The purpose of the current study was to examine program- and community-level characteristics related to total points earned by early care and education programs in North Carolina’s Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS). Multiple statewide data sources, programand community-level characteristics were combined to better understand associations with total points awarded in the TQRIS. The concentration of state and federal funding at the program level, and the socioeconomics of the Q3 communities that programs resided were related to program quality. The current study demonstrated that there are inequities within the system where the highest quality early care and education programs are differentially available based on program funding characteristics, community socioeconomics, and interactions among the program and community variables. Future research and policy implications are discusse
