Child Care & Early Learning
Partnering with Preschool for All to create new career pathways for the recruitment and placement of early childhood educators.
Early Learning Works Creates Quality Jobs and Strengthens Communities
Funded primarily by $1.6 million from Multnomah County, Early Learning Works supports preschools across the region and serves individuals pursuing or exploring jobs in early childhood education. Our work contributes to the goals of Preschool for All, advancing a workforce equipped to provide responsive and joyful early learning experiences for Multnomah County’s vibrant communities.
Early Learning Jobs
Jobs in this sector include teachers and support staff at in-home and center-based child care sites and preschools. Worksystems currently supports pathways to jobs at Preschool for All sites, because the benefits and wages—set by Multnomah County—meet Quality Jobs requirements.
Educators at Preschool for All sites receive:
Free professional development opportunities, including eligibility for college/university scholarships
On-site coaching on teaching practices
Paid planning time
Paid time off
Health benefits covering at least 50% of employee costs
Wage and salary minimums at Preschool for All sites are set and raised annually by Multnomah County. In 2024:
Teacher’s aides and assistants earn a minimum of
$21.68/hour
Lead teacher salary pay range is
$52,021-$77,960
In 2025, more than 130 preschool sites will participate in Preschool for All. Steady job growth is predicted as Multnomah County builds toward universal preschool in 2030.
Our priority is recruiting new educators, with a focus on serving communities that have faced barriers to higher education and employment opportunities. Our goal is that 80% or more participants will identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, multilingual, high school or recent graduates, immigrants, refugees, or parents of preschoolers.
Through partnerships with community organizations, colleges, and WorkSource centers, Early Learning Works provides:
Key Initiatives:
SummerWorks is a paid short-term employment and training program, designed to introduce youth ages 16 – 24 to employers who will positively impact their futures. Programming in 2025 will focus on providing a direct path for high school Career and Technical Education students into paid opportunities working with young children.
Paid Work Opportunities provide work-ready job seekers new to the early learning field with placements in licensed preschools
- Workers earn $16-18/hour and receive additional stipends for training and program completion
- Preschool sites interested in adding staffing and supporting a new educator can host a Paid Worker at no cost
In Washington County, West Side Works — funded in part by Washington County’s investment of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act — helps Beaverton preschools and childcare centers recover from the pandemic by connecting them with new employees and covering the costs of those employees’ wages.
Thank you to our partners who provide population-specific outreach and career coaching!
