Help Paying for Preschool in Oregon (2026)
Preschool is expensive, but Oregon families have three main ways to lower or eliminate the cost: Head Start, public pre-K, and a childcare subsidy. Here's who qualifies for each — then check your family in seconds.
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Head Start & Early Head Start in Oregon
Head Start is free, federally funded preschool (ages 3–5; Early Head Start under 3) for families at or below the federal poverty line — about $33,000 for a family of four in Oregon (2026) — and it's free regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. See the full income limits by household size → · Find a Oregon program →
Public pre-K in Oregon
Oregon's public pre-K, Oregon Prekindergarten (OPK) / Preschool Promise, is income- or risk-based (ages 3–4; income-based (OPK ≈ Head Start limits; Preschool Promise ≤200% FPL); not statewide-universal). Families under the program's income line — or who qualify on other factors (English learner, disability, foster, homeless) — can attend free. Official Oregon program info →
Childcare subsidy in Oregon
Separate from preschool programs, Oregon's childcare subsidy — Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) — helps working families pay for care (infants and toddlers included, not just preschoolers), for income up to under 200% of the federal poverty level at initial certification — roughly $66,000 for a family of four — measured against the federal poverty level. Apply or learn more →
Preschools in Oregon
See also: when your child can start school in Oregon · how to afford preschool · how much preschool costs.