Alabama
Working families in Alabama need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Alabama. But too many working families in Alabama are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Alabama economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 351K children ages 5 and under in Alabama – 62% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Alabama is around $8,700.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 24% of eligible families in Alabama. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Alabama earn just $21,550 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Alabama’s economy loses $1.3B annually due to child care challenges.
ALABAMA: IN THE HEADLINES
Alabama sees 17% rise in child care slots, but crisis persists
Alabama Reflector | October 25, 2024
The average annual cost of child care in Alabama ranges from $8,186 for home-based care to $8,771 at a center-based facility.
Support for Sen. Britt’s child care affordability proposal surging in Alabama and nationwide
YellowHammer News | August 9, 2024
In a time of rising inflation and lower wages, the state has a unique responsibility to care for the most vulnerable members of our communities; children. This work cannot wait.
Only a quarter of Alabama children eligible to receive federal child care funds receive it
Yellowhammer News | June 6, 2024
FFYF’s data sheet for Alabama reveals that only 24% of eligible children in the state receive federal child care funds.
Alabama Resources & News
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The First Five Things To Know About: A New Poll Showing Alabama Voter Support For Child Care Funding
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High-quality early childhood education is proven to dramatically improve a child’s opportunities for a better future—particularly children from low-income families—while offering parents improved job stability and overall economic security. To …
Governors Across the Country Celebrate Federal Preschool Development Grant B-5 Funding
The Preschool Development Grant Birth through 5 (PDG B-5) is a $275 million competitive federal grant program designed to improve states’ early childhood systems by building upon existing federal, state, …
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Updated Fact Sheets Show Opportunities for States
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