In early 2020, the Washington State Departments of Commerce and Children, Youth and Families engaged in research studies related to early childhood education finance. The Child Care Collaborative Task Force, established by the Washington State Legislature, directed Commerce to conduct a Child Care Industry Assessment, which included the development of a child care cost estimate model. The intent of this model is to estimate the cost of compliance with licensing regulations and the cost to meet Early Achievers quality standards, to help the state better understand the resources needed to provide high-quality care. To complete the child care cost estimate model, the state engaged Capito Associates, through a subcontract under the larger Child Care Industry Assessment contract with ICF. (author abstract)