What is the overarching law that governs child care regulations at the federal level?

The Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act serves as the overarching law that governs child care regulations at the federal level. Enacted in 1990 and reauthorized multiple times, this act is crucial for providing funding to states for child care assistance, thereby ensuring that low-income families have access to affordable, high-quality child care services. The CCDBG establishes standards and policies to enhance the safety, quality, and accessibility of child care programs across the United States. Moreover, it mandates states to implement certain requirements to protect the health and safety of children in care settings, which underscores its fundamental role in shaping federal child care regulations.

In contrast, the other options focus on specific aspects of child welfare or education rather than comprehensive regulatory frameworks for child care. For instance, while the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act is significant for addressing child abuse and neglect, it does not encompass the broader regulatory environment for child care services. Similarly, the Federal Child Support Enforcement Act pertains to child support and custody rather than child care licensing, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is primarily focused on ensuring educational rights for children with disabilities. Each of these laws plays an important part in the child welfare system, but none cover the extensive scope of child care regulations that the