Alabama
Overview Link copied!
Click on a result for more information.
| Strategy Name | Strategy Type(s) | Year | Funding Amount | Funding Source | Features at a Glance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ADECE Coaching
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) provides coaching and technical assistance support to early childhood programs across the state. Under the Office of Early Childhood Development, ADECE offers a variety of programs, including Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Coaching, which provides coaching and technical assistance for programs (childcare and family child care) in the EHS-CCP partnership; First Class Foundations Coaching for educators in the state-funded First Class pre-K program; DHR–ASSIST, which provides coaching and technical assistance related to social emotional learning and resilience for adults and children in child care and family child care; and Quality Rating and Improvement coaching and technical assistance to early childhood programs to support teacher and child interactions in the classroom.
Learn More: Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
Sources:
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. (n.d.). Professional Development.
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. (2021). Alabama Early Childhood B-8 Coaching Framework.
|
|
Includes training and coaching
|
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) provides coaching and technical assistance support to early childhood programs across the state. Under the Office of Early Childhood Development, ADECE offers a variety of programs, including Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Coaching, which provides coaching and technical assistance for programs (childcare and family child care) in the EHS-CCP partnership; First Class Foundations Coaching for educators in the state-funded First Class pre-K program; DHR–ASSIST, which provides coaching and technical assistance related to social emotional learning and resilience for adults and children in child care and family child care; and Quality Rating and Improvement coaching and technical assistance to early childhood programs to support teacher and child interactions in the classroom.
Learn More: Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
Sources:
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. (n.d.). Professional Development.
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. (2021). Alabama Early Childhood B-8 Coaching Framework.
|
|||
|
Alabama Data Dashboard
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education's Data Dashboard is a data visualization tool. It provides demographic and program information for public use on the state's First Class Pre-K program and other services offered by the Department, including First Teacher Home Visiting and Preschool to 3rd Grade Continuum sites.
Learn more: alabama data dashboard
|
|
Data Visualization Tool
|
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education's Data Dashboard is a data visualization tool. It provides demographic and program information for public use on the state's First Class Pre-K program and other services offered by the Department, including First Teacher Home Visiting and Preschool to 3rd Grade Continuum sites.
Learn more: alabama data dashboard
|
|||
|
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
In 2015, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education was created as an executive department of state government, replacing the Department of Children’s Affairs, to oversee programs that support young children in the state. This cabinet-level agency is led by a secretary who reports to the governor. Within the department, four offices guide the state’s early childhood priorities: the Office of School Readiness, the Office of Early Learning and Family Support, the Head Start Collaboration Office, and the Office of Child Development and Professional Support. The Alabama Children’s Policy Council, which coordinates services across the state through a local entity in each county, was created by executive order in 2015, the same year the Department was renamed.
Learn more: Education Commission of the States
Source:
Education Commission of the States (2018). Education Governance Dashboard State Profile Alabama.
|
|
2015 | $241 million |
State general funds
|
An executive order established the Alabama Children’s Policy Council, which coordinates services across the state through a local entity in each county.
|
In 2015, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education was created as an executive department of state government, replacing the Department of Children’s Affairs, to oversee programs that support young children in the state. This cabinet-level agency is led by a secretary who reports to the governor. Within the department, four offices guide the state’s early childhood priorities: the Office of School Readiness, the Office of Early Learning and Family Support, the Head Start Collaboration Office, and the Office of Child Development and Professional Support. The Alabama Children’s Policy Council, which coordinates services across the state through a local entity in each county, was created by executive order in 2015, the same year the Department was renamed.
Learn more: Education Commission of the States
Source:
Education Commission of the States (2018). Education Governance Dashboard State Profile Alabama.
|
|
Child Care Facility Tax Credit
In March 2024, Governor Kay Ivey signed HB 358, creating the Alabama Child Care Facility Tax Credit, which supports the expansion, improvement, and operation of child care facilities through tax credits for child care providers.
Alabama child care providers who own and operate a qualified child care facility licensed by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, and who participate in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (Quality STARS) and the Child Care Subsidy Program, are eligible for the tax incentive.
Through the tax credit, a child care provider can receive $1,000 to $2,000 per child who is enrolled and receiving child care assistance, depending on the facility’s quality rating under the Alabama Quality STARS program. An eligible child care provider may receive a credit of up to $25,000 per year, which can be used for income taxes, financial institution excise taxes, insurance premium taxes, or utility license taxes.
The tax credit has an annual aggregate cap of $5 million for all child care providers; 25% of that is reserved for child care facilities that operate exclusively in rural areas. The tax credits went into effect on January 1, 2025, and will end on December 31, 2027, unless the legislature extends them.
learn more: child care facility tax credit
Sources:
Women's Foundation of Alabama. (2024). Alabama Child Care Tax Credits: Understanding the Basics.
Alabama Department of Revenue. (2025). Facility Tax Credit — General Guidelines.
Alabama Department of Revenue. (n.d.). Procedures for Childcare Facility Tax Credit.
|
|
2024 |
The Child Care Facility Tax Credit supports the expansion, improvement, and operation of child care facilities through tax credits for child care providers
|
In March 2024, Governor Kay Ivey signed HB 358, creating the Alabama Child Care Facility Tax Credit, which supports the expansion, improvement, and operation of child care facilities through tax credits for child care providers.
Alabama child care providers who own and operate a qualified child care facility licensed by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, and who participate in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (Quality STARS) and the Child Care Subsidy Program, are eligible for the tax incentive.
Through the tax credit, a child care provider can receive $1,000 to $2,000 per child who is enrolled and receiving child care assistance, depending on the facility’s quality rating under the Alabama Quality STARS program. An eligible child care provider may receive a credit of up to $25,000 per year, which can be used for income taxes, financial institution excise taxes, insurance premium taxes, or utility license taxes.
The tax credit has an annual aggregate cap of $5 million for all child care providers; 25% of that is reserved for child care facilities that operate exclusively in rural areas. The tax credits went into effect on January 1, 2025, and will end on December 31, 2027, unless the legislature extends them.
learn more: child care facility tax credit
Sources:
Women's Foundation of Alabama. (2024). Alabama Child Care Tax Credits: Understanding the Basics.
Alabama Department of Revenue. (2025). Facility Tax Credit — General Guidelines.
Alabama Department of Revenue. (n.d.). Procedures for Childcare Facility Tax Credit.
|
||
|
Child Care Workforce Stabilization Grant (CCWS)
Since November 2021, Alabama educators in licensed child care programs have been eligible for quarterly bonus payments of $3,000 (full-time employees) or $1,500 (part-time employees). These bonuses are designed to help recruit and retain educators as the early education field continues to recover from the pandemic. Bonuses are delivered to educators via a grant to the child care programs that employ them; since the program began, the state has administered grants to nearly 7,000 programs across the state. In the last quarter of 2022, nearly 12,000 educators received a bonus through this program. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the program is slated to end in September 2023.
Learn More: Alabama Department of Human Resources
Sources:
Alabama Department of Human Resources. (2021). Alabama DHR Announces Grants for Stabilizing Child Care Workforce.
Alabama Department of Human Resources (2023). Application period starts next week for 6th round of child care bonuses.
|
|
2021 |
CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization)
|
$1,500 – $3,000 bonus per educator per quarter
|
Since November 2021, Alabama educators in licensed child care programs have been eligible for quarterly bonus payments of $3,000 (full-time employees) or $1,500 (part-time employees). These bonuses are designed to help recruit and retain educators as the early education field continues to recover from the pandemic. Bonuses are delivered to educators via a grant to the child care programs that employ them; since the program began, the state has administered grants to nearly 7,000 programs across the state. In the last quarter of 2022, nearly 12,000 educators received a bonus through this program. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the program is slated to end in September 2023.
Learn More: Alabama Department of Human Resources
Sources:
Alabama Department of Human Resources. (2021). Alabama DHR Announces Grants for Stabilizing Child Care Workforce.
Alabama Department of Human Resources (2023). Application period starts next week for 6th round of child care bonuses.
|
|
|
Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship
Established in 2021, the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Apprenticeship is a partnership between the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE), Wallace State Community College, Troy Univesity-Dothan, and Athens State University to increase opportunities to enter the early education workforce. Students can train in early education programs in 15 counties. The ECE Apprenticeship provides on-the-job training with a mentor, and participants complete related technical instruction from institutions of higher education. Apprentices can obtain stackable credentials, including a Child Development Associate certification, an associate degree, and/or a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, all while employed with a child care provider. Apprentices pay no cost to participate, and they earn progressive wage increases while they are learning. To offset the cost of the apprenticeship for the employer, all apprentices submit a FAFSA and apply for TEACH scholarships, Leadership in Childcare Scholarships, and C3 Scholarships. They also work with a business service representative to seek additional funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other grants. Any remaining costs are covered by ADECE and the Coleman Center for Early Learning and Family Enrichment at Troy University.
Learn More: Alabama Works!
Sources:
Alabama Works!. (n.d.). Alabama's first apprenticeship for early educators established.
WAFF. (2023). Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship program could help combat Alabama’s teacher shortage.
|
|
2021 |
Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five
|
Part of Federal Registered Apprenticeship Program
|
Established in 2021, the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Apprenticeship is a partnership between the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE), Wallace State Community College, Troy Univesity-Dothan, and Athens State University to increase opportunities to enter the early education workforce. Students can train in early education programs in 15 counties. The ECE Apprenticeship provides on-the-job training with a mentor, and participants complete related technical instruction from institutions of higher education. Apprentices can obtain stackable credentials, including a Child Development Associate certification, an associate degree, and/or a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, all while employed with a child care provider. Apprentices pay no cost to participate, and they earn progressive wage increases while they are learning. To offset the cost of the apprenticeship for the employer, all apprentices submit a FAFSA and apply for TEACH scholarships, Leadership in Childcare Scholarships, and C3 Scholarships. They also work with a business service representative to seek additional funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other grants. Any remaining costs are covered by ADECE and the Coleman Center for Early Learning and Family Enrichment at Troy University.
Learn More: Alabama Works!
Sources:
Alabama Works!. (n.d.). Alabama's first apprenticeship for early educators established.
WAFF. (2023). Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship program could help combat Alabama’s teacher shortage.
|
|
|
First Class Pre-K Salary Parity
In 2015, Alabama enacted a salary parity policy to ensure that First Class Pre-K teachers in all types of settings were paid the same as educators in comparable roles in public K-12 schools. This policy was introduced in part to address high levels of turnover among community-based early educators. This pay parity policy applies to both lead and auxiliary (assistant) teachers in all settings. Alabama's First Class pre-K program provides pre-K services for 4-year-old children in many types of settings, including public schools, community-based centers, Head Start programs, faith-based programs, and military programs. In addition to salary parity, this policy also provides First Class Pre-K teachers with one hour of daily planning time and seven paid planning days per year, which is equivalent to the planning time that similarly educated K-12 educators receive.
Learn More: Child Trends Report: Alabama Salary Parity
Sources:
Gebhart, T., Carlson, J., Harris, P., & Epstein, D. (2020). Workforce Perceptions and Experiences with the Alabama Early Care and Education Salary Parity Policy, Child Trends.
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. (2017). Alabama First Class Pre-K.
|
|
2015 |
Lead teacher in community-based settings: $39,301; lead teacher in public school settings: salary as provided by local school system salary matrix
|
In 2015, Alabama enacted a salary parity policy to ensure that First Class Pre-K teachers in all types of settings were paid the same as educators in comparable roles in public K-12 schools. This policy was introduced in part to address high levels of turnover among community-based early educators. This pay parity policy applies to both lead and auxiliary (assistant) teachers in all settings. Alabama's First Class pre-K program provides pre-K services for 4-year-old children in many types of settings, including public schools, community-based centers, Head Start programs, faith-based programs, and military programs. In addition to salary parity, this policy also provides First Class Pre-K teachers with one hour of daily planning time and seven paid planning days per year, which is equivalent to the planning time that similarly educated K-12 educators receive.
Learn More: Child Trends Report: Alabama Salary Parity
Sources:
Gebhart, T., Carlson, J., Harris, P., & Epstein, D. (2020). Workforce Perceptions and Experiences with the Alabama Early Care and Education Salary Parity Policy, Child Trends.
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. (2017). Alabama First Class Pre-K.
|
Demographics Link copied!
Demographics Data Scorecard
State population
5,074,296 Source U.S. Census, 2022
Rural %
42.3% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Urban %
57.7% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Number of children 0–4
291,802 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty
48% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Median family income among households with children
$69,100.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Unemployment rate
2.9% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024
Unemployment rate of parents
3% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force
65% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children living in households with a high housing cost burden
26% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Race and Ethnicity
- American Indian and Alaska Native (.5%)
- Asian (1%)
- Black or African American (29%)
- Hispanic or Latino (8%)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (2.5%)
- Two or more races (4%)
- White, not Hispanic or Latino (57%)
| Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | R | R |
| State House | R | R | R | R | R |
| State Senate | R | R | R | R | R |
Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!
3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023
Programs
-
Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
0% (2021), 0% (2022), 0% (2023) - Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
- Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
- Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023
Programs
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
Workforce Link copied!
2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source: CSCCE
Role
-
Child Care Workers
$9.34 (2017, adjusted)
$9.19 (2019) -
Preschool Teachers
$11.49 (2017, adjusted)
$10.29 (2019) -
Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
$17.11 (2017, adjusted)
$18.07 (2019)
Funding Sources Link copied!
Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024
Funding Source
- Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($160.9)
- CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($205.9)
- CCDBG State Match ($11.9)
- State-Funded Pre-K ($173.7)
- MIECHV ($8.3)
- IDEA Part C ($7.8)
- IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($6.2)
- TANF Early Learning and Care ($44.3)
- Preschool Development Grant Birth ($4)