Montgomery, AL — Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday that Alabama will add 58 new First Class Pre-K classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year, continuing the expansion of the state’s nationally recognized early childhood education program. The new classrooms will increase the total number to 1,528 across the state.
The expansion is part of a long-standing partnership with the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE), aimed at improving access to high-quality prekindergarten for children in every corner of the state.
Over the past two years, ADECE has focused on both increasing access and enhancing the quality of Pre-K programs. The percentage of teachers working under waivers—those who have not yet met full credentialing—has dropped from 14% in the 2022-2023 school year to under 7% for 2024-2025. The department has also raised individual grant amounts by 30% since the 2022-2023 school year, allowing programs to offer more competitive teacher pay, improve classroom resources, and better serve high-need areas.
“Our commitment to quality is unwavering,” said ADECE Secretary Ami Brooks. “Access alone is not enough. We are ensuring every child, regardless of zip code, has a high-quality pre-k experience that truly prepares them for success.”
The announcement underscores Alabama’s continued investment in early childhood development as a key component of the state’s long-term education strategy.
