Criteria for being accepted into the program:
In order to be considered for enrollment, you must have an application on file with The Children’s Program. Our priority is to the faculty, staff and students of The University of Alabama. However, we also accept children from the community when space is available. Children are accepted based on the instructional and research needs of the program. Because this is a laboratory setting for The University of Alabama, and a research facility, an intentional effort is made to create balanced classrooms. We attempt to enroll an equal number of boys and girls in each class. Ages within classes are also balanced in order to reflect a developmental year in each class. We seek to offer equitable spaces for faculty, staff, and students, with community representation, as well. Efforts are made to enroll children and families who are reflective of the diverse population of our campus. After these factors have been considered, date of application is used to order the pool of candidates when enrollment opportunities are offered. The composition of classes is designed by the program Director, who is responsible for filling any vacancies that occur in The Children’s Program. If you would like to talk to the Director, please provide us an email address and a telephone number. The Director will contact you as soon as possible. We will email you an application or you are welcome to stop by The Children’s Program to pick one up. We are located at 651 Peter Bryce Blvd, across from University Medical Center.
Program Hours & Holiday Schedule:
The Children’s Program is a full-time program. The hours of operation are from 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. We do not provide part time services. Children enrolled are requested to attend on a regular basis. We follow The University of Alabama holiday calendar. The holidays generally include Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Spring Break, Memorial Day and Independence Day. We also take professional development days each year – 4 during the school year and 2 weeks in the summer (1 week at the end of May and at the end of July.)
Tuition:
Tuition is paid monthly and is based on affiliation with the University:
(Following tuition rates effective October 1, 2025}
Students $480 Staff $710 Faculty $750 Community $750
Fees:
Annual supply fee of $200 for all affiliations charged on the pt of October.
Tours:
Once your child is eligible for a space in our program, the Director will make an appointment with families to take a closer look at the center. At that time, families will have the opportunity to tour the classroom the child is assigned to, meet the teachers and discuss all aspects of the program with the director prior to making the decision to enroll. For additional information please contact The Children’s Program at 205-348-7932.