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UAB-Alabama Museum of Health Sciences collection new Pappas Gallery in the Lister Hill Library Ella Sykes in Maroon Sweater Aaron Pall in Blue Stripe -Ck last name Grayson Murphy in Green jacket Rachal Jones Lopez in Red Stripe Releases signed. — Kiddos at J. Alex, one of EXCEL’s early learning centers. (United Way of Central Alabama)

Did you know that on average, across Central Alabama’s six counties, there are fewer than seven childcare centers for every 1,000 children between the ages of three and five?

According to United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), access to early-learning facilities is crucial due to the long-lasting impact it can have on children’s educational achievement as they age. The local nonprofit has a program called EXCEL—Expanding Childcare and Early Learning—created to help providers increase their capacity and offer high-quality early learning programs.

Keep reading to see EXCEL’s impact in Central Alabama kids and how you can help.

EXCEL was created to grow local early education resources

UWCA EXCEL program—early learning efforts — EXCEL impacts the growing number of high-quality childhood development centers. (United Way of Central Alabama)

EXCEL supports childcare providers across Central Alabama by helping them grow stronger businesses, improve program quality and expand access to high-quality early education.

Its mission is to equip childcare providers with the business tools, educational coaching and financial support they need to ensure that every child enters kindergarten ready to learn.

“EXCEL impacts the community by supporting growing small businesses, many of which are led by women in the childcare sector. Through this support, EXCEL also strengthens the local economy by promoting business sustainability, creating jobs and increasing economic activity in the community.”
Olivia Hayes, Senior Program Coordinator, United Way of Central Alabama

EXCEL’s impact in Central Alabama

Little Royalties EXCEL — Little Royalties Child Development Center ribbon cutting in Hueytown. (United Way of Central Alabama)

Since its launch, United Way’s EXCEL has made measurable progress in addressing childcare shortages across Central Alabama.

The program’s accomplishments include:

Funding the expansion of 51 early learning programs across Birmingham
Expanded access to high-quality child care for an estimated 2,000 additional children
Generating approximately 140 new jobs within early learning centers
Invested $1,275,000 in helping early learning providers expand, improve + thrive

EXCEL grants up to $25,000 to each child care provider, which can be used for infrastructure-related costs such as new classrooms, classroom supplies and playground equipment. These investments ultimately help increase access to high-quality child care.

More early education growth efforts through UWCA

But there’s even more that UWCA does to grow early childhood education efforts in Birmingham and beyond.

Success By 6 and Help Me Grow are two more programs within UWCA that transform basic childcare into a high-quality early-learning experience.

At a glance, Success By 6 gives teachers professional development training and provides free school supplies to thousands of children. And Help Me Grow is a free resource that conducts developmental screenings for children ages 0-8.

EXCEL and these other early learning programs are proof of the community-based and people-focused work that United Way does. Are you involved in the early learning world or know someone who is? There are grant opportunities within EXCEL open now!

Learn more about United Way of Central Alabama’s impact and how you can get involved.

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