This article examines the Finnish day-care centre out of a neo-Weberian-Bourdieuan frame of reference. The leading idea is that the day-care centre field is continuously shaping as a result of both inner struggles and struggles with other fields. The state, the education system, and trade unions act as the dealers of professional playing cards. Struggles are fought with strategies of social closure over capitals and positions. The study aims at not only describing the object but at understanding the dynamics involved. The concept of professionalism refers to the ideology of a professional group, according to which the group acts purposefully and in an organised manner to pursue their own interests within the rules of the game of the society. The aim of the professional group is, on the one hand, to maintain the advantages obtained and, on the other, to strengthen their position by allying themselves with the elite of the society. This project of professionalisation entails that professional groups are aiming at a professional status, distinctive from the "ordinary work" and/or semi-professional status, in order to increase their influence in society and their expertise, and to gain better working conditions. During the process, professional groups easily enter into conflicts with various others, such as professional groups in the field, especially with the professions closest to them (e.g. day care and early childhood education). Professional status is backed up by the state and the educational system in particular. The special features of the process are: (1) the project of professionalisation takes a long time; (2) in each country the project of professionalisation has features specific to that country; and (3) the professional groups meet both supporters and opponents on the way. (Contains 3 figures and 4 notes.)