Alabama's state funded pre-k program, First Class, has been recognized by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) for its high quality. Alabama is one of only 5 states to receive this distinction. Pre-k in Alabama is something for our state to be proud of!

The NIEER quality benchmarks are

• Comprehensive early learning standards
• Pre-k teachers have a bachelor's degree with specialized early childhood training
• Assistant pre-k teachers have a Childcare Development Associate (CDA)
• Teachers participate in substantial number of hours of professional development
• Maximum class size is 20 or fewer
• Staff to child ratio is 1:10 or less
• Children receive screening, referral and support services for vision, hearing, dental, health and other support areas
• Children are provided meals and/or snacks
• Systems hold individual classrooms accountable and monitor to ensure quality standards are being met.

Alabama has scored a perfect "10" on these quality standards by meeting and/ or exceeding the benchmarks established by NIEER.