Last verified: October 2026
Is pre-K free in Birmingham?
Yes, a First Class Pre-K seat is free and no family can be turned away because of income. The catch is supply: each site fills its seats by random drawing, so a Birmingham family should register for more than one site and expect waitlists.
The program is run by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE), and NIEER has rated it the nation's highest-quality state pre-K for 20 years running.
When and how do families register?
Families register online through ADECE's pre-K portal (prek.alaceed.alabama.gov) with a birth certificate and proof of residence; immunization records are due at enrollment. For 2026-27, pre-registration ran January 15 to March 11, 2026. ADECE had not posted the 2027-28 window on October 28, 2026.
Can First Class Pre-K happen at a private or church school?
It can if that site holds a funded classroom: Alabama's mixed-delivery model includes private child care centers and faith-based centers as well as public schools and Head Start. Ask a private school with a pre-K program whether it is a First Class Pre-K site before you budget for pre-K tuition.
Does the CHOOSE Act pay for pre-K?
No. The ESA starts at K5, and a 2026-27 kindergarten applicant had to turn 5 by September 1, 2026. That leaves First Class Pre-K, private tuition, and child care subsidies as the options for 3- and 4-year-olds.
First Class Pre-K vs CHOOSE Act money
| First Class Pre-K | CHOOSE Act ESA |
|---|---|
| Age 4 by September 1 | K5 through grade 12 |
| Seat assigned by random drawing at each site | Award by application and priority order |
| Free; the state funds the classroom | $7,000 or $2,000 into a family account |