Arizona is continuing to rank in the lowest category of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count Data Book.

The report uses census data to take the pulse of how children are doing across categories like education and economic well-being. 

While the state has seen slight improvements compared to last year, structural problems in child care continue to weigh the state down.

The data book notes that many parents cannot get access to child care that is compatible with work, pay and commutes.

According to a press release from the Children’s Action Alliance, the average cost of care for a toddler in Arizona was nearly $11,000. 

Child care workers are often paid low wages, with a median income of less than $30,000 a year. 

The Alliance’s Interim President and CEO Kelley Murphy says the problems are structural.

“In Arizona, the child care industry is overseen by multiple different state agencies. Which isn’t ideal because it creates discrepancies in the kinds of things we are asking programs to do," Murphy said. 

Arizona ranked 39th in overall child well-being.

“I think the overall takeaway is that over time if we fail to invest in these things, it is a choice we are making not to invest in helping children and families succeed," Murphy said. 

Murphy added that changes beyond funding are needed, such as making it easier for people to become licensed providers.