This ERIC Digest briefly reviews studies of maternal employment, child care settings, and links between children's development and family and child care influences. Studies of maternal employment suggest that infants' positive relationships with caregivers may compensate for insecure attachments with mothers. If future research supports this conclusion, the stability and characteristics of the infant child care caregiver will assume great importance. Some research suggests that infants and toddlers cared for by responsive and sensitive caregivers have higher cognitive and language scores and greater social competence than do children who receive care from less responsive and less sensitive caregivers. Several features of the child care environment are linked to caregiver sensitivity and responsiveness. These include formal training in child development, a small number of children to care for, the number of adults in the caregiving environment, short hours, decreased responsibility for housework, and environments designed to be safe and appropriate for children. Research evidence does not suggest that infant child care per se is detrimental to the child's future social and emotional development. Research does raise concerns for the child who experiences insensitive care both at home and in child care. (RH)