This study offers a profile of child care workers in family day care homes and child care centers, reporting general statistics and examining their wages, benefits, training, working conditions, and turnover rates. In addition, it looks at government regulation and licensing, employer-sponsored programs, child abuse, insurance rates, and federal legislation affecting child care. Finally, the report notes future trends in the field, including the growth of professional organizations, growth of resource and referral agencies, increased parent involvement, diversification of employer-sponsored child care programs and benefits, the unionization of workers and the increase of for-profit day care chains. Recommendations are made to address the need for increased support from all sectors of society for child care and child care workers. Resources for child care information are listed and described. (RH)