Five major factors are responsible for the daycare industry increasing at a faster rate than the number of working mothers: growth in numbers of children under six, family changes causing decreased care by relatives, government funding, tax credits, and private initiatives, such as corporate and nonprofit-sponsored daycare. (SK)

In 1996, the child care fields employed about 2.3 million workers, and opportunities in these fields are expected to grow at a faster than average rate through the year 2005. The training and qualifications required of child care workers vary widely. Each state has licensing requirements that regulate caregiver training, ranging from a high school…