Alabama Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Alabama (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Alabama means applying to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing), clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Alabama's licensing statutes.

Alabama Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Alabama launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
Alabama's Child Care Act and the DHR Minimum Standards impose no application or registration fee; Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-4 requires only submission of the application form and a Department inspection/investigation, with no fee provision (no fee language appears in Title 38 Chapter 7 or in the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers or for Family Day Care Homes, both effective Sept. 30, 2019).
Annual renewal fee
No renewal fee is established by Alabama law; licenses are valid for two years from the date issued and are renewed by reapplication and Department reexamination, with no fee specified (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-5(a) [two-year validity] and sec. 38-7-6 [renewal/reexamination]).
Pre-service training
Family day care home: prior to initial licensing the applicant/licensee must complete at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of child care and development training, including at least 4 hours in each of six topic areas, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27); a group day care home assistant caregiver must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours within the first 30 days of employment. Day care center: child care workers/teachers must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of training within 30 days after employment (at least 1 hour in each of six areas), and the center director must have at least 20 clock hours in administration/management plus 4 clock hours in quality child care, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26). Child Care Subsidy participants must also complete at least 1 hour of preservice training in each of 11 required health-and-safety topic areas before receiving subsidy funds.
Annual training
Family day care home: the licensee must obtain at least twenty (20) clock hours of child-care-related training each year, and a group day care home assistant caregiver at least twelve (12) clock hours each year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27). Day care center: directors must obtain at least twenty-four (24) clock hours per year, child care workers/teachers at least twelve (12) clock hours per year, and service staff (cooks, bus drivers, janitors) at least four (4) clock hours per year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26); CPR and First Aid training does not count toward required hours.
License-exempt threshold
A license is required as soon as a facility "receives or arranges for care or placement of one or more children, unrelated to the operator," so Alabama has no count-based "babysitting" cushion; a day care home license covers not more than six (6) children for daytime care, and a group day care home license is needed for at least seven but no more than twelve children (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(5),(7),(9); sec. 38-7-3). Statutorily exempt are care of children related to the operator (RELATED defined at sec. 38-7-2(13)) and preschool programs that are an integral part of a local church ministry or religious nonprofit elementary school that file a notice of intent (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-3), plus daytime programs for children younger than lawful school age operating four hours a day or less (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(4)b.,c.).
Family child care capacity
A day care home may receive not more than six (6) children for daytime care (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(5)); a group day care home receives at least seven but no more than twelve (12) children and requires at least two adult caregivers (the licensee plus an assistant caregiver) present whenever seven or more children are present (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(9); DHR Minimum Standards for Family/Group Day Care Homes, Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27). No group day care home may be licensed for more than six (6) children younger than twelve (12) months, and there must be at least one caregiver supervising each three (3) children younger than twelve (12) months; a basic family day care home may not be licensed for more than three (3) children younger than 12 months (ch. 660-5-27).
Indoor square footage
Day care centers and family/group day care homes must provide at least thirty-two (32) square feet of usable indoor activity space per child, excluding bathrooms, kitchens, isolation room, office, halls used as passageways, and storage, per the DHR Minimum Standards (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26 for centers; ch. 660-5-27 for homes). Outdoor: centers licensed, permitted, or approved after Jan. 22, 2001 must provide at least sixty (60) square feet of outdoor play area per child (for at least one-half of capacity if licensed for 60 or more children); a family day care home must provide at least one outdoor play area of at least 300 square feet, and a group day care home at least 600 square feet, enclosed by a fence or wall at least four (4) feet high.
Inspection schedule
Licenses are valid for two (2) years (Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.02(8)(a)); renewal must be applied for at least 30 days before expiration (660-5-26-.02(6)). Annual compliance visits, and visits to investigate complaints, are made without prior notice (unannounced); pre-licensing visits may be made by appointment (660-5-26-.02(7)). Fire department inspections must be submitted prior to initial licensing and, per the current codified rule, updated at a minimum of every five (5) years (660-5-26-.03(1)); a health department inspection report is required prior to initial licensing, with subsequent inspections as requested (660-5-26-.03(2)).

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Alabama

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Alabama's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Alabama. A license is required as soon as a facility "receives or arranges for care or placement of one or more children, unrelated to the operator," so Alabama has no count-based "babysitting" cushion; a day care home license covers not more than six (6) children for daytime care, and a group day care home license is needed for at least seven but no more than twelve children (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(5),(7),(9); sec. 38-7-3). Statutorily exempt are care of children related to the operator (RELATED defined at sec. 38-7-2(13)) and preschool programs that are an integral part of a local church ministry or religious nonprofit elementary school that file a notice of intent (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-3), plus daytime programs for children younger than lawful school age operating four hours a day or less (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(4)b.,c.).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Family day care home: prior to initial licensing the applicant/licensee must complete at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of child care and development training, including at least 4 hours in each of six topic areas, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27); a group day care home assistant caregiver must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours within the first 30 days of employment. Day care center: child care workers/teachers must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of training within 30 days after employment (at least 1 hour in each of six areas), and the center director must have at least 20 clock hours in administration/management plus 4 clock hours in quality child care, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26). Child Care Subsidy participants must also complete at least 1 hour of preservice training in each of 11 required health-and-safety topic areas before receiving subsidy funds.

    Plan for ongoing training too: Family day care home: the licensee must obtain at least twenty (20) clock hours of child-care-related training each year, and a group day care home assistant caregiver at least twelve (12) clock hours each year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27). Day care center: directors must obtain at least twenty-four (24) clock hours per year, child care workers/teachers at least twelve (12) clock hours per year, and service staff (cooks, bus drivers, janitors) at least four (4) clock hours per year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26); CPR and First Aid training does not count toward required hours.

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Alabama's facility standards. Day care centers and family/group day care homes must provide at least thirty-two (32) square feet of usable indoor activity space per child, excluding bathrooms, kitchens, isolation room, office, halls used as passageways, and storage, per the DHR Minimum Standards (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26 for centers; ch. 660-5-27 for homes). Outdoor: centers licensed, permitted, or approved after Jan. 22, 2001 must provide at least sixty (60) square feet of outdoor play area per child (for at least one-half of capacity if licensed for 60 or more children); a family day care home must provide at least one outdoor play area of at least 300 square feet, and a group day care home at least 600 square feet, enclosed by a fence or wall at least four (4) feet high.

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A day care home may receive not more than six (6) children for daytime care (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(5)); a group day care home receives at least seven but no more than twelve (12) children and requires at least two adult caregivers (the licensee plus an assistant caregiver) present whenever seven or more children are present (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(9); DHR Minimum Standards for Family/Group Day Care Homes, Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27). No group day care home may be licensed for more than six (6) children younger than twelve (12) months, and there must be at least one caregiver supervising each three (3) children younger than twelve (12) months; a basic family day care home may not be licensed for more than three (3) children younger than 12 months (ch. 660-5-27).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) and pay the licensing fee. Alabama's Child Care Act and the DHR Minimum Standards impose no application or registration fee; Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-4 requires only submission of the application form and a Department inspection/investigation, with no fee provision (no fee language appears in Title 38 Chapter 7 or in the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers or for Family Day Care Homes, both effective Sept. 30, 2019).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Licenses are valid for two (2) years (Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.02(8)(a)); renewal must be applied for at least 30 days before expiration (660-5-26-.02(6)). Annual compliance visits, and visits to investigate complaints, are made without prior notice (unannounced); pre-licensing visits may be made by appointment (660-5-26-.02(7)). Fire department inspections must be submitted prior to initial licensing and, per the current codified rule, updated at a minimum of every five (5) years (660-5-26-.03(1)); a health department inspection report is required prior to initial licensing, with subsequent inspections as requested (660-5-26-.03(2)).

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Alabama rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: 0 up to 18 months 1:5, 18 months up to 2.5 years 1:7, 24 months up to 36 months 1:8, 2.5 years up to 4 years 1:11, 4 years up to school age 1:18, School age up to 8 years 1:21, 8 years and older 1:22

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Alabama-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Alabama

Alabama licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • Application for a License to operate a day care center / nighttime center (DHR application form, Appendix A, per 660-5-26-.02(1))
  • Licensing Application Attachment (Appendix B)
  • Alabama Department of Human Resources Request for Clearance of State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect - DHR-DFC Form 1598 (per 660-5-26-.07(2)(b))
  • Initial medical examination report form for staff (DHR-CDC-737, 'Medical Report for Persons Giving Care to Children'), signed by a licensed MD, physician's assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, documenting a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray (per 660-5-26-.06(2) and 660-5-26-.06(3))
  • State of Alabama Certificate of Immunization for each enrolled child (per 660-5-26-.08(4)(b)3); or State of Alabama Certificate of Medical Exemption; or Alabama Certificate of Religious Exemption (rule text does not name a specific form number such as IMM 50)
  • Child's Pre-Admission Record (required form, Appendix G, per 660-5-26-.08(4)(b)1)
  • Authorization for administering medication or medical procedures form (required, non-blanket, valid max 7 days without a physician's statement; Appendix H, per 660-5-26-.04(6)(a)6)
  • Transportation checklist (required form for loading/unloading each child at each location; Appendix N, per 660-5-26-.05(1)(c))
  • Vehicle safety check form (annual, signed by a certified mechanic; Appendix O, per 660-5-26-.05(1)(g))
  • Reference form - written reference statements per applicant/director/staff (Appendix E, per 660-5-26-.07(2)(a))

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Alabama requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing): 0 up to 18 months 1:5, 18 months up to 2.5 years 1:7, 24 months up to 36 months 1:8, 2.5 years up to 4 years 1:11, 4 years up to school age 1:18, School age up to 8 years 1:21, 8 years and older 1:22.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

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The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Alabama-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

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Starting a Daycare in Alabama: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Alabama?
A license is required as soon as a facility "receives or arranges for care or placement of one or more children, unrelated to the operator," so Alabama has no count-based "babysitting" cushion; a day care home license covers not more than six (6) children for daytime care, and a group day care home license is needed for at least seven but no more than twelve children (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(5),(7),(9); sec. 38-7-3). Statutorily exempt are care of children related to the operator (RELATED defined at sec. 38-7-2(13)) and preschool programs that are an integral part of a local church ministry or religious nonprofit elementary school that file a notice of intent (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-3), plus daytime programs for children younger than lawful school age operating four hours a day or less (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-2(4)b.,c.).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Alabama?
Alabama's Child Care Act and the DHR Minimum Standards impose no application or registration fee; Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-4 requires only submission of the application form and a Department inspection/investigation, with no fee provision (no fee language appears in Title 38 Chapter 7 or in the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers or for Family Day Care Homes, both effective Sept. 30, 2019). Renewal: No renewal fee is established by Alabama law; licenses are valid for two years from the date issued and are renewed by reapplication and Department reexamination, with no fee specified (Ala. Code 1975 sec. 38-7-5(a) [two-year validity] and sec. 38-7-6 [renewal/reexamination]).
Who issues daycare licenses in Alabama?
Childcare licensing in Alabama is handled by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing). You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Alabama?
Family day care home: prior to initial licensing the applicant/licensee must complete at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of child care and development training, including at least 4 hours in each of six topic areas, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27); a group day care home assistant caregiver must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours within the first 30 days of employment. Day care center: child care workers/teachers must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of training within 30 days after employment (at least 1 hour in each of six areas), and the center director must have at least 20 clock hours in administration/management plus 4 clock hours in quality child care, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26). Child Care Subsidy participants must also complete at least 1 hour of preservice training in each of 11 required health-and-safety topic areas before receiving subsidy funds.

Keep researching Alabama

Alabama Licensing Requirements

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License-Exemption Thresholds by State

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Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Alabama statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.