Washington state has been ranked second in the nation for its oversight of family home child care by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). The group  recently released its 2012 ranking.

The report, Leaving Children to Chance: 2012 Update, ranks 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense  based on 11 program requirements and five oversight elements. Washington scored 119 points out of a possible 150. The report said that        Washington is one of only nine states that conduct a comprehensive background check that includes a check against the sex offender registry and fingerprint checks.

Sixteen states scored zero points out of 150 because they do not regulate family home child care or do not inspect before licensing providers. The average score  was 69 points.

Washington started regulating child care providers in the 1960s after a fire in a family home child care killed three children.