The guidelines offered for child care providers in this training manual are intended to insure quality care in day care centers that meet the on-going daily needs of children--nutrition, health, social, intellectual and physical development. The manual begins by individually addressing by age (infants and toddlers, two-year-olds, three- and four-year-olds, and five-year-olds) the following: physical environment, classroom arrangement, schedules and routines, guidance and teaching techniques, and meals and snacktimes. Other sections of the manual take into account (1) school-aged children, (2) handicapped children, (3) personnel, (4) records (children, staff, and financial), (5) food management and nutrition (planning and purchasing, recommended daily allowances, and sample menus), (6) discipline, (7) health and safety, (8) social services, (9) parent involvement, (10) parts of a day, and (11) the components of a good early childhood education program. (HOD)