This ERIC Digest provides basic information about school-age day care programs. Discussion focuses briefly on options available to families with school-age children, developmental needs of school-age children, characteristics of high quality school-age programs, supportive services for self-care, and ways of improving school-age child care programs. The newly enacted federal Child Care and Development Block Grant, the Dependent Care Block Grant, special school-age child care legislation in at least 14 states, municipal sponsorship, and increased corporate interest are examples of program development. In addition, public schools have begun to form partnerships with provider agencies and to offer programs. It is concluded that good school-age child care must be understood as both a mediating influence that may prevent damage to children and an investment in the well-being of children and their families. (RH)