Fifth in a series of seven volumes reporting the design, methodology, and findings of the 4-year National Day Care Home Study (NDCHS), this volume presents a descriptive and statistical analysis of the day care institutions that administer day care systems. These systems, such as Learning Unlimited in Los Angeles and the family day care program of the Association for Jewish Children, are one of the principal mechanisms for providing subsidized day care in a family day care setting. The investigation of the family day care systems was based on interviews conducted with staff of 22 systems, both in the National Day Care Home Study sites and elsewhere. Chapter I discusses federal and state involvement in family day care. Regulations and funding at sites in California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Massachusetts, and Arkansas are described. Chapter II describes the operation of a family day care system from its inception to the selection of child care providers and delivery of special services to children and parents. The responsibilities of providers, services to providers, exclusive use agreements and the status of sponsored providers are discussed. Chapter III presents descriptive data on program and cost characteristics. Functional cost allocations, supplemental services and in-kind contributions as well as direct child care costs versus administrative costs are reported. In conclusion, the Child Care Food Program (CCFP) is discussed in terms of administrative responsibilities and the relationship of the CCFP to family day care systems. Individual program descriptions and related data are appended. (Author/RH)