Monday, Jun. 26, 2023
Portland, Oregon - United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s Early Learning Multnomah recently launched Preschool Marketplace, a website where parents and caregivers can search for publicly funded preschool providers. Preschool Marketplace is a one-stop resource for finding free and reduced-cost preschools in the Portland metro area that best fit the needs of the family and child. Users can utilize the searchable map to find providers, then click on any provider to learn more.
"Parents have told us that it can be confusing to find a preschool and that they have to do a lot of searching," said Molly Day, Early Learning Director at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. "This new website makes it easier to search all the programs by what's closest to a family's home or work, and we’re super grateful to our partners for stepping up to make it happen."
The website is a tool developed by parents for parents with the guidance of Early Learning Multnomah’s Parent Accountability Council and in partnership with Albina Head Start, Mt. Hood Community College Head Start, Neighborhood House, PPS Early Learners, Preschool for All, Preschool Promise and 211Info.
“This kind of collaborative effort is so important as we seek ways to ensure our children have access to preschool,” said United Way of the Columbia-Willamette CEO Kelly O’Lague. “Study after study shows that early learning programs are critical to ready children for kindergarten and set them on a path for long term success.”
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About United of the Columbia-Willamette
For more than one hundred years, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette has been working to meet the needs of vulnerable families. No matter the crisis, we have always remained steadfast to our commitment to LIVE UNITED. Together, we are helping our community recover and become more resilient, while building a more inclusive and equitable region where all families have the resources and opportunities to thrive. For more information and to get involved, please visit www.unitedway-pdx.org.