KEY FACTS ABOUT
Children birth to 3 years, their families, and the child care system that serves them

2005 estimated population: 4,557,808
U.S. Census 2005 Population Estimate

2000 population: 4,447,100
U.S. Census 2000

• An average of 7,257 children 0–3 are served per month by the Child Care and Development Fund
  (FY 2005 ACF-801 data)

• In Federal Fiscal Year 2006 the Infant/Toddler Child Care and Development Fund Set-Aside = $1,987,547
  (FY 2006 CCDF Allocations and Earmarks, U.S. Dept. of HHS, ACF)

• 524 children served by 9 grantees are in Early Head Start
  (2006 Early Head Start Funded Enrollment)
  (EHSNRC Database—September 2006)
• 45% of all the requests for child care to the child care resource and referral programs were for infant and toddler care
  (Child Care in America: 2006 State Fact Book, NACCRRA)

• 2,476 children under 3 receive early intervention services under IDEA, Part C
  (U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Ed. Programs, Data Analysis System (DANS), 2005)

In Center-Based Care the staff-to-child ratios are

1:5 for 0-18 months; 1:7 for 18 months to 30 months
(State Licensing Regulations)

In Family Child Care the staff-to-child ratios are

1:6 (with no more than 3 children under 12 months)
(State Licensing Regulations)

178,392 Children under The age of 3 live in Alabama

U.S. Census 2005 Population Estimate

52% of Alabama Women with Children Under the Age of 3 Are in the Labor Force

Current Population Survey, March 2001

Average annual fee for full-time child care for
an infant in center based care………………… $4,397

Cost of child care for an infant as percent of
median income for two-parent families …………. 7%

Cost of child care for an infant as percent of
median income for single parent families……… 27%           

Alabama Department of Human Resources
Child Care Services Division
50 Ripley Street
PO Box 304000
Montgomery, Alabama  36130