Alabama Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Application for a License to operate a day care center / nighttime center (DHR application form, Appendix A, per 660-5-26-.02(1)) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Licensing Application Attachment (Appendix B) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Alabama Department of Human Resources Request for Clearance of State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect - DHR-DFC Form 1598 (per 660-5-26-.07(2)(b)) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Initial medical examination report form for staff (DHR-CDC-737, 'Medical Report for Persons Giving Care to Children'), signed by a licensed MD, physician's assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, documenting a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray (per 660-5-26-.06(2) and 660-5-26-.06(3)) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed State of Alabama Certificate of Immunization for each enrolled child (per 660-5-26-.08(4)(b)3); or State of Alabama Certificate of Medical Exemption; or Alabama Certificate of Religious Exemption (rule text does not name a specific form number such as IMM 50) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child's Pre-Admission Record (required form, Appendix G, per 660-5-26-.08(4)(b)1) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Authorization for administering medication or medical procedures form (required, non-blanket, valid max 7 days without a physician's statement; Appendix H, per 660-5-26-.04(6)(a)6) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Transportation checklist (required form for loading/unloading each child at each location; Appendix N, per 660-5-26-.05(1)(c)) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Vehicle safety check form (annual, signed by a certified mechanic; Appendix O, per 660-5-26-.05(1)(g)) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

Alabama childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Reference form - written reference statements per applicant/director/staff (Appendix E, per 660-5-26-.07(2)(a)) for every enrolled child (per Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing)).

What forms are required for childcare enrollment in Alabama?

Alabama requires the following forms for each enrolled child: Application for a License to operate a day care center / nighttime center (DHR application form, Appendix A, per 660-5-26-.02(1)); Licensing Application Attachment (Appendix B); Alabama Department of Human Resources Request for Clearance of State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect - DHR-DFC Form 1598 (per 660-5-26-.07(2)(b)); Initial medical examination report form for staff (DHR-CDC-737, 'Medical Report for Persons Giving Care to Children'), signed by a licensed MD, physician's assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, documenting a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray (per 660-5-26-.06(2) and 660-5-26-.06(3)); State of Alabama Certificate of Immunization for each enrolled child (per 660-5-26-.08(4)(b)3); or State of Alabama Certificate of Medical Exemption; or Alabama Certificate of Religious Exemption (rule text does not name a specific form number such as IMM 50); Child's Pre-Admission Record (required form, Appendix G, per 660-5-26-.08(4)(b)1); Authorization for administering medication or medical procedures form (required, non-blanket, valid max 7 days without a physician's statement; Appendix H, per 660-5-26-.04(6)(a)6); Transportation checklist (required form for loading/unloading each child at each location; Appendix N, per 660-5-26-.05(1)(c)); Vehicle safety check form (annual, signed by a certified mechanic; Appendix O, per 660-5-26-.05(1)(g)); Reference form - written reference statements per applicant/director/staff (Appendix E, per 660-5-26-.07(2)(a)).

How long must Alabama childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?

Alabama childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) to confirm the exact retention schedule.

What happens if a Alabama center is missing required child forms during an inspection?

Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a Alabama childcare licensing inspection. Per Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.10 and Code of Ala. 1975, Title 38, Chapter 7: operating a child care facility without a license/six-month permit/approval, or violating any provision of the chapter, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, or imprisonment in the county jail not longer than one year, or both (660-5-26-.10(2)(d)2; cases referred to the Attorney General and appropriate District Attorney for prosecution). Refusing to permit a lawful inspection is a Class C misdemeanor (fine not more than $500 or imprisonment in county jail not more than three months) (660-5-26-.10(2)(e)3). Administrative/adverse actions for noncompliance include deficiency reports, corrective action plans, restriction/modification of the license, probationary status (maximum 6 months), suspension (no longer than 120 days), and revocation of the license/permit/approval (660-5-26-.10(1) and 660-5-26-.10(2)(a)-(c)). Continuing to operate after license expiration is reported to the District Attorney and Attorney General (660-5-26-.02(6)(e)).

Does TotReady provide templates for Alabama required forms?

TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate Alabama-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.