Definition

Number - the combined total capacity of licensed early learning centers.

Rate - licensed capacity per 100 children ages 0-4 in the population.

Data Source

Agenda for Children's analysis of data provided by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Family Support, the Louisiana Department of Education, and the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Population Estimates Program.

Notes

Capacity is the maximum number of children who can be care for in a center at any given time. It is determined by a facility’s physical characteristics and size. Because many centers do not operate at full capacity for various reasons (including quality, staffing difficulties, low demand, etc.), the actual number of children served in licensed settings is likely to be lower than the maximum capacity.

Note that 2020 data reflects the capacity of open centers, and does not include the capacity of sites that had temporarily closed due to COVID-19.

Last Updated

2025-06