ABSTRACT
As Sandra Hofferth (this volume) has amply documented, for most American children today nonparental child care is a fact of life. From their earliest months until they are old enough to be on their own after school, more and more children are spending more and more time in the care of some adult other than their parents, in some kind of day care or early childhood program. As a result, questions that were once of academic interest have become the concern of a majority of parents and prospective parents in this country. Of particular concern are two broad questions: What effect does nonparental child care have on children's well-being and development, and what kinds of care are best — or worst?
