Every state assumes responsibility for regulating child care.
The federal government has not set national child care standards. Regulations vary widely among the states regarding requirements for group size, ratios of children per staff member, teacher training, nutrition, health, safety and space requirements. Regulations do not assure high quality of care. Instead they set the basic floor level of quality protection that must be present when children are in child care. Many parents prefer regulated care, knowing some degree of monitoring takes place.