The question of who should provide day care services is an unresolved issue in the current day care debate and a topic now on the national agenda because it is the common concern of a constellation of diverse, highly motivated interest groups. Motivation for extending day care in the United States stems from several factors: among these are the changing American family and labor force, the demand for equal educational opportunity, the "workfare" movement (advocating provision of day care services so that mothers can get off the welfare roles), and, generally, awareness of the importance of early childhood experience for later performance. As a result of widespread public interest, it is probable that a national program of day care for preschool children will be developed in the foreseeable future. However, before policy can be established, major issues of day care must be discussed. Specifically, the issues of eligibility, program approach, costs, personnel, and delivery agencies must be considered. Possible spillover effects of the expansion of day care on other areas of society can be envisioned and should be taken account of in the policy debate. Given the diversity of goals and the variety of interests at work in this controversy over day care provision, the case can be made that no one national system of day care should be instituted at this time. (RH)