Alabama Community Colleges
Early Childhood Education Programs
Early childhood education programs at community colleges in this state. Coursework for child-care, preschool, and elementary-track teachers.
17 colleges · 152 sections · 21 unique courses · Fall 2026
Alabama community colleges train the people who staff licensed daycare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and pre-K classrooms across the state. The 152 sections at 17 ACCS institutions this term cover child development, early-literacy methods, classroom management for ages 0–5, family engagement, and the supervised practicum hours required for the state's child-care or T-K teaching credentials.
Most Alabama ECE associate programs are designed for working students — evening and weekend sections are standard — because the typical student is already employed at a child-care center and using the degree to move into a lead-teacher or assistant-director role. Pay is modest but the work is stable and the credentialing pathway is clearer than almost any other field.
Colleges offering Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education Availability Snapshot
How early childhood education sections are being offered across 17 colleges in Alabama this term (152 sections total).
Delivery format
- online74 (49%)
- in person44 (29%)
- hybrid34 (22%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)40
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)17
- Evening (5 PM and after)23
- Asynchronous / TBA72
Start dates
Sections begin on 7 distinct dates. 4 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 45 distinct instructors across 17 colleges.
Common Early Childhood Education courses
- CHD 100INTRODUCTION OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN(33 sections)
- CHD 201CHILD GROWTH & DEV(13 sections)
- CHD 202CHILDREN'S CREATIVE EXPERIENCES(13 sections)
- CHD 204METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN(13 sections)
- CHD 215SUPERVISED PRACTICAL EXPER(12 sections)
- CHD 206CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND SAFETY(11 sections)
- CHD 203CHILDREN'S LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT(10 sections)
- CHD 209INFANT/TODDLER EDUCATION PROG(8 sections)
- CHD 208Admin of Child Developmnt Prog(5 sections)
- CHD 210EDUCATING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN(5 sections)
- CHD 214FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS(5 sections)
- CHD 217Math & Science for Young Child(5 sections)
Career outlook for Early Childhood Education graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Alabama’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Alabama's typical pay is about 23% below the typical state — common for lower cost-of-living states, but worth weighing against tuition savings.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a degree to work at a daycare in Alabama?
- Requirements vary by role and facility type. Assistant teacher roles at licensed centers typically need a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential — a one-year certificate. Lead teacher in a public pre-K classroom usually requires an associate or bachelor's. Family child-care homes have lower minimums but the higher-paying jobs all require the AAS in early childhood.
- Can I transfer this credit to a teaching bachelor's?
- Usually yes for the general-education portion (English, math, US history) and the foundational child-development courses. Methods-and-practicum credits often need to be re-taken at the four-year level because state teacher-certification programs require specific supervised hours at their own partner schools. Compare colleges' transfer agreements below.
- What's the typical salary for an early-childhood teacher in Alabama?
- Preschool teachers in Alabama earn roughly the state's living wage — lower than public-school K–12 teachers but higher than minimum-wage daycare assistant roles. Head Start lead teachers earn more than private-center teachers thanks to federal funding. Many graduates stack on the CDA, AAS, and eventually a B.A. to keep climbing the pay scale.
- How long does the ECE associate take?
- Two years full-time, including the supervised practicum semester. Many programs are offered fully part-time and online (except for the practicum hours), letting working assistants complete it in 3–4 years while continuing to work.
Compare Early Childhood Education programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Alabama’s early childhood education programs stack up.
Other programs in Alabama
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.