This booklet reviews the history, current conditions, and future prospects of child care programs in America. Institutionalization of children, placement in foster homes and nurseries, the professionalization of day nurseries, federal monetary assistance to nursery schools, increases in the number of working mothers, and recent proposals for comprehensive care are briefly recounted. The controversy over public vs. private control of early childhood education is discussed. The position of the American Federation of Teachers is advocated. It is concluded that only if the government is willing to make a major change in social policy will it be possible to avoid having inadequate and limited child care develop into a problem of catastrophic proportions. A major recommendation is that public schools act as coordinators for all children's services. (Author/RH)