Reviews research showing that there is a level of quality below which children's development is compromised. Uses analogies of options available to consumers when buying cars to designate features of quality child care. Argues that high-quality care should be available to all children. (AMC)

Outlines some of the findings from public opinion polls and surveys on how the voting public feels about child care and what the actual problems are. Also indicates studies on child care which are now in progress. (BB)

Presents various questions and answers on issues concerning the federal legislation known as the Act for Better Child Care. Issues addressed include child care program costs, national and state standards for quality child care programs, and child care staff compensation. (BB)

Maintains that, as for other families with young children, availability, quality, and cost are important child care issues for families with special needs, including families with single heads of household, families with female heads of household, families in poverty, minority families, and families with handicapped children. (BB)

Presents testimony given at a Congressional briefing on findings of the National Child Care Staffing Study. The study concerned the staffing and budgeting crisis in the child care industry as a whole and the University of Pittsburgh Child Development Center in particular. (Author/BB)

Maintains that the real solution to demands for high-quality, affordable, readily available infant/toddler child care is society's recognition of the value of parenting both for the nation as a whole and for individual development, and the movement of child care roles and responsibilities from the exclusive realm of motherhood to include fathers.…

Based on the results of a study of conditions in child care centers in North Carolina, a model project to upgrade child caregivers' levels of education and compensation was developed. Describes the implementation, outcomes, and evaluation of this project. (BB)

Maintains that historically the mission of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has centered on overcoming the obstacles to achieving quality in early childhood programs. After recent debate, the mission statement was changed to call for facilitation of improvement of working conditions in the early childhood field.…

Addresses a number of arguments against government involvement in child care. Advocates carefully delimiting the involvement of government in child care. (BB)