Child Care Center Authorization Information
Key Definitions:
- Child Care Center - Any child care facility receiving more than twelve children younger than lawful school age for daytime or nighttime care for more than four hours per day or twenty hours per week.
- Lawful School Age - Children who are five years of age on or before September 1 (or the day on which school begins) of a given year.
- Camp - Any place, area, parcel, or tract of land upon which persons or groups of persons temporarily congregate for educational, recreational, religious or therapeutic purposes.
Opening a Child Care Center?
To obtain the Authorization to Operate, the childcare center must:
-
Receive approval from the following agencies:
- Local Zoning Board
- Local Fire Marshal
- DHR Child Care Services Division
- Submit the JCDH Plan Review Packet with the required fee
Opening a Camp?
To open a day or after-school program for school-aged children, submit the Camp Application.
For more information:
Visit the Food and Lodging Desk at the Jefferson County Department of Health, 1400 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35233. You can also contact us at (205) 930-1260 or food.lodging@jcdh.org.