
About First Class Foundations
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education has piloted the First-Class B-5 Foundation Sites (B-5), birth to age-five childcare programs that also house First Class Pre-K classrooms. The project’s focus has been on understanding best practices for the use of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System tool (CLASS) in Alabama early childcare settings. CLASS is used as a measure of quality in a program, and a means to drive coaching. Foundation sites have reviewed the resulting data and created a system of continuity for quality. Each site receives continued support for classrooms, as well as opportunities for teachers to advance in their education. Foundation sites have a STAR-rating from Alabama Quality Stars, with additional support to enhance to quality based on best practices in early childhood education.