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
Opinion: Child Care in America Costs More Than College. Here’s What I’m Doing About It.
U.S. News & World Report | August 29, 2025
Modernizing our child care system isn’t just smart policy – it’s a promise to parents that we’re listening, and a down payment on America’s future.
$30 million Head Start program serves hundreds of kids in north Alabama
AL.com | July 18, 2025
Each year, the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama spends about $30 million on Head Start programs.
Britt’s child care tax credit win draws bipartisan, nationwide praise while helping families
Yellowhammer | aUGUST 27, 2025
U.S. Senator Katie Britt is receiving broad praise for leading a historic overhaul of federal child care tax credits, reforms that she championed in President Trump’s Working Family Tax Cuts legislation.
Alabama Resources & News
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