UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Alabama - post

Alabama Child Care Training You Can Trust

If you work in child care in Alabama, staying current on training is essential for licensing, employment, and quality improvement. Alabama does not approve trainers through a single statewide “training approval” system; instead, training acceptance is tied to licensing rules and documentation practices set by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Office of Child Care Licensing.

ChildCareEd supports Alabama providers with online self-paced and Virtual Instructor-Led courses that may be used for professional development and training documentation. We are also an IACET Accredited Provider, which means eligible courses award CEUs that meet nationally recognized continuing education standards.

What Alabama Approved Training Does ChildCareEd Provide?

ChildCareEd offers training that aligns with the types of topics Alabama licensing rules require programs to document—especially the health and safety areas that must be covered through outside training sources for center staff.

ChildCareEd courses are commonly used by Alabama professionals working in:

• Child care/day care centers
• Family day care homes
• Group day care homes
• Family child care and group care settings

Pre-Service and Health & Safety Topics

Alabama center staff must complete pre-service training that includes at least one hour from an outside source in required topic areas such as:

• Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 
• Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Use of Safe Sleep Practices
• Administration of Medicine 
• Prevention of and response to allergic reactions 
• Building and Physical Premises Safety 
• Shaken Baby Syndrome 
• Responding to Emergencies 
• Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials
• Appropriate Precautions in Transportation of Children
• Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Reporting

Annual In-Service Training (Centers)

Alabama center regulations require annual training hours by role, including:

• Directors: at least 24 clock hours each year
• Teachers/child care workers: at least 12 clock hours each year
• Service staff: at least 4 clock hours each year

ChildCareEd makes it easy to complete required hours online with a broad catalog that includes health & safety, child development, guidance, curriculum, professionalism, and administration.

CDA Credential Training

In Alabama, the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential may be used as one option to help meet qualification requirements, particularly for child care center directors and certain teaching roles, when combined with additional education and experience as outlined by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Office of Child Care Licensing. The CDA can also support professional development and career advancement for child care staff. Because qualification pathways vary by role and facility type, providers should always confirm current requirements with their local child care licensing specialist.

ChildCareEd offers CDA training and renewals, including:

• Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review
• CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review
• CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review
• CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review
• CDA Home Visitor Credential Birth to 5
• CDA Infant/Toddler Renewal
• CDA Preschool Renewal
• CDA Family Child Care Renewal

Licensing Contact Information

Please confirm current requirements with your local licensing office, as standards are subject to change:

Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)
Office of Child Care Licensing
Phone: (334) 242-1425 or (866) 528-1694
Email: childcarelicensingintake@dhr.alabama.gov
Mailing Address: 50 N. Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36160