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5 Key Ways The Alabama Department Of Early Childhood Education Is Expanding For 2025-2026

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The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) is currently undergoing one of its most significant growth phases, with major announcements directly impacting the 2025-2026 school year. As of December 2025, the state is doubling down on its commitment to high-quality early learning, solidifying its nationally recognized status through substantial program expansion and strategic new leadership.

This commitment is not just about increasing classroom numbers; it’s a comprehensive strategy focused on maintaining the high quality that has earned Alabama's First Class Pre-K program top marks nationwide. The latest updates reveal a clear path for thousands of additional four-year-olds to gain access to critical school readiness resources across the state.

Secretary Ami Brooks: New Leadership for Alabama's Early Childhood Education

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) is guided by a dedicated leader with deep roots in the state’s educational system. The agency's direction is set by the Secretary, who oversees the mission to provide high-quality early childhood care and education to all children in Alabama.

  • Name: Ami Brooks
  • Current Role: Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE)
  • Appointment Date: June 16, 2025
  • Appointing Authority: Governor Kay Ivey
  • Background: Brooks is a long-time educator and a highly experienced leader in pre-K programs. Her professional history includes several years of experience working directly within the Department of Early Childhood Education, providing her with an intimate understanding of the state’s early learning landscape.
  • Focus: Her appointment signals a continued emphasis on strengthening the First Class Pre-K program and increasing grant opportunities to better support local providers across Alabama.

Brooks's leadership is critical as the ADECE manages the rapid expansion of the First Class Pre-K program while ensuring all new and existing classrooms adhere to the rigorous quality standards that have made the program a national model.

The 2025–2026 First Class Pre-K Expansion: By the Numbers

The cornerstone of Alabama’s early learning success is the Office of School Readiness (OSR) and its flagship initiative, the First Class Pre-K program. This program is consistently recognized for its high-quality benchmarks, which include low teacher-to-child ratios and lead teachers with bachelor’s degrees. The latest expansion, announced by Governor Kay Ivey, highlights the state's ongoing investment in this critical area.

1. 58 New Classrooms Added for the 2025-2026 School Year

In a major announcement for the upcoming academic year, the ADECE confirmed the addition of 58 new First Class Pre-K classrooms. This expansion is a direct result of continued legislative and gubernatorial support aimed at increasing access to early education, especially in underserved communities.

2. Total Program Reach Exceeds 1,500 Classrooms

With the new additions, the total number of First Class Pre-K classrooms operating across Alabama will reach 1,528. This monumental figure demonstrates the state's progress toward offering universal access to pre-kindergarten for all four-year-olds, a long-term goal for the ADECE. The program currently serves more than 24,000 children statewide, a number set to increase significantly with the latest expansion.

3. Focus on Rural and Underserved Areas

The expansion is strategically targeted to ensure equity in access. Announcements, such as the one awarding new classrooms to organizations like AIM Academy, emphasize updates to rural education reform and the goal of bringing high-quality pre-K programs to every community, regardless of geographic location. The ADECE is committed to partnering with various entities—public schools, private child care centers, Head Start, and faith-based providers—to make this vision a reality.

Beyond Pre-K: New Initiatives and Funding Streams

The ADECE's work extends beyond the First Class Pre-K program, encompassing a broader birth-through-five focus supported by federal and state funding. These initiatives are essential for building a complete early learning ecosystem.

4. Leveraging the Preschool Development Grant (PDG B-5)

Alabama continues to utilize the federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) to bolster its early childhood infrastructure. This funding is crucial for ensuring the state can continue to deliver high-quality early childhood care and education while simultaneously expanding access to programs that support younger children and their families. The grant supports systemic improvements, including professional development for the early childhood workforce and better coordination of services.

5. Expanding the Pre-K-3rd Grade Classroom Initiative

In a separate but related effort, Governor Ivey and the ADECE announced the funding of an additional 55 new Pre-K-3rd Grade classrooms. This initiative is designed to create a more seamless and aligned educational experience for children from pre-K through the early elementary grades. By connecting the high-quality standards of the First Class Pre-K program with the primary grades, the state aims to sustain early learning gains and improve long-term student outcomes.

6. New Grant Opportunities and Funding Cycles

For providers looking to join the First Class Pre-K network, the ADECE has announced the availability of new grant opening letters for the 2025-2026 school year. This signals an active funding cycle and a commitment to growing the program by supporting new sites and classrooms that meet the rigorous quality guidelines. Prospective providers are encouraged to follow the official ADECE channels for the latest application deadlines and requirements.

7. Partnership for Literacy Expansion

The ADECE is also focused on promoting literacy from an early age through strategic partnerships. In collaboration with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), the ADECE is working to expand the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to foster children in Alabama. This initiative ensures that vulnerable children have access to age-appropriate books delivered directly to their homes, supporting early literacy development and school readiness.

The Impact of ADECE's Quality Focus

The success of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education is measured not just by the number of classrooms but by the quality of instruction. The Office of School Readiness (OSR) is the administrative body within the ADECE responsible for ensuring the program's high standards are met across all 1,528 classrooms.

The emphasis on professional development, accountability, and maintaining quality benchmarks is why the First Class Pre-K program has been consistently ranked as a national leader by organizations like the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). The 2025-2026 expansion proves that Alabama is committed to increasing access without compromising the quality that defines its early childhood success story.

By focusing on strategic growth, leadership continuity, and comprehensive birth-to-five initiatives, the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education is positioning the state’s youngest learners for long-term academic success.

5 Key Ways the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education is Expanding for 2025-2026
alabama dept of early childhood education
alabama dept of early childhood education

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