We Can Do Better -- State Child Care Center Licensing

We Can Do Better: 2011 Update

NACCRRA's Ranking of State Child Care Center Regulation and Oversight

More than 11 million children younger than age 5 spend an average of 35 hours a week in some type of child care setting. State child care licensing requirements govern the health, safety and learning opportunities for these children. State oversight requirements monitor compliance with state policies.

We Can Do Better: 2011 Update is the third in a series of reports beginning in 2007 that scores and ranks the states, including the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense (DoD) on 10 program requirements and five oversight benchmarks for child care centers. NACCRRA’s update found that states have made progress but more progress is needed.

The average score in 2011 was 87 out of a possible 150 points (compared to 70 in 2007 and 83 in 2009). Using a standard grading scale, no state earned an A. The Department of Defense earned a B, and four states earned a C. Twenty-one states earned a D. Half of the states (26 states) earned a failing grade. While we should be pleased with the improvement among the states since 2007, an 87 equates to a score of 58 percent, a failing grade in any classroom in America.

To learn more, download the following materials:

Full Report:  
Intro and Chapters 1-5  ( 831.64 KB ) 
Alabama-Mississippi   ( 6.17 MB ) 
Missouri-Wyoming   ( 5.93 MB )
 

Supporting Tables   ( 197.23 KB )

Executive Summary   ( 320.11 KB ) 
Conclusion and Recommendations   ( 133.28 KB ) 
One Pager  ( 102.29 KB )

National Press Release   ( 97.88 KB ) 

Tables:

Ranking Of Child Care Center Combined Scores For Requirements And Oversight   ( 86.9 KB ) 
Ranking of Child Care Center Program Requirements   ( 68.89 KB ) 
Ranking of Child Care Center Oversight   ( 66.51 KB ) 
 

Click below to link to individual states