Recognizing the substantial number of children using center-based care in Minnesota and the convergence of research showing that the quality of children’s early care and education is linked to developmental outcomes that are important for children’s early school success, the Minnesota Child Care Policy Research Partnership conducted the first statewide observational study of quality in child care centers. The primary objectives of the study are to inform policymakers about the level of quality observed in child care centers; the characteristics of programs providing higher quality care; and the resources needed by child care centers to improve quality.