This report describes a two-year research project dealing with the relationship between parents and caregivers in group child care settings. The purposes of the research were to describe the nature of the interpersonal relationships, to identify variables predictive of interactions, and to examine the degree of congruence in child-rearing beliefs. The study sample consisted of 212 parents and 89 caregivers in 12 Detroit area day care centers. The caregiver sample included directors, teachers and aides. The parent sample represented both middle- and working-class blacks and whites, with slightly more than half from one-parent families. Data were collected through structured interviews. The study's scope, theoretical framework, research design and methodology are described in detail. Chapters on the nature of the parent-caregiver relationship consider four aspects of communication behaviors and attitudes: frequency and diversity, systems, attitudes, and mode preferences. Staff variables examined include personal background, function and attitudes. Parent variables include socioeconomic status, day care experience, family composition and attitudes. Also discussed are organizational variables, including types of center sponsorship and informal social networks between parents or parents and caregivers. (BF)