Improving both the quality and capacity of childcare centers in our area by working directly with business owners and professionals in early education is one of United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) highest priorities.
On September 9th, community partners in early childhood education convened for the Alabama Quality Stars Celebration to spotlight the importance of access to high-quality early learning. The United Way Bold Goals Coalition’s Early Learning Action Network (ELAN) gathered with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and Childcare Resources at Foundations Early Learning Center to recognize providers who exemplify quality that leads to better outcomes for children.
A Commitment to Exceptional Early Education
Local childcare providers were assessed according to the Alabama Quality STARS “Quality Rating and Improvement System” (QRIS). The system reflects a partnership between the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education that awards STAR levels to childcare programs that have committed to continuous improvement through a detailed set of standards. Providers were announced by star rating and invited to receive certificates, with more than 80 providers earning two stars or higher.
“We at DHR can develop policies, procedures and guidelines, but it takes all of you along with our community partners to make it happen,” said Faye Nelson, Deputy Commissioner of Family Resources at the Department of Human Resources. “What you do is not babysit; you are running a business that provides quality learning, education, care and safety for children because you are meeting certain standards that have been established for you to make a difference. You are not only impacting each child who comes into your center, but you are also impacting each family.”
What is Quality Childcare?
The celebration also marked the launch of the What is Quality Childcare? campaign, the first in a series of events hosted by the UWCA Bold Goals Coalition’s Early Learning Action Network. Through this campaign, DHR will help define quality childcare and spotlight the providers who are leading the way.
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Ami Brooks addressed the providers in attendance. “You’re in the business of brain building,” Brooks said. “Ninety percent of a child’s brain is developed by age five, and that is your work — day in and day out. You’re setting the foundation for these children to eventually find their career pathways.”
Early Learning Action Network Chair and Executive Director of Childcare Resources Joan Wright highlighted the importance of working together as community partners toward high-quality early learning. “We teach our young children to share, work and problem-solve together, and our community should reflect what we are teaching our children,” she said.
UWCA Senior Vice President of Community Impact Katrina Watson announced that starting September 29th,centers can apply for expansion grants to allow space for more children to receive quality programming. Applications will be posted here, and funding decisions will be finalized in early 2026. UWCA has already worked with more than 35 partners to expand their classroom capacity, said UWCA President and CEO Drew Langloh, and is on track to increase our community’s capacity to serve an additional 1,500 children in high-quality early learning centers.
For more on United Way’s work in Early Childhood Development and Education, click here.