The history of American early care and education shows the episodic nature of the emphasis accorded young children. In the absence of any single focus, the profession is faced with multiple problems, multiple rationales, and multiple responses occurring simultaneously. Several new approaches to early care reform have been undertaken by different states, all of which reflect efforts that are collaborative and bi-directional (looking backward and forward simultaneously), and emphasize systemic alterations and quality enhancement. Based on a systems approach to reform, five essential functions that would ensure the effective operation of the early care and education system have been defined: (1) collaborative planning and cross-system linkages; (2) consumer and public engagement; (3) quality assurance; (4) professional and work force development; and (5) financing. These functions are not designed to replace a rich visionary process, but to serve as one step in framing what some of the visions might be, and in clarifying the mechanisms necessary to meet those visions. (BAC)