Cost and quality issues are analyzed as they relate to provision of group day care. A series of assessment tables for self-evaluation of centers is presented. Three specific aspects are considered: cost of care, quality of care delivered to children and staff use in day care centers. Cost analysis focuses on: (1) the total cost of care per child-day and (2) the cost of salaries of personnel involved in child care per child-day. Staff use information is obtained through: (1) a day care center task survey, (2) a teacher task survey, and (3) a child care task survey. Quality of care is assessed by an analysis of: (1) the near environment of the child, (2) child-teacher interaction, and (3) exhibition of child curiosity. The instruments have been field tested and descriptions of the tests are given. The emphasis is on functional assessment which can lead to program and administrative changes which are cost-effective without endangering quality of life for children. Copies of the self-analysis procedure, teacher task survey, day care task survey, child care task sheet, near environment inventory, teaching staff summary and cost analysis work sheet are included. (Author/CM)