The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, or ADECE, is a state agency focused on increasing awareness about the importance of early brain development and quality early care. ADECE works to promote a strong, cohesive system of child care in Alabama, as well as inspire and support parents, caregivers, and professionals. Through programs like Born Ready, the agency aims to empower parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to be their children’s first teachers.

Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Online Courses

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, or ADECE, is a state agency focused on raising awareness of early brain development and delivering high-quality early care and education to children. The agency also seeks to empower parents and caregivers while creating cohesive systems of care. One such initiative is Born Ready. Born Ready provides parents with the resources and knowledge necessary to act as their children’s first teacher and build healthy families.

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) coordinates state services for children and families. The focus is on preparing children for school success and lifelong learning. To this end, the Department offers a number of online professional development courses. To learn more about the courses available to new teachers and directors, visit the On-Boarding tab. You can also participate in the forum, which is a collaboration between the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and the Department of Human Services.

The Department’s online course allows students to gain valuable experience in the early childhood classroom. During the course of study, students learn developmentally appropriate teaching practices and implement these principles in the classroom. Students then complete extensive teaching internships at cooperating schools, which can be local or international. They are mentored by experienced teachers who are familiar with the demands of the field. The degree is an excellent preparation to enter the field of early childhood.

The early childhood education major is a comprehensive teacher preparation program for young children, focusing on children from birth to five. Students learn about teaching strategies, assessment methods, and developmentally appropriate practices while engaging in experiential learning activities with young children. A practicum experience in a pre-K or kindergarten setting is also required. Once graduates, they are ready to work in a variety of early learning programs. The program is a great opportunity to get a job in the early childhood field.

First Class Pre-K program

An additional 2,430 4-year-olds will be able to attend the state’s First Class Pre-K program this fall. Additional pre-kindergarten classrooms are expected to be announced in the coming months. The state’s legislature recently approved an additional $24.4 million in funding for the program. That money will enable the state to offer pre-kindergarten to more than 70 percent of eligible 4-year-olds.

A quality pre-kindergarten program teaches children executive functioning skills and how to be successful learners. This is particularly important in an age when much of education has moved online. In Alabama, the First Class Pre-K program doesn’t require children to sit in Zoom classrooms for hours on end. Rather, it teaches them essential skills and helps them thrive in the classroom. The video highlights the work of educators, state leaders, and stakeholders in the First Class Pre-K program.

Because the program is funded through the federal Preschool Development Birth to 5 Grant, the state’s First Class Foundations program will follow the same model as the state’s First-Class Pre-K program. Teachers will receive job-embedded training and support from First Class coaches. In addition, program directors will receive leadership training and support. The goal is to increase enrollment in the state’s First Class Pre-K program.

The First Class Pre-K program at the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education has consistently been among the highest in the nation. According to the National Institute of Early Education Research, the state’s First Class Pre-K program meets the development benchmarks for the state. The program is open to all eligible children and teachers. The process is simple and fast. Applicants must apply online. During the registration period, parents can view a video about the program and how they can apply.

STAR rated programs

Those who are looking for a quality child care program in Alabama may be interested in learning more about Quality STARS. These ratings are based on information submitted by programs and on onsite assessments of management practices and leadership. They also include an environmental assessment. The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education has established the Quality STARS program as a standard of quality for child care programs. To become a STAR rated program, centers must meet certain minimum standards for quality, and must be licensed by the state.

In addition to promoting quality care and education, the state’s Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the University of Alabama work together to award ratings for programs. The state supports the quality STARS program with funds from the Child Care Development Fund. While there is no single STAR rated program, many centers are ranked as exemplary and are a great choice for parents. The Department of Early Childhood Education has a comprehensive list of STAR rated programs in Alabama.

As part of the State’s STARS program, the Council of Professional Recognition is recruiting early childhood professionals with a CDA credential. Through this initiative, the Council will work with the Alabama Department of Education, the Division of Career and Technical Education and the Alabama Department of Workforce Development to help families and providers get started with high quality, evidence-based early childhood programs. In addition to recruiting and retaining quality early childhood professionals, the CDA credential is a valuable asset to have in your portfolio.

A child care program can achieve the highest STAR rating by meeting the quality standards set by the state. Those in a One-Star program meet the minimum licensing requirements. One-Star Plus programs are above the state’s minimum standards and go above and beyond to improve the quality of their program. Two-Star programs are accredited by the national level, while Three-Star programs are nationally recognized.

Quality rating system

The quality rating system is one of the most important things a child care provider can do. It defines high-quality programs that are accountable to parents, and it informs them of the quality of the program. The standards are organized into five levels, each of which requires the program to improve certain features and meet specific criteria. The quality rating system also outlines the activities required of programs at each level. Each level outlines its criteria and requires a specific strategy or goal to advance to the next level. It was developed with input from child care providers throughout the state.

To determine whether a center is a good candidate for the program, the state worked with the University of Alabama to create the quality rating system called “Quality STARS.” The program consists of five quality indicators that are based on the quality of child care services. These five levels are a result of a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of a child care center. The rating system was developed using information provided by the centers and the results of focus groups. The program also includes tiered reimbursement percentage increases that go beyond the state-mandated reimbursement rate.

The department’s Office of School Readiness administers a comprehensive system of high-quality pre-kindergarten programs. To obtain an Alabama First Class Pre-K program, the classrooms must meet specific standards and follow operating guidelines. To date, the program has been awarded the highest quality rating in the state. It is the only state in the nation to have received this honor 14 times. It is based on more stringent criteria than most states.

Each center must meet all requirements for one STAR level before moving on to the next. The requirements for a level one and two reflect the basic quality of a program, while the standards for a level three or four reflect higher quality. The standards for each level of quality include staff qualifications and management practices. The standards for the program are based on the curriculum and the involvement of families. The Alabama Quality STARS program is designed to ensure that children receive the best care.

Recruiting early childhood educators

In Alabama, the state department of early childhood education recruits and retains qualified educators to work in public preschools and child care centers. The goal of this department is to prepare children for successful school attendance and lifelong learning. To this end, the department’s recruitment efforts focus on candidates with high educational standards. A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is a requirement for employment with the department. A certificate in early childhood education is preferred but not required.

In addition to hiring individuals with relevant credentials, the Alabama department also invests in classroom teachers and supports First Class Pre-K teachers through professional development opportunities. The CDA credential is recognized by the Council for Professional Recognition as part of a person’s educational qualifications for working in the early childhood field. The certification is recognized by more than 80 professional associations across the country. The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education is seeking qualified individuals with CDA credential and experience.

In Alabama, the state department of early childhood education recruits early childhood educators with bachelor’s degrees, a minimum of five years experience in early childhood education, and experience working with young children. It requires a thorough understanding of state and federal regulations, early childhood curricula, computer software, and child development. Candidates should also have strong organizational skills and be capable of managing a demanding workload. These educators will work under the supervision of a director and supervise the work of many people.

A group of advocates for early education has released a list of recommendations for the 2022 legislative session. Their goal is to get 70 percent of Alabama’s 4-year-olds enrolled in early education centers by 2025-26. This plan depends on whether Gov. Kay Ivey’s proposal to increase state investment in First Class Pre-K is approved by lawmakers. If approved, the funding will create 125 new classrooms and increase enrollment from 42 percent to 45%. Furthermore, the money will support recruitment efforts.

Professional development for early childhood educators in Alabama includes online math courses, group training, and one-on-one coaching. CD training includes add-on curricula for children and parent education curriculum. These materials have been used in licensed child care facilities across the state. The state also promotes Conscious Discipline to increase access to early childhood services. Some licensed child care programs in Alabama use Baby Doll Circle Time and Feeling Buddies curricular materials.