This dataset is the result of a qualitative study exploring the impact on child care providers of recent changes in government policies such as the 2014 reauthorization of the Child Care Development Block Grant and the increasing number of state-funded pre-kindergarten programs. Although there is much research on the benefits of quality care for children, and some research on the struggles of parents seeking high quality care, few elicit the perspective of this crucial work force. Six focus groups were conducted with a total of 49 providers. Two groups each, one with center-based providers and one with home-based providers, were held in an urban, suburban, and rural location. Focus group data were supplemented with data from interviews with six rural providers, for a total study sample of 55. All interviews and focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a constant comparative method and coding for emergent and sensitizing concepts