With the goal of moving toward an alternative rate model for child care subsidies, the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) partnered with the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) to conduct a study to estimate the true cost of high-quality child care and to recommend three new rate models for the state to consider. Adequate subsidy rates are thought to contribute to a more sustainable system, leading to more child care options for families and a more stable workforce. This report brief is a summary of lessons learned in the full report.