In February 2026, the Archbridge Institute published its 2026 edition of the State Childcare Regulations Index.
As a simple comparison, we have ranked how Head Start pre-kindergarten (pre-K) program regulations compare to state regulations. Head Start has different child-to-staff ratios depending on the age and number of children in the classroom, as well as if the program is a “single” or “double” session. Single sessions are one group of 3- to 5-year-old children receiving care per day. Double sessions are two groups of 3- to 5-year-old children receiving care from the same staff on the same day. There are also different regulations based on the number of children 2-years-old and younger (groups of eight and fewer or groups of nine). Finally, like many state regulations, child-to-staff ratios and maximum group size differ by age of the children.
We ranked Head Start as a separate entity or “state” in the State Childcare Regulations Index. Here are our results. We highlight and focus on the bottom 10 states and programs:
Nearly all Head Start programs would fall in the bottom of the State Childcare Regulations Index in terms of regulatory stringency. Only Vermont is slightly more stringent than Head Start regulations for a single-session childcare program with fewer than nine children.
A recent publication by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation finds large differences across states with respect to spending per slot for Head Start pre-K programs. Reducing the regulatory burden associated with pre-K programs would allow more students to participate in Head Start pre-K, and this is important given the long-run benefits economists have estimated from students participating in Head Start programs.
As states begin to grapple with escalating service costs, the federal government should consider reviewing its current Head Start pre-K regulations. Other than Vermont, Head Start regulations are more stringent than any other state regulations for childcare facilities.
Share:
Related Posts
