Who Will Mind the Babies? A Public Policy Paper. Second Edition.

This restatement of policy, which updates a 1984 edition, offers a framework for thinking about issues in child care for infants and toddlers. The statement discusses: (1) the particular needs of infants and toddlers; (2) public policies supporting parents who remain at home to care for infants and toddlers; (3) professional recognition and training for caregivers; (4) the financing of adequate child care; and (5) policy-relevant research issues in caring for very young children. This edition shifts forward the first edition's time line of cited statistics and estimated trends, reflects increased policy options for assisting parents, expands the list of basic qualifications of caregivers, provides additional information about day care regulation and monitoring, and discusses the financing of infant and toddler care in terms of questions that concerned individuals should pose when considering day care proposals. (RH)