The last decade has seen the emergence of family child care as a newly dynamic segment of the child care profession. This book presents the results of an observational study on quality in family child care and relative care that was conducted between September 1991 and December 1992. Chapter 1 explains the purposes of the study and reviews the research on family child care and relative care. Chapter 2 provides detailed information regarding the selection of the sample for the study and procedures for gathering data. Chapter 3 describes the characteristics of the providers who participated in the study, and chapter 4 explains how the study measured quality in family child care and relative care. Chapter 5 compares the quality of care among regulated, nonregulated, and relative providers. Chapter 6 examines the relationship of the quality of care to family income and ethnicity. Chapter 7 compares providers offering different quality levels of care. Mothers' and children's experiences with family child care and relative care are addressed in chapters 8 and 9, respectively. Chapters 10, 11, and 12 examine the relationship of quality to regulation, cost, and caregiver turnover. Chapter 13 presents the key findings and implications of the study along with conclusions and recommendations. Over 100 references are included. (TJQ)