This volume combines an executive summary, a report, and appendixes, all of which comprise the findings of the Profile of Child Care Settings Study. The study collected information on the supply of formal early education and care programs by means of telephone interviews with a national sample of center directors and home-based providers of early education and child care. The procedure for selecting the sample is outlined. Data are reported for numerous characteristics of early education and care programs. Characteristics relevant to the supply of programs include the use of programs; the organizational characteristics of programs; admission policies; enrollment; staffing; program goals; and the nature of programs serving children from low-income families. Characteristics of programs include quality indicators; group size and child-staff ratio; caregiver qualifications; and program sponsorship. Discussion of fees charged by programs indicates that fees are related to various program characteristics. Trends in center- and home-based early education and care are also discussed. These trends involve enrollment, staff characteristics, services provided, and fees. A list of 40 references is provided. Appendixes include supplemental tables of data; a summary of national studies of early education and care programs; an explanation of the sample design, frame, weights, and sampling errors; the contextual variables of the sample; two copies of the survey instrument (one for center-based and one for home-based programs); and a 140-item questionnaire. (BC)