Find the best free and reduced-cost preschools in the Portland metro area
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How this works

Preschool Marketplace:

  • Is a one-stop resource for finding the best reduced-cost preschools and childcare near you.
  • Collects lists of preschool providers (for children ages 3 to 5) who receive funds from one or more of our partners.

How to use:

  • Enter any address — for example your home or workplace — in our searchable map to find providers near that address.
  • Click on any provider to learn more about them.
  • Contact the provider or partner programs they participate in for more information or to enroll.

All Preschool Marketplace programs:

  • Serve children aged 3-5 years old
  • Are facilitated by trained and certified early childhood professionals
  • Utilize a preschool curriculum emphasizing reading and math skills, social-emotional skills, and school readiness

Types of preschool programs:

Headstart programs offer full day and partial day programs in a dedicated preschool center or classroom from September-June. They offer wraparound services that include medical check-ups, dental care, and nutritious meals and have an emphasis on parent engagement.

Look for: Albina Head Start, Mt Hood CC, Neighborhood House

School-based programs offer full day and partial day programs in a preschool classroom within an elementary school. Attending preschool at an elementary school means the opportunity to attend the same school with older siblings, continuity from PreK to Kindergarten, and transportation support (available for some providers).

Look for: PPS Early Learners, Multnomah Early Childhood Program, Preschool Promise

In-home providers offer a preschool program in a dedicated preschool/childcare space within a provider’s home. In-home providers have the flexibility to offer longer program hours and year-round programs. Student-teacher ratios and class sizes are low and educators offer cultural and linguistic support. Since many in-home providers also offer childcare, preschool students have the opportunity to attend school together with a younger sibling.

Look for: Preschool Promise, Preschool for All

Participating partner programs:

Preschool Marketplace pools information from seven partner programs that all offer free or reduced cost preschool in Multnomah county. The programs differ in their program options, hours of service, eligibility, and locations served. The table below shows the current programs and eligibility criteria for each partner program. Learn more about partner programs

Albina Head Start Mt Hood Head Start Multnomah Early Childhood Program Neighborhood House PPS Early Learners Preschool for All Preschool Promise
Setting ⚬Preschool center
⚬School
⚬Preschool center
⚬School
⚬School ⚬Preschool center
⚬School
⚬School ⚬Preschool center
⚬School
⚬In-home Provider
⚬Preschool center
⚬School
⚬In-home Provider
Schedule ⚬Sept-June ⚬Sept-June ⚬Sept-June ⚬Sept-June ⚬Sept-June ⚬Sept-June
⚬Full year
⚬Sept-June
⚬Full year
Full time hours Mon-Fri
7AM-4:30 PM
Mon-Fri
7 hrs
Not available Mon-Fri
8:30-3:00 PM
Mon-Fri
6.5 hrs
Varies by provider Varies by provider
Part time hours Mon-Thur
3.5 hrs
Mon-Thur
2.75 hrs AM or PM
Mon-Thur
9:00AM-12:30PM
Varies by provider Varies by provider
Income eligibility 130% of FPL 130% of FPL N/A Cost $32 per month, Free and reduced tuition available 130% of FPL Varies: 100% FPL, 200% FPL, and no income limit slots All are eligible 200% of FPL
Service-based eligibility TANF, SNAP, SSI, ERDC TANF, SNAP, SSI, ERDC Open to all TANF, SNAP, SSI TANF, SNAP, SSI All are eligible TANF, SNAP, SSI
Other eligible groups ⚬Homeless
⚬Foster child
⚬Special needs child
⚬Homeless
⚬Foster child
⚬Student of MHCC
Open to all ⚬Homeless
⚬Foster child
⚬Homeless
⚬Foster child
All are eligible ⚬Homeless
⚬Foster child
Locations served N, NE and SE up to 110th. East Multnomah County Multnomah County West Multnomah County PPS school district Mutlnomah County Mutlnomah County
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