Alabama childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Human Resources (DHR). All child care facilities serving children from more than one family must obtain a DHR license. Alabama also allows certain faith-based programs to operate as license-exempt if they file an annual letter of exemption and meet basic health, safety, and fire code requirements.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–18 months) | 1:5 | — |
| Toddlers (18 months–2.5 years) | 1:7 | — |
| Preschool (2.5–4 years) | 1:11 | — |
| 4 years–school age | 1:18 | — |
| School age (8+ years) | 1:22 | — |
DHR-CDC-1949 Medication/Medical Procedures AuthorizationConditional
State form required for any medication or medical procedure to be administered at the facility.
Blue Immunization Card (Form IMM 50)
Alabama Department of Public Health immunization documentation required before admission.
Medical Exam Report
Physician-signed health exam required within 3 months of admission and updated annually.
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Signed Operating Policies Acknowledgment
Parent signature confirming receipt and review of facility policies.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions (physician-signed) and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Health for the current exemption process.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff prior to working with children.
Lead Teacher Education
No specific degree required. Must complete required child development training hours.
Assistant Education
No specific education requirement. Must work under supervision of qualified lead teacher.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Directors: 20 hours of administration-specific training annually. Teachers: 12 hours of child development training annually.
Director Qualifications
Must complete DHR-required director training including 20 hours annual administration training.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. Additional inspections based on complaints or compliance history.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact DHR Child Care Services to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact the DHR regional office for current fee schedule.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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