A new report from Oregon State University finds that preschool-age child care deserts are in decline across the state.

This report is the fourth OSU has produced on child care deserts in Oregon since 2018, and captures a snapshot of providers in December 2024. A child care desert is any community where there are more than three children per regulated child care slot. (A regulated site is licensed by the state for health and safety.) The report finds that of the 36 counties in the state, the number considered deserts for preschool aged childcare have decreased from 27 to 9 since 2018—about a 67% drop.

At the same time, the report finds little progress building care capacity for infants and toddlers. Just two counties, Gilliam and Multnomah, are not considered deserts in this category. Tha

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