Measure 26-214, Preschool For All
PAALF Action Fund’s Position on Measure 26-214, Preschool For All
Even before COVID-19, there was a childcare and preschool crisis.
In Multnomah County:
Only 15% of preschool slots are publicly funded
Preschool teachers make half of the median kindergarten teacher salary
There is a severe shortage of preschool facilities and qualified teachers
Measure 26-214 will:
Grow the program to full capacity at a sustainable pace, while avoiding unintended consequences for providers of color, small businesses, and the existing child care marketplace, especially infant and toddler care. Based on the Preschool for All Task Force recommendations, Measure 26-214 prioritizes adding capacity for children and families with the least access to a preschool today.
Be a voluntary, tuition-free program, and parents can choose the qualified preschool program that works best for their child and family. Measure 26-214 includes options for public, private, home-based, center-based, and community-based providers, with full year and school year options, as well as funding for working families who require before and after school care.
Be joyful, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Measure 26-214 programs will focus on the developmental needs of children through standards that address all parts of a child’s learning and development. The plan also includes workforce investments in professional development, coaching, and equity-focused pathways to higher education and community-based training opportunities for teachers.