Scott Burbank

This strategic plan outlines a two-phased approach to expand access to Alabama's First Class Pre-K program, aiming to address significant demand and uneven enrollment across counties. Phase 1 focuses on achieving 50% statewide access by adding approximately 250 classrooms in high-priority counties and increasing grant amounts. Phase 2 aims to expand beyond 50% access through significant investments in facilities, competitive teacher salaries, expanded support services like transportation and after-school care, and strengthening the early childhood workforce. The plan seeks to ensure high-quality learning opportunities for all Alabama children, improve academic and social-emotional outcomes, and build a stronger future for the state.

This brief analyzes county-level enrollment and waiting list data, along with insights from Pre-K directors and parents, to provide recommendations for the strategic expansion of Alabama's First Class Pre-K program. Key strategic pillars include geographically targeting expansion to 20 high-priority counties, increasing capacity to accommodate at least 50% of waitlisted children, and addressing systemic barriers such as funding, classroom space, after-school care, and transportation. The plan aims to incrementally increase statewide Pre-K access, with specific actions outlined to reach 50%, 60%, and 70% access targets, ultimately moving towards universal access for four-year-olds while maintaining high levels of quality.

The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) presents a plan to implement a unified Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) system. This plan aims to maximize existing resources (federal, state, local, and non-governmental) by increasing efficiencies and reducing costs and duplication. Key areas of focus include updating the statewide needs assessment, developing a strategic plan to address identified needs, maximizing parent and family engagement, supporting the ECCE workforce, and improving program quality. The plan emphasizes an integrated Birth-to-5 system, equitable access for underserved children, and improved school readiness, particularly for children from vulnerable populations. Specific initiatives include expanding access to high-quality ECCE programs, increasing parental engagement in decision-making, increasing the number of qualified ECCE professionals, and enhancing school readiness. The long-term goals are to ensure all children are healthy and emotionally ready for school, provide family support, ensure successful school transitions, and develop a stable, highly qualified ECE workforce and fully engaged families.

The strategic plan focuses on developing and implementing a unified system for early childhood care and education in Alabama. Key areas of focus include improving collaboration and coordination among existing programs, enhancing program quality, expanding parental choice and knowledge, and improving school readiness, particularly for low-income and disadvantaged children. The plan aims to create a more efficient and effective mixed delivery system by leveraging existing federal, state, and local resources and strengthening partnerships among various stakeholders.

Alabama's Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) initiatives focus on enhancing early childhood development and family support systems. Key areas include expanding access to developmental screenings, raising the quality of infant/toddler care, and broadening parenting courses across the state. The plan also emphasizes providing free books to children through partnerships with healthcare providers, strengthening support for families of children with autism or hearing impairments, and enhancing the early childhood education workforce through training, scholarships, and apprenticeships. Additionally, Alabama aims to improve the systemic collection and analysis of early childhood data to better evaluate program progress and impact.