The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the social work profession on day care delivery from 1890 to 1946, and to relate the outcomes of the investigation to some contemporary social policy issues. The first chapter discusses day care during the Progressive Era (1890 to 1918) while the second chapter explores the "professionalization" of the day nursery from 1919 to 1930. Chapter three focuses on day care delivery during the depression years (1931 to 1939). The development of "foster family day care homes" during this period is explored in detail and the developing concern for the "mental hygiene" of children in the day nursery is discussed. The fourth chapter evaluates persistently neglected issues in the history of day care, this time in the context of the World War II era. The initial negative reaction of social workers to mothers entering the labor force is depicted in this chapter. The final chapter summarizes all of these themes in the context of the conflicting social policy goals surrounding current day care services. In addition, the role of social services is evaluated according to the options presented in the revised draft of the 1979 Health, Education, and Welfare Day Care Regulations. Supporting documentation concerning research on day nurseries from 1919 to 1929, federal policy on day care services during World War I and the depression years, and day care services during World War II is included in three appendices. (Author/RH)