Governor Kotek, Community Leaders Discuss Need to Expand Affordable Childcare and Preschool

Salem, OR - Today, Governor Tina Kotek joined early childhood education leaders, families, and legislators at Harmony Montessori, a center participating in Multnomah County's Preschool for All (PFA), Oregon's Preschool Promise program, and the state's Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program, to highlight the progress Oregon has made, future goals for the state, and federal threats facing families who depend on affordable early learning options.

The event sets the stage for the work of the Early Childhood Care and Learning System Roundtable (ECCLSR), which the Governor convened in February 2026 to help build a pathway toward expanded childcare and preschool access across Oregon. The Roundtable's first report is projected to be released next month.

"Families shouldn't have to choose between finding affordable childcare and being able to work and support their families. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive from the very beginning," Governor Kotek said. "At a time when the Trump Administration is cutting programs that Oregon families rely on, we are moving in the opposite direction, striving to build on what is working, strengthening our early learning system, and expanding access to affordable childcare and preschool across Oregon. Every family deserves to know their child's future is a priority in Oregon."

Federal Cuts Threaten Head Start and OPK Families

Since its launch in 1965, federal Head Start has strengthened stability and opportunity for thousands of Oregon families. Oregon's own Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK) program, established in 1987 and modeled after Head Start, now operates statewide under the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), serving children from prenatal to age five and exceeding federal Head Start investments to reach tens of thousands of families. Oregon is the nation's largest state investor in Head Start, second only to the federal government, and Oregon has a strong track record of strategically utilizing federal dollars to support the state's youngest children.

Despite decades of proven success, the Trump Administration has proposed significant eligibility, staffing, service-delivery, and accountability rollbacks to Head Start that could erode access to high-quality early learning. In response, DELC submitted a public comment letter urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to:

• Provide sufficient transition time and clear federal guidance;
• Consult with Tribal governments;
• Engage meaningfully with Head Start recipients and families; and
• Demonstrate that changes will preserve-not weaken-access, service quality, and oversight.

"The more we hear parent testimonials on how receiving quality childcare services impacted, supported, and validated their families' needs, the more urgent and vital our collective response should be to ensure that every family in need receives quality childcare," said Elaine Harrison, Early Head Start Director at Albina Head Start. "We are grateful for the Governor's support of proven solutions that create a strong foundation for kids and families building their futures and know that she stands with us in our effort to maintain access to them."

On October 7, 2026, the Governor declared October 2026 Head Start Awareness Month.

Celebrating Oregon's Early Learning Investments

Oregon has spent more than a decade expanding high-quality childcare and preschool through Preschool Promise, Preschool for All, ERDC, and OPK. Yet too many families still struggle to find and afford the care they need.

• Preschool Promise (PSP) is a statewide, free program for families at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, funded by the 2015 Legislature when the Governor was Speaker (House Bill 3380), with expanded funding designated in 2019 with the passage of the Student Success Act.
• Preschool For All (PFA) is a local program in Multnomah County established by voters through a ballot measure in 2020. It is funded locally through a Multnomah County tax on high-income earners.
• Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) supports childcare costs for families working, studying, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The Governor has consistently supported this program as an essential part of the state's budget since it was established.

Since 2021, more than 200 families have used PSP and PFA to access early childhood education for their children at Harmony Montessori.

"Harmony has spent 32 years delivering high-quality early childhood education in East Multnomah county, more recently expanding its mission to ensure child-centered, authentic Montessori education accessible to historically underserved families. Today, across our total licensed capacity of 88 students, public funding forms the backbone of our enrollment," said Briana Weber, Head of School at Harmony Montessori. "Having navigated these systems from their earliest days, we've learned a great deal about what works-and where providers and families still face systemic challenges. I am grateful to Governor Kotek for providing a space to share about our insight today as we build a more resilient early learning ecosystem for Oregon."

"Investing in early childhood education pays dividends in the future, not only positively impacting the individual child and her family but also bolstering our state's economy and strengthening our K-12 education system so that every child in Oregon has the opportunity to build on their success," said State Representative Jules Walters (D - West Linn/Tualatin). "Throughout her first term, Governor Kotek has centered her work on lifting up Oregon families and tackling Oregon's major systemic problems. She is a leader in this work, and I am so grateful to her and her team for fighting for working families in this state."

Statewide Needs and the ECCLSR Roadmap

The Early Childhood Care and Learning System Roundtable is developing a multi-phase blueprint for an Oregon where every family can access and afford high-quality childcare and preschool:

• Phase 1 (March-August 2026): Strengthen existing childcare and preschool programs and DELC infrastructure
• Phase 2 (January-Summer 2027): Improve and expand infant and toddler childcare access
• Phase 3 (Summer-December 2027): Expand access to preschool and childcare for all 3- and 4-year-olds across all 36 counties

"The Roundtable members have been working collectively with deep commitment to build a better future for Oregonians," said Kali Ladd, CEO of the Children's Institute and Roundtable co-chair. "A future where childcare access supports families, strengthens small businesses, and ensures children thrive during the most foundational years of their development."

To learn more about ECCLSR, visit the Governor's website.

Photos from the event can be found here.