Last verified: October 2026
How do I get free pre-K in Birmingham?
Register your 4-year-old for First Class Pre-K through ADECE's online portal and list several sites, because each site fills seats by random drawing. It is free, runs 6.5 hours a day, and has no income test; for 2026-27 pre-registration ran January 15 to March 11, 2026.
Who helps pay for child care before pre-K?
DHR's Child Care Subsidy Program, managed for Jefferson and Shelby by Child Care Central's Birmingham Region, and Childcare Resources' Supplemental Child Care Program for children under 5. DHR starts at up to 180% of poverty with weekly fees from $0 to $39; Childcare Resources requires 30 working hours a week and keeps a waiting list.
Which private schools here have preschool?
49 schools in our directory enroll pre-K children according to the federal survey, including 21 programs that stop before first grade, many of them weekday ministries of Baptist and Methodist churches.
Pre-K options compared
| First Class Pre-K | Child care subsidy |
|---|---|
| Age 4 by September 1 | Birth through school age |
| Free, no income test | Income-tested with a weekly fee |
| School-day hours | Covers working hours |