The Center for Rural Policy and Development first started looking into the matter of the child care shortage in 2015. In the process of this initial research, they found a corresponding shortage of information on just why providers were leaving the business. As a result, they concluded in 2018 that it was necessary to conduct a survey that would allow them to hear directly from providers themselves, both family and center-based. The goal was to look deeper into the issue by asking providers themselves what's going on. From 1,500 surveys sent out to both family providers (those offering child care in their homes) and center-based child care providers, they received just under 400 responses. The two main areas of this survey asked about finances and regulations to see how each might play a role in why providers are leaving the business. The survey results showed, however, that regulations and finances are entwined, it seems especially for center providers. [For the summary of the full report, "Listening to Child Care Providers: Results of a Statewide Survey," see ED597234.]