This exploratory study focused on the interactional dimensions of kith and kin care, and involved childcare providers living in low-income urban communities in Los Angeles (80% African American; 20% Latina). The focus of the present study was to examine: 1) The range and variability of each index of quality--providers' professional development background, provider-child engagement, provider sensitivity and environmental quality; 2) ethnic differences for each of these constructs; and 3) whether these various dimensions of quality were interrelated. Results indicated that there are distinct patterns of provider-child engagement practices, and providers' professional education experiences were related to those practices. Provider-child relationship quality was associated with providers' ethnicity and professional background. Environmental quality was also associated with professional education and provider sensitivity. Findings from this study add to a growing base of evidence that it is important to examine the variability in the quality of care by informal kith and kin childcare providers.