Alabama ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Alabama DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers regulations. Bloomily helps Alabama childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Alabama licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 12-18 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
toddler Toddlers 18-24 months | 1:8 | 16 children |
twos Two year olds | 1:10 | 20 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Three year olds | 1:14 | 28 children |
prek Four and five year olds | 1:18 | 36 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 1:20 | 40 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Alabama childcare staff
Annual Training - Directors (15 hours)
Alabama required 15 hours annual professional development for directors
Annual Training - Staff (12 hours)
Alabama required 12 hours annual professional development for staff
Background Check (Alabama)
Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and FBI fingerprint background check per DHR standards
Child Abuse Recognition (Alabama)
Child abuse and neglect recognition and reporting training
Child Abuse Registry Check (Alabama)
Alabama Central Registry check for child abuse and neglect
Director Qualifications (Alabama)
Director qualifications per DHR standards including education and experience
First Aid (Alabama)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Lead Teacher Qualifications (Alabama)
Lead teacher qualifications per DHR standards
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Pediatric CPR (Alabama)
Infant and child CPR certification required per DHR Minimum Standards
Safe Sleep Training (Alabama)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per DHR standards
Staff Health Assessment (Alabama)
Initial health assessment and TB screening required
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Alabama childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and evacuation time
Ref: DHR Minimum Standards 8.3
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: DHR Minimum Standards 8.3
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location twice per year
Ref: DHR Minimum Standards 8.3
Severe Weather
Monthly tornado drills during tornado season (March-May)
Ref: DHR Minimum Standards 8.3
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Alabama DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers requirements
License posted in visible location
Ref: DHR Standards 2.1
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: DHR Standards 2.1
Operational policies current and available
Ref: DHR Standards 2.3
Parent handbook distributed to all families
Ref: DHR Standards 2.3
DHR inspection reports available to parents
Ref: DHR Standards 2.1
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: DHR Standards 3.1
Outdoor play area meets minimum (50 sq ft per child)
Ref: DHR Standards 3.2
Temperature maintained 68-78°F
Ref: DHR Standards 3.3
Adequate lighting and ventilation
Ref: DHR Standards 3.3
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: DHR Standards 3.4
Handwashing sinks accessible to children
Ref: DHR Standards 3.4
Drinking water readily available
Ref: DHR Standards 3.4
Napping equipment clean and appropriate
Ref: DHR Standards 6.7
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: DHR Standards 8.1
Medications stored in locked cabinet
Ref: DHR Standards 7.4
Emergency medications readily accessible
Ref: DHR Standards 7.4
Cleaning supplies stored out of reach
Ref: DHR Standards 3.5
Hazardous materials secured from children
Ref: DHR Standards 3.5
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: DHR Standards 8.3
Fire drill log current (monthly drills)
Ref: DHR Standards 8.3
Tornado drill log current (monthly during season)
Ref: DHR Standards 8.3
Lockdown drill log current (semi-annual)
Ref: DHR Standards 8.3
Fire extinguishers charged and accessible
Ref: DHR Standards 8.2
Outdoor equipment safe and age-appropriate
Ref: DHR Standards 3.2
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: DHR Standards 6.7
ABI/FBI background check current for all staff
Ref: DHR Standards 4.2
Central Registry check completed
Ref: DHR Standards 4.2
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: DHR Standards 5.1
Lead teachers meet qualifications
Ref: DHR Standards 5.2
All staff have current CPR certification
Ref: DHR Standards 5.3
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: DHR Standards 5.3
Staff annual training (12 hours) documented
Ref: DHR Standards 5.4
Director annual training (15 hours) documented
Ref: DHR Standards 5.4
Child abuse recognition training completed
Ref: DHR Standards 5.4
Safe sleep training (infant caregivers)
Ref: DHR Standards 6.7
Staff health assessments on file
Ref: DHR Standards 5.5
Infant ratio maintained (1:5, max group 10)
Ref: DHR Standards 6.5
Young toddler ratio maintained (1:6, max group 12)
Ref: DHR Standards 6.5
Toddler ratio maintained (1:8, max group 16)
Ref: DHR Standards 6.5
Preschool ratio maintained (1:14, max group 28)
Ref: DHR Standards 6.5
School-age ratio maintained (1:20, max group 40)
Ref: DHR Standards 6.5
Emergency contact forms complete for all children
Ref: DHR Standards 7.1
Immunization records current (ImmPRINT or provider)
Ref: DHR Standards 7.2
Medical exam within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: DHR Standards 7.2
Allergy information documented and accessible
Ref: DHR Standards 7.3
Medication authorization forms on file
Ref: DHR Standards 7.4
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: DHR Standards 7.1
Daily attendance records maintained
Ref: DHR Standards 7.5
Children supervised at all times
Ref: DHR Standards 6.1
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: DHR Standards 7.5
Track your Alabama compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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