Family day care or childminding plays a significant role in the provision of childcare in many countries, but is facing new challenges. Bringing together theory, research and knowledge from practice, this topical book presents a variety of informative perspectives on this important service.

Preface. 1. Across the Spectrum: An Introduction to Family Day Care Internationally. June Statham and Ann Mooney, Thomas Coram Research Unit, London. Part 1. Policy and Organisation. 1. Across the Spectrum: An Introduction to Family Day Care Internationally. June Statham and Ann Mooney, Thomas Coram Research Unit, London. 2. Home-like? Some Unique features of the Emerging Family Day Care Provision in Hungary. Marta Korintus, National Institute for Family and Social Policy, Budapest. 3. Carving out a niche? The Work of Tagesmutter in the New Germany. Ulrike Gelder, School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. 4. Family Day Care in New Zealand: Training, Quality and Professional Status. Elizabeth Everiss, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, and Carmen Dalli, Victoria University of Wellington. 5. The Development of Childminding Networks in Britain: Sharing the Caring: Sue Owen, National Children's Bureau, UK. 6. Family Day Care in Israel: Policy, Quality and the Daily Experiences of Children. Miriam K. Rosenthal, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Part 2. Understandings of Family Care. 7. What it Means to be a Childminder: Work or Love? Ann Mooney, Thomas Coram Research Unit, London. 8. Agency and Ethics: Family Day Care Providers' Perspectives on Quality. Irene Kyle, independent researcher, Canada. 9. The Everyday Life of Children in Family Day Care as Seen by the Carers. Malene Karlsson, Family Day Care Expert, Sweden. 10. Family Day Care in France, Liane Mozere, University of Metz. Part 3. Carers and Parents. 11. Provider and Parent Perspectives of Family Day Care for `Children in Need': A Third Party Inbetween. June Statham, Thomas Coram Research Unit, London. 12. Partnership with Providers? Why Parents from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds Choose Family Day Care. Sarah Wise and Ann Sanson, Australian Institute of Family Studies. 13. Setting Child Care Standards with Respect for Cultural Differences. Who Says What is Quality? Kathy Modigliani, Family Child Care Project, Arlington, Massachusetts. 14. Conclusion: Whither Family Day Care? Peter Moss, Thomas Coram Research Unit, London. References. Index.

The authors aim to encourage readers to reflect on their own practice, and there is plenty here to raise important questions, and hopefully simulate debate, for policy makers, researchers and service providers.