A Guide to Support States and Territories’ Use of Child Care Licensing Data

States and Territories collect different types of data, including, for example, data captured by child care licensing and subsidy agencies and by quality rating and improvement systems. This guide focuses on one of these: administrative data related to child care licensing. Administrative data is information about individual children, families, service providers, and facilities that is collected and maintained as part of regular program operations.This guide will help CCDF/licensing Administrators assess current licensing data systems and identify needed changes. It explores new uses for licensing data, examines some strategies for dealing with common challenges, and provides additional resources for review and reference.