Children experiencing homelessness
How does enrollment work?
After watching the process roll out over the past year, it seems like this is the general flow: in the fall, the Preschool for All (PFA) team identifies schools and slots; in the spring (the PFA Family Application is open through April 30, 2024 for the 2024-25 school year), families are invited to apply in be able to filter schools based on location, hours, services, etc and rank their top 6 schools; about a month later families find out if they “matched” and scheduling proceeds from there.
For Mud Pies, participating in PFA will be a new variable for us in 2024. Scheduling is always a bit of a jenga puzzle! We’re cautiously optimistic that it will be a smooth transition.
Overall in the area, options are increasing each year. In the Fall of 2023 there were 1400 PFA slots at almost 80 locations. PFA will increase the number of children and families served each year, until there is a publicly funded preschool slot for every interested family in Multnomah County by 2030 (approximately 11,000-12,000 slots). Families with the least access to high-quality preschool will be prioritized.
If I apply for Preschool for All, will I get to go to Mud Pies?
Those are two different things. Current families will be able to continue with Mud Pies Preschool regardless of PFA participation. It looks like we have a handful of guaranteed PFA spots for the 2024-25 school year. We are still in the process of confirming details and ensuring current families get prioritized. From our perspective in the fall of 2023, it seems like at least four families will benefit from PFA’s free tuition in the 2024-25 school year.
So should I apply?
It is entirely up to you. We understand that a lot of variables go into the decisionmaking process of where to send a child to preschool; free tuition is a big variable! The opportunity cost of applying for a Preschool for All slot seems low (we’ve heard it’s quite an easy process). Then, if a family is offered a spot, that family will have more variables to consider and decisions to make.
What we ask from families, should they choose to leave our program to take a Preschool for All spot at *another* program, is that they provide one month of tuition as a “break up fee” with the rationale that they will not be paying tuition (!) (and we will be scrambling to do the things to accept a new child, onboard that family, etc).
What else should I know about equity, inclusion and retention? (taken from a PFA presentation)
- All children and families are welcomed, and should not be turned away based on disabilities or developmental delays
- Children are not required to be potty trained
- Inclusion supports, including funding for providers, to ensure that all children can participate in classroom activities alongside their peers
- Partner with early childhood mental health and special education services to ensure that preschool providers have classroom supports
- Focus is on retention for all children; no suspension or exclusion policy
- Support preschool providers with culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and anti-bias practices
Are there any other support systems?
Yes. Preschool for All partners with “Family Navigators” to do community outreach to priority populations. These organizations include:
- American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) (English and Spanish)
- Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) (English and Vietnamese)
- Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) (English)
- Latino Network (English and Spanish)
Any other variables that Mud Pies Preschool is considering? What next?
This is a big change in the preschool scene of this area. With change can come big feelings. The fiscal tailwinds are tremendous, and we believe that this investment will be transformative, in a positive way, for many lives. We will continue to monitor the scene and keep everyone posted. We imagine this blog post page will shape-shift over time as our participation grows. Thank you for reading! And if you have any further questions please reach out.