Three years after becoming a stand-alone state agency, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is celebrating a major milestone and spotlighting the many ways Oregon is supporting young children, including 3-year-olds.
“Turning three is a big moment for any child – and for our agency, it marks a turning point,” said Alyssa Chatterje, DELC Director. “We’re proud to be one of the few states prioritizing preschool access for 3‑year‑olds. At the same time, we know many families struggle to find high quality, affordable child care. Ensuring every family has access to safe, enriching, and stable care is the goal that keeps us moving.”
Oregon is ranked 14th in the nation for early learning access for 3-year-olds according to the National Institute for Early Education Research’s 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook. Unlike many states that focus primarily on serving 4-year-olds, Oregon is providing high-quality early learning opportunities to 3-year-olds and is one of the few states with adequate funding per child to meet state standards and support quality.
The first three years of life are the most important for human development with the first 1,000 days being particularly transformative for learning and rapid brain growth. Yet at the same time, care for infants and toddlers remains among the most expensive and hardest to find, with the majority of Oregon counties qualifying as severe child care deserts. Families unable to secure care face difficult decisions about leaving the workforce, which carries major economic consequences across the state.
To meet these urgent needs, DELC has expanded programs designed for Oregon’s youngest learners. Among them:
Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK) – A state-funded initiative modeled after Head Start that blends federal, state, local, and private dollars. This braided funding approach allows programs to offer high-quality, culturally responsive early childhood education. It also offers health care, nutrition, and comprehensive family support services for pregnant people and children through age five.
- Baby Promise – A nationally recognized Oregon initiative providing full-time, high-quality care for infants and toddlers up to 3-years-old. The program centers the critical early years, fostering secure attachments and supporting social-emotional development.
- Healthy Families Oregon – A free, voluntary home visiting program that offers support and empowers parents to build nurturing parent-child relationships, learn about child development, and access community resources.
“As we reflect on three years of progress, we remain deeply committed to strengthening Oregon’s early learning system and supporting the families we serve,” said Chatterjee.
“The partnerships and collaboration across our communities make this work possible – and we’re excited for what the next chapter will bring.”
To mark the anniversary, DELC is releasing a “Focus on 3!” downloadable coloring page and inviting families to tag DELC on social media with completed works of art. Families can find information about child care calling 2-1-1. Families can learn more about DELC’s programs by visiting Oregon.gov/DELC.
About the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care
The Department of Early Learning and Care’s mission is to foster coordinated, culturally appropriate, and family-centered services that recognize and respect the strengths and needs of all children, families, and early learning and care professionals. More information about DELC is available at Oregon.gov/DELC. You can also connect with DELC on Facebook or sign up for news alerts and updates.
