The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the child care system in the metropolitan Detroit area is responsive to the needs of families. The study is introduced by a literature review examining current tends and providing a historical overview of child care in the United States. Questionnaires sent to parents of children at eight day care centers assessed parents' needs and family characteristics. Questionnaires sent to directors of 13 day care centers elicited information about program operation. Questionnaires sent to 57 staff members of day care centers assessed factors including staff morale and training. Results from the parent questionnaire indicated that a well-trained staff and the opportunity for children's interaction with peers were the most important issues for parents. The program director questionnaires elicited data on such factors as times of operation of the centers, age groups served, and level of staff training. The staff questionnaire provided data on staff age, education level, and satisfaction with various conditions in the centers. It is concluded that there is a disparity between child care services parents need and those offered by centers in the metropolitan Detroit area. A list of 29 references is provided. Appendixes include copies of the questionnaires used in the study. (BC)