An ongoing child care improvement study is being conducted of approximately 150 licensed child care providers in 4 Florida counties. The study is assessing the impact of state legislation, which mandated lower caregiver-to-child ratios and increased credentialing. Thus far, the study has found the following effects: (1) children's emotional and intellectual development is improving; (2) teachers are more responsive and receptive since the increase in ratios; (3) negative management styles have become less frequently used; (4) global quality improved significantly from 1992-1994; (5) the number of children in child care has remained constant, but the number of staff has increased slightly; (6) teachers' salaries and parent fees have increased slightly; and (7) teacher turnover increased slightly. (Includes 15 tables, some of which are appended; and contains 46 references.) (JW)