Alabama Child Care Grants, Programs and Services
Whether you are looking to start a child care program in Alabama or are a seasoned owner, there are many resources available to help fund your programs. Each state has a primary agency or organization responsible for subsidizing child care programs. They partner with local child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies and shared services organizations to raise awareness of grant opportunities and support the distribution of funding. They also provide additional programs and services to help you run your business.
Alabama Child Care Grants, Programs and Services
Primary State Agency (Child Care Development Fund)
This primary agency oversees early care and education programs and services in Alabama, and is responsible for subsidizing child care programs through federal and state grants. Visit the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R Agency)
Child Care Resource & Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are another great resource for assisting child care providers with available grants and funding and other resources. Find your local CCR&R.
Champions for Mixed Delivery Monthly Call
The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) and National Child Care Association (NCCA) and are partnering to offer Champions of Mixed Delivery, a series of monthly check-in calls to share and receive updates about key proposals, coordinate messaging and talking points and share resources for advocacy. View dates and register for a call here.
Alabama Child Care Licensing Requirements
Learn more about Alabama early learning standards: Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
Learn more about child care licensing requirements in Alabama: Alabama Department of Human Resources
Alabama Early Childhood Education Quality Ratings, Curriculum and Assessments
Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS)
Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. Many states require these quality standards in order to receive grants and additional funding. View more details at Alabama Quality Stars.
State-Aligned Curriculum
Feel confident knowing your curriculum aligns to your state standards. Procare Early Learning by Learning Beyond Paper provides a 100% digital curriculum and assessments addressing the needs of child care centers, daycares, preschools and early learning teachers.
Assessments
Simplify the assessment process and meet state standards with a unique early childhood assessment framework that makes clarity a key strength of your child care center’s assessments and communications.
Average Cost of Child Care in Alabama
Understanding the cost of child care in Alabama is important for both parents and child care providers.
Annual Child Care Costs in Alabama
In Alabama, the average annual cost of infant care is $7,800.
Child Care Affordability in Alabama
Families in Alabama struggle to find affordable child care. For the typical Alabama family, child care costs 8% of gross income.
More Information on Alabama Child Care
Minimum wage workers in Alabama make as little as $15,080 per year or less, contributing to Alabama’s poverty rate of 16.9%, the sixth highest in the U.S. Families in Alabama would benefit significantly from the increased availability of affordable, quality child care in their communities.
View child care costs in other states.
Professional Development Resources
Professional development programs are designed to encourage, support and recognize early childhood professionals seeking to expand their skills to raise the quality of their programs. View a list of professional development resources for child care providers here.