The Office of School Readiness (OSR) is housed within the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (DECE) and is charged with administering Alabama's state-funded pre-kindergarten program. OSR funds First Class Pre-K classrooms through a competitive funding process and administers the program in a variety of settings that include:

• Public schools

• Private childcare and schools

• Head Start programs

• Community-based programs

• Faith-based programs

• Military programs

OSR was created in the 2000 legislative session. In the first year of Operation DECE funded eight pilot Pre-K programs. Since then, state funding for First Class Pre-K has grown and the program has expanded into every single one of Alabama's 67 counties with a statewide goal of serving up to 70% of four-year-olds. OSR currently funds over 1,250 First Class Pre-K classrooms and supports the professional development of a high-quality workforce through education, training, and on-site coaching.

Alabama's state-funded First Class Pre-K program has been awarded the highest quality rating by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) for the past fourteen years. OSR is dedicated to working with Pre-K programs to ensure that Alabama's 4-year-olds have access to high-quality learning experiences that prepare them for future school success. OSR works with classrooms to promote those high-quality experiences in Alabama.

• View the Pre-K Program Flyer for First Class Pre-K sites in Shelby County and tuition information.

• Read the Registration and Selection Protocols handout for more information.

• Read the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education First Class Pre-K Attendance and Tardiness Guidelines

• Read Shelby County Schools First Class Pre-K Attendance and Tardiness Guidelines.