Embedded Files
Check out the 2026 Prioritized Needs
Scope
Scope
Early care and education includes childcare access, Pre-K participation, and developmental supports for children from birth to age five. This domain focuses on school readiness and early brain development.
High-quality early education reduces remediation costs, improves long-term educational attainment, and supports workforce participation for families.Early care and education includes childcare, Pre-K participation, and early developmental supports for children birth to five.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Early brain development occurs primarily before age five.
High-quality early education reduces later remediation costs.
Affordable childcare affects workforce participation.
Children entering kindergarten behind often remain behind.
This is a long-term prevention investment domain.
This is a long-term prevention investment domain.
Required Data
Required Data
First Class Pre-K participation
Licensed childcare facilities
License-exempt centers
1,563
33.7%
The number of children (four years of age) participating in First Class Pre-K divided by the estimated number of all children of that age.
157 licensed
37 exempt
The number of licensed or exempt childcare facilities located within a specified county as of May, 2025.
Licensed facilities are those that are licensed by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). This indicator encompasses family child care homes (serving six children or less), group child care homes (serving 7-12 children), and licensed child care centers (serving more than 12 children). Exempt child care centers are faith-based programs/schools that have submitted required documents to DHR and have received a letter of exemption. Homes where children are cared for by relatives or friends, as well as those that operate as businesses, but are not licensed by DHR, are not included in these numbers.
Primary Data Sources
Primary Data Sources
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE)
First Class Pre-K enrollment
Alabama DHR Child Care Licensing
Licensed and license-exempt centers
Alabama Kids Count
Preschool attendance indicators
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse