Find out how your state ranks in the State Childcare Regulations Index 2026 from the Archbridge Institute. We interviewed Ricky Feir a research specialist at the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth at North Dakota State University and a coauthor of the report. He unpacks the key takeaways for regulatory agencies from the report, specifically the impact of child care regulations on the cost and availability of child care.
The second edition of the Childcare Regulation Index ranks states from most childcare freedom to least childcare freedom. In the report, for example, Idaho ranks first, as the state with the most childcare freedom, while Vermont ranks last, as the state with the least child care freedom. In addition to a numbered rank, the research also places each state in one of five “quintiles,” color coding them from the least to most freedom on a U.S. map.
For the index, the Archbridge Institute explains they reviewed state policies and regulations for center-based childcare facilities, including child-to-staff ratio requirements by age, maximum group sizes by age, required annual training hours for staff, and minimum educational requirements for center directors and lead teachers.
“This index serves as a tool for state lawmakers to compare themselves to one another and analyze whether the policies they have in place are truly helping providers and families,” says Feir. “The science shows that, especially in low-income areas, costs increase and availability decreases with stringent regulations.”
Source: Archbridge Institute
Explain what the 2026 State Childcare Regulations Index measures and clarify what a higher or lower score indicates.
The 2026 State Childcare Regulations Index measures how strict or burdensome childcare regulations are for each state in the year 2025. A high score indicates a relatively free state with a low regulatory burden while a low score indicates a state with low freedom or a high regulatory burden.
Identify patterns among states ranking higher or lower in the index.
The five most free states had no group size maximum across ages. Child-to-staff ratios were also comparatively high among these states. The least free states had low maximum group sizes and child-to-staff ratios while having high educational requirements.
Explain how a higher or lower state score impacts residents seeking child care services.
The existing academic literature shows that stricter maximum group sizes, child-to-staff ratios, and education requirements increase the cost of childcare and decrease the availability of childcare. Research does not convincingly show that higher regulations increase the quality of outcomes for children.
Share insights from the report that guide child care agency leaders in modernizing licensing, inspections or compliance oversight.
If regulations were simplified and made more consistent across states, childcare costs would decrease and availability would increase. This would encourage entrepreneurship in childcare and allow providers to retain their most talented teachers.
Describe the most practical way for a state child care licensing agency to use the information in the report.
This index serves as a tool for state lawmakers to compare themselves to one another and analyze whether the policies they have in place are truly helping providers and families. The science shows that, especially in low-income areas, costs increase and availability decreases with stringent regulations.
Any additional information/insights to share?
Over the past decade, states have increased the regulatory burden on childcare centers. We know this increases the cost and decreases availability of childcare. It’s time to look honestly at how these regulations have limited opportunities for families with young children while not necessarily improving quality.
Other resources:
GL Solutions interviewed Anna Claire Flowers on our Talkin’ SaaS podcast for the previous release of the Childcare Regulation Index. Listen to that podcast and read the related article on our website.
Q&A with Index Author Anna Claire Flowers
Child Care Regulation Rankings in the US
Public Dashboard on State Child Welfare Performance
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers presents a guide for state agencies to follow as they prepare to comply with the Department of Justice Final Rule on Web and Mobile App Accessibility. NASCIO IT Accessibility Working Group in Review: A Guide to DOJ Final Rule Compliance pulls together a multi-part paper series, offering states a “practical roadmap for state and local governments implementing digital accessibility under the new rule.” NASCIO points to the interest in accessibility from states, as evidenced by the number six ranking of the topic on the organization’s 2026 State CIO Top 10 Priorities.
Proposed legislation looks to use artificial intelligence to review redundant and outdated regulations. According to FedScoop, the Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Streamline the Code of Federal Regulations Act of 2026 asks the Office of Management and Budget to implement an annual review process using an AI tool. The bill outlines that any agency with a redundant or outdated regulations shall: amend the regulation or rescind or remove that regulation.
Renee Moseley joined GL Solutions in 2016 with an educational and professional background in research and writing, along with software documentation. At GL Solutions she produces informative content to help regulatory agencies stay current on news and information that supports their success.
