How to start a daycare in Alabama.
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) licenses child care centers in Alabama. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in Alabama, step by step
Contact licensing intake
Call or email Child Care Licensing Intake. They point you to the online system.
Source: Child Care Services Division Licensing ProcessApply online
Send your application in the online system. DHR assigns you a consultant.
Source: Child Care Services Division Licensing ProcessFill out form DHR-DFC-1946
Find the application form on the ARISE provider portal. Upload it with its attachments.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day Care Center Is LicensedPass a fire inspection
Get a written fire inspection report with no violations cited.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day Care Center Is LicensedGet a health department report
Get a written inspection report from your county health department.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day Care Center Is LicensedShow you meet zoning rules
Send a written statement that your center meets local zoning rules.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day Care Center Is LicensedComplete background checks
Each applicant, owner, director and board member needs a criminal history check.
Source: Information to Be Submitted to the Department of Human Resources Before a Day Care Center Is LicensedHave your pre-licensing visit
Once your consultant has every required item, they set up a visit to your site.
Source: Child Care Services Division Licensing Process
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division. Licenses child care centers and renews each license every two years.Source: Licensing Overview
- Day care center
- More than 12 children for daytime careSource: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers
- Before you open
- No care or ads until you hold a license or six-month permitSource: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers
- Six-month permit
- DHR may give one to allow time to meet every standardSource: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers
- License length
- Two yearsSource: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers
- Renewal
- Apply at least 30 days before your license endsSource: Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers
Good to know
- Staff need a background check before they are hired. They need a new one at least every 5 years.Source: Instructions for Child Care Licensing Comprehensive Background Checks
- A preschool that is part of a local church ministry is not required to have a DHR license.Source: License Exempt Day Care Facilities
- A license application cannot move to another person or another location.Source: Licensing Process
Run a program in Alabama? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Alabama
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Alabama licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Alabama
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Alabama
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Alabama?
The first step: Contact licensing intake. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Alabama?
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division. Licenses child care centers and renews each license every two years.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Alabama?
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