Serving as a vehicle for raising the profile of and thereby gaining recognition for the important research and development work being conducted in Canada in support of children and families, the "Research Connections Canada" series compiles research and/or development papers as well as background papers, analytical literature reviews, and essays. This issue of the series focuses on inquiry approaches for evaluating child care. The articles are as follows: (1) "Action Research as an Inquiry Approach Suitable for Child Care Communities: Literature Review" (Diana Nicholson and Frances Ricks), conducted to inform the creation of professional development training in participatory forms of inquiry into parent and community child care perceptions; (2) "Exploring Inquiry Approaches for Child Care Communities: Annotated Bibliography" (Diana Nicholson and Frances Ricks), presenting 46 sources reflecting knowledge in the areas of action research and cooperative inquiry, learning communities and communities of practice, and organizational learning and learning organizations; (3) "Theories and Assumptions in Child Development" (Judith Bernhard), exploring the role of cultural context in child development and three theoretical approachesdominance, development is contextual, and multiple paths of "normal" development; (4) "Contradictory Constructions of the Family Child Care Provider's Role: An Overview of the Ontario Experience" (Irene Kyle), on the difficult transition in role from "day care mother" to "family child care professional"; and (5) "Understanding Family Support Programs" (Suzanne Smythe), addressing five common questions about family support programs and how they work. All of the papers contain references. (HTH)