Preschool for All: One Step Closer
All children in our community deserve the chance to enter kindergarten with the tools they need to learn, grow, and be successful. When children have access to quality early learning experiences, their positive outcomes in school increase significantly. SVP Portland is proud to celebrate the Preschool for All Task Force's report on the current state of preschool in Multnomah County and recommendations for how we can provide equitable access to high-quality early learning for all children. This report is the first step to making universal preschool a reality.
Eight SVP Partners were deeply engaged in this process, including writing the final report.
Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson shared her dedication to making Preschool for All a reality in our community in a post below.
Over the last 10 months I have led a coalition of 30 leaders from the public, private, and social sectors in developing a report on the state of preschool in Multnomah County.
That report, released today, calls for a dramatic expansion of affordable, high quality preschool opportunities for children in Multnomah County. It calls for using a more localized income criteria for free preschool, capping preschool costs for all families at no more than 7 percent of household income, and increasing compensation and training for the early learning workforce.A strong body of research shows the tremendous impact of high-quality early learning programs on a child’s brain development, school readiness, and family well being. Economists estimate that the rate of return for funding high-quality preschool ranges between $7 and $10 for every dollar invested.Expanding preschool opportunities to everyone in our community —just as other cities like Seattle and San Francisco have done—is one of the best investments we can make. This report provides us with a community-led roadmap for how to build a preschool system that we can be proud of.
Many thanks to the organizations who gave their time and energy to this process, including (but not limited to):
Family Forward Action
Portland Business Alliance
Latino Network
Portland Public Schools
Portland Seed Fund
Kairospdx
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
David Douglas School District
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
Portland Children's Levy
Mt. Hood Community College
Health Share of Oregon
Social Venture Partners Portland
Portland State University
Home Forward
Parkrose School District
Albina Head Start
Naya Family Center
Kaiser Permanente Northwest
Children's Institute
Black Parent Initiative
KinderCare Learning Centers