Oregon is experiencing a historic moment in early childhood investment. In 2025–2026, millions of dollars are being directed toward preschool and child care facilities across Oregon, with a strong emphasis on improving learning environments, safety, accessibility, and child wellbeing. This is a great opportunity for local childcare provider to acquire Oregon preschool playground grants.

These funding opportunities are especially relevant for Oregon preschools in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, Corvallis, Hillsboro, Beaverton, and communities throughout the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, and beyond.

For preschool directors and administrators, this creates a powerful opportunity: Outdoor play areas, playgrounds, and site improvements are now highly fundable through multiple Oregon preschool grants.

If you’re writing (or preparing to write) a grant proposal, this is an ideal time to think beyond replacing aging equipment and instead envision a purposefully designed outdoor learning environment that supports movement, creativity, inclusion, and joy.

At Learning Landscapes Design, we specialize in natural playground design and site planning for preschools across Oregon (and beyond), helping programs turn grant funding into meaningful, buildable playscapes.

Major Oregon Grant Opportunities Supporting Preschool Playground & Site Design

Several active and recurring funding programs explicitly support Oregon preschool playground grants, outdoor learning environments, and site improvements.

Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF)

The Oregon Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF) is one of the most impactful funding sources currently available to early childhood providers.

CCIF funding can support:

• Preschool playground renovations and expansions
• Natural playground and outdoor learning space design
• Site safety, drainage, and accessibility improvements
• Outdoor play areas that support gross motor and fine motor development
• Planning and design costs related to construction

Because CCIF prioritizes long-term facility improvements, proposals that clearly connect playground design to child development outcomes tend to be especially competitive.

Preschool for All Facilities Funding (Multnomah County)

Preschools participating in Preschool for All can access facilities funding to improve indoor and outdoor learning environments. This is a great place to look for Oregon preschool playground grants.

Eligible outdoor improvements include:

• Playground redesign or replacement
• Accessibility upgrades beyond minimum ADA requirements
• Outdoor learning spaces that support early childhood education goals

Preschool for All recognizes that high-quality outdoor environments are essential to high-quality preschool programming, not an optional amenity.

 

BuildUp Oregon & Other Facility Funding Opportunities

BuildUp Oregon and other statewide initiatives periodically support preschool facility and site improvements, including outdoor play areas. Many successful applicants begin planning early so designs are ready when funding rounds open.

 

Why Preschool Playground & Site Design Scores Well in Grant Applications

Thoughtfully designed outdoor environments help grant reviewers clearly understand how funding will improve outcomes for children.

Strong Oregon preschool grant applications often highlight how playgrounds and outdoor spaces support:

• Gross motor development (climbing, running, balancing, jumping)
• Fine motor and sensory play (digging, building, manipulating materials)
• Social-emotional learning through collaboration and imaginative play
• Nature connection and self-regulation
• Inclusive play design that goes beyond minimum ADA standards
• Equitable access to high-quality early learning environments

When outdoor spaces are intentionally designed as part of the learning environment, they become a powerful, fundable asset.

Example Project: Buttercup Hill Children’s Center — Salem, Oregon

This natural playground project in Salem, Oregon demonstrates how preschool outdoor environments can align with funding priorities while supporting diverse types of play.

The Buttercup Hill playground includes:

• Gross motor play zones for climbing, running, and active movement
• Fine motor and sensory areas, including gravel digging and loose materials play
• Open sports and movement spaces that support group play and physical confidence
• Imaginative Spaces including a fairy house, dinosaur dig, and nature kitchen
• A site layout that allows children to move fluidly between different play experiences

Rather than relying on a single play structure, the site was designed as a landscape of play opportunities—supporting multiple ages, abilities, and learning styles throughout the day.

Projects like Buttercup Hill photograph beautifully, function well over time, and clearly demonstrate how Oregon preschool playground grant funding can be translated into meaningful outdoor learning environments.

 

Serving Preschools Across Oregon

Learning Landscapes Design works with early childhood providers throughout Oregon, including the Portland metro region, Salem, Eugene, Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, and the Oregon Coast.

We understand:

• Oregon-specific preschool funding programs
• Local site and climate considerations
• Permitting and regulatory requirements as well as national safety guidelines
• How to align playground and site design with grant goals

We regularly collaborate with preschools providers ensure outdoor environments are grant-aligned, meet safety guidelines, are buildable, and durable.

How Learning Landscapes Design Supports Grant-Funded Preschool Projects

We partner with preschool directors, nonprofit operators, and early childhood organizations to turn funding opportunities into clear, compelling, and buildable designs. 

Our support often includes:

• Translating educational goals into grant-ready playground concepts for Oregon preschool playground grant applications
• Designing natural playgrounds and outdoor learning environments aligned with Oregon funding priorities
• Helping programs clearly articulate how outdoor spaces support early childhood development
• Creating designs that are maintainable, durable, and appropriate for licensing and permitting
• Supporting phased playground projects that can grow as additional funding becomes available

Learn more about our Oregon preschool playground design services and how we support early childhood providers statewide.

Tips for Oregon Preschool Grant Writers

• Even early in the grant-writing process, having a conceptual playground or site plan can significantly strengthen an application.
• We can help with standard square foot costing to develop your grant ask.
• A few of the grants ask for multiple bids. We provide text on the process and how and when bids will be acquired.
• We can provide a realistic, well-scoped vision for how funds will be used

If your preschool is exploring Oregon Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF) grants, Preschool for All facilities funding, or other Oregon preschool funding opportunities, we’d love to be a resource.

Contact Learning Landscapes Design to:

• Discuss grant-eligible playground and site improvements
• Review your existing outdoor space
• Explore how natural playground design can support your funding goals
• Help developing your grant ask so it covers your project’s needs

Thoughtful outdoor environments don’t just meet requirements — they change how children play, learn, and feel every day.