Methodology
How Childery Rates Alabama Daycares
Updated May 2026.
Rating Distribution in Alabama
Childery shows 2,411 daycares in Alabama. Here's how their Overall Ratings break down.
Mean rating across all displayed daycares in Alabama: 2.96.
Process Quality
Childery's Process Rating for Alabama daycares averages metrics from Alabama's Quality Rating and Improvement System, National Accreditation Programs, and Federal Head Start Classroom Observation Scores. Missing metrics do not count against a provider.
Alabama Quality STARS
Alabama Quality STARS ratings are determined by a program's performance across 6 Best Practice Rubric domains (curriculum and instruction, screening and assessment, family engagement, professional credential, environment, and program design) with classroom observations conducted by trained assessors.
NAEYC Accreditation
NAEYC accreditation is awarded after a provider demonstrates excellence across 9 standards (relationships with children within the classroom, family and community partnerships, curriculum, teaching, assessment, health, physical environment, educator professionalism, and program leadership) through both a document review and on-site classroom visit.
NAC Accreditation
NAC accreditation is awarded after a provider demonstrates excellence across 7 component areas (administration, professional development, family engagement, curriculum, teacher-child interactions, and program- and classroom-level health and safety) through document review, on-site classroom observation, family and employee surveys, and interviews.
NECPA Accreditation
NECPA accreditation is awarded after a provider demonstrates excellence across 4 categories (program administration, teacher-child interactions, curriculum and developmental program, and staff qualifications) through a self-study and improvement period followed by an on-site verification visit reviewing documentation and observing classrooms.
NAFCC Accreditation
NAFCC accreditation is awarded after a home-based provider demonstrates excellence across 5 content areas (relationships, the environment, developmental learning activities, safety and health, and professional and business practices) through a self-study followed by an on-site observation visit with an educator interview.
Federal Head Start Classroom Observation Scores
Head Start CLASS scores are produced for each center across 3 domains (emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support) by trained federal observers.
Structural Quality
Childery's Structural Rating for Alabama daycares averages metrics from Alabama's licensing records and regulatory baseline, scored against NAEYC, NIEER, Federal Head Start, Federal CCDBG, or Childery benchmarks. Missing metrics do not count against a provider.
- Childery
- Active in Good Standing
- Alabama
- Varies by Provider
- Adverse Actions on Record
- Childery
- None
- Alabama
- Varies by Provider
- Infants
- NAEYC
- 1:4
- Alabama
- 1:5
- Toddlers
- NAEYC
- 1:6
- Alabama
- 1:7
- Preschool
- NAEYC
- 1:10
- Alabama
- 1:18
- Infants
- NAEYC
- ≤8
- Alabama
- Not Regulated
- Toddlers
- NAEYC
- ≤12
- Alabama
- Not Regulated
- Preschool
- NAEYC
- ≤20
- Alabama
- Not Regulated
- Lead Teacher Credential
- NAEYC/NIEER/Childery
- Bachelor's Degree
- Alabama
- High School Diploma
- Pre-Service
- NAEYC/NIEER/Childery
- ≥2,080 Hours
- Alabama
- 12 Hours
- Ongoing Professional Development
- NAEYC/NIEER/Childery
- ≥25 Hours/Year
- Alabama
- 12 Hours/Year
- Federal CCDBG
- First Aid
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- CPR
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- SIDS Reduction
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Medication Administration
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Child Abuse Reporting
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Emergency Preparedness
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Transportation Precautions
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Child Development
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Building Safety
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Hazardous Materials Handling
- Alabama
- ✓
- Federal CCDBG
- Food Emergencies
- Alabama
- ✓
Additional Methodology Information
Need more help? Read frequently asked questions about how Childery rates daycares — covering what each star level means, why Process and Structural are separated, how missing signals are handled, and how to flag a record that looks incorrect.
View Methodology