Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Programs: Building a Foundation for the Future
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) oversees a variety of programs designed to support the development of young children across the state. Recognizing that 90% of the human brain develops before the age of 5, ADECE prioritizes early childhood education (ECE) to lay a strong foundation for future success. These programs focus on providing quality learning experiences, supporting families, and strengthening the early childhood workforce.
First Class Pre-K: Alabama's Commitment to Early Learning
The Alabama First Class Pre-K program is a cornerstone of ADECE's efforts. This program provides access to high-quality early learning classrooms for 4-year-old children throughout the state. ADECE has implemented evidence-based strategies and methods grounded in research literature to ensure that all Alabama 4-year-olds have access to excellent early learning classrooms in their communities. Classrooms are funded through a grant process in which sites must meet specific quality assurances and abide by rigorous operating guidelines.
Eligibility and Registration:
To be eligible for First Class Pre-K, a child must be an Alabama resident and 4 years old on September 1 of the school year for which they are being registered. For example, children born between September 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021, were eligible for First Class Pre-K for the 2025-2026 school year. Children born between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, are eligible for the 2026-27 school year. Children who are eligible for kindergarten are not eligible for pre-k. Classrooms are available in every county across the state. Registration can be completed online through the ADECE website. Each program maintains a randomized waitlist to fill openings.
Addressing Challenges and Embracing Innovation:
ADECE proactively addresses challenges to enhance the effectiveness of the First Class Pre-K program. Katrina Bowling, Ed.D., the Educations Systems Administrator at ADECE, noted difficulties in integrating data across different state agencies that administer the program. Discrepancies in how schools were identified in various databases created obstacles in understanding the supply and demand for classrooms in each region. The previous registration process, which relied on lengthy paper applications, was also cumbersome for parents and made it difficult for administrators and teachers to access information.
To overcome these challenges, Alabama selected BridgeCare in 2021 to create a unified system of record for First Class Pre-K. Since implementing BridgeCare, the program has experienced significant improvements in administration and has enhanced the experiences for families and teachers. The new white-labeled First Class Pre-K portal allows Alabama parents to easily view classrooms in their community, filter by location and program type, and even factor in travel time. The digital-first registration process provides the First Class Pre-K team with a real-time view of supply and demand, enabling them to strategically allocate resources such as funding and teachers to meet community needs.
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The dedication and flexibility of the team at BridgeCare has been one of the key benefits of their relationship.
Quality and Accountability:
The Alabama First Class Pre-K program emphasizes quality, accountability, and positive child outcomes that extend beyond kindergarten entry. Quality of learning being a key requirement for the classrooms qualifying for First Class Pre-K program funding, ADECE requires teachers and assistant teachers to participate in professional development on a regular basis.
Preschool Development Grant Birth through 5 (PDG B-5): Strengthening the Early Childhood System
ADECE's commitment to early childhood education is further supported by federal funding. The ADECE has been awarded a $3.8 million grant to continue strengthening Alabama's early childhood education system. This grant comes through the federal program Preschool Development Grant Birth through 5 (PDG B-5) by the Administration for Children and Families.
The PDG B-5 is a competitive federal grant program that aims to help states build and improve their early childhood systems by expanding learning opportunities and quality early care for children up to age five.
This funding allows Alabama to continue building a strong, coordinated early childhood system that puts families first. The initiative is designed to benefit children birth through age five, their families and the early childhood workforce across all settings, which includes First Class Pre-K (FCPK), licensed childcare, First Teacher Home Visiting, Part C Early Intervention, Head Start and Early Head Start and community-based programs, with intentional emphasis on rural regions and historically underserved communities.
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Recent rounds of PDG B-5 grants have placed emphasis on parental choice, system efficiency, and quality improvement across early childhood programs. ADECE plans to use the funding to expand family engagement, strengthen consistency across different delivery programs, and develop analytics.
Preparing the Early Childhood Workforce: The ECE Major
Recognizing the importance of a skilled and knowledgeable workforce, ADECE supports programs that prepare individuals to work in early childhood settings. The early childhood education (ECE) major prepares graduates to work with a diverse population of young children and families using research-based, developmentally appropriate educational practices.
The ECE major is a teacher preparation program accredited by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), with curricular emphasis on the years spanning birth to age five. Experiential learning activities, assessments, and classroom practicum experiences with children in birth to pre-K settings are provided for all students. The knowledge and skills that ECE students learn help prepare them to teach in a variety of early learning programs, such as programs that use emergent curriculum, Pre-K programs housed in public schools, private childcare programs, faith-based programs, community-based programs, and others.
A Coordinated and Efficient System: Supporting Families and Children
ADECE is committed to building a coordinated and efficient early childhood education system that supports families, strengthens the workforce, and ensures children across the state have the opportunity to succeed from the very beginning.
ADECE Secretary Ami Brooks stated, “This funding allows Alabama to continue building a strong, coordinated early childhood system that puts families first,”.
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Governor Kay Ivey has also emphasized the importance of investing in early childhood education, stating, “Investing in our youngest Alabamians is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our state’s future,”. Ivey mentioned the progress Alabama has made in its childhood education systems in her State of the State address.
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