A mandated study was made of Virginia's roles in child day care regulation and the promotion of high quality care. The primary objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the state's goals in regulating child day care and determine whether changes to the regulatory system were needed to meet those goals; and (2) review the state's role in promoting availablity and quality of care to determine whether additional state initiatives should be considered. Surveyed were 1,820 households, 226 child care centers, 331 children's programs, 310 regulated child day care providers, 53 unregulated family day care homes, 31 licensing specialists, 7 licensing administrators, 13 consumer associations, 84 provider associations, and 15 other states. In addition, research staff visited 73 programs to ascertain the types of child care available and evaluate differences in the types and quality of care. Findings are discussed in terms of child care in Virginia, regulation of child day care in the state, redefinition of the state's regulatory role, reconsideration of the regulatory system, state initiatives for promotion of child care in Virginia, and recommendations. (RH)