This monograph describes the developmental context of disadvantaged children in the English-speaking Caribbean. Reported in nontechnical language are the frequencies of responses on a parent interview schedule made by a sample of heads of households with children 0 to 3 years of age. Section 1, part 1 presents information on type of family union, the age at which the mother gave birth, her visit(s) to the clinic, and her approach to breast-feeding and toileting. Section 1, part 2 focuses on child-oriented parental attitudes and beliefs, parent-child attachment, provisions for the development of the child's visual-motor perceptual skills, and initiations into household chores. Section 1, part 3 discusses data concerning the educational level of parents, their occupation and income, and their reading habits. Section 2, part 1 examines data on aspects of the human setting such as family size and number of people helping in child care and childrearing. Section 2, part 2 describes the social process setting as a factor in the development of the child. Section 2, part 3 describes the physical setting in which the child interacts with people and things. Appended are a researcher's personal narrative reflecting emotional responses to the conditions of these poverty-stricken people and an account of an intervention to improve the nutrition of children of participating families. (RH)