The purpose of this paper is to assess the utility of a conceptual model of factors involved in early childhood policy development. The assessed model provides a framework which focuses on the interactive nature of decision-making. Basic parameters are identified and applied to an instance of successful participation in the development of policies for day care support by a private, not-for-profit agency. Analysis focuses on characteristics of the interaction setting, roles of participants in the policy-making process, individual personality variables, the nature of the issue under consideration, the influence of organizational parameters, and societal values. Implications for theory construction, research, and for specialists in early childhood are discussed. (Author/RH)