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Despite emerging evidence of the contributors to high-quality family day care, a comprehensive comparison of international family day care systems has not been undertaken. The aim of this paper is to compare regulated family day care (FDC) in Australia, Canada, England and Wales, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, and the USA, using standard information about FDC usage and each country's structural characteristics, regulatory approach, quality assurance indicators, supervision and support, and sector challenges. A template was developed by representatives of the International Family Day Care Organisation, including academics, FDC providers, and FDC educators and management staff. The paper demonstrates that, although the existing body of published research is sufficient to provide clear guidance for developing and maintaining quality FDC, this knowledge is not always being applied in current practices. Three practices, each pertaining to several countries, are of concern: (a) minimal requirements for being a regulated FDC provider, (b) minimal quality assurance guidelines, and (c) minimal provider supports. There is great potential to learn from countries that have a high level of success in providing high-quality FDC and strong support for providers and families. (Contains 6 tables.)

in the area of young people and participation, it is sometimes assumed that more is better; however, after many years of experience working with and researching refugee youth, Jen Couch has observed that refugee young people may be placed at risk if participatory programs are ill-conceived and underresearched. She reminds the reader that participation must not be considered an 'ideological absolute' but rather a useful tool for empowering young people and improving their self-esteem. if programs involve families and the wider community, there is a greater chance that everybody will be able to successfully negotiate and accept the changes that participation will make to young people's lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]