Written for policymakers, parents, and child care providers, this book provides an in-depth look at the child care industry, identifying crucial problems such as quality of care and the high cost of even mediocre care. The book identifies needed changes, including stronger regulatory procedures for providers and suppliers of care and tens of billions more in government subsidies to provide help for hard pressed parents. The book also helps parents understand the hidden costs of child care and offers guidelines to use when selecting care. The chapters of the book are: (1) "The Problem: What's Wrong with Child Care in America?" (2) The Question: How Could We Make Child Care Affordable to All?" (3) "The Design: What Should a New Child Care System Look Like?" (4) "The Yardstick: What Child Care Deserves To Be Called 'Good'?" (5) The Report Card: How Much of America's Child Care Is Good?" (6) "The Regulations: How Much Quality Control in Child Care?" (7) "The Marketplace: What Is Peculiar about the Child Care Industry?" (8) "The Caregivers: How Could We Improve Their Lot?" and (9) "The Cost: How Much Would It Take To Provide Affordability and Improved Quality?" The book's two appendices include policy recommendations and a checklist for parents trying to evaluate caregivers. (Contains extensive notes organized by chapter.) (HTH)