This book presents an overview of the health, education, and care services for young children in Australia in the past 100 years. The book explores how overseas developments, changing values, economic forces, and local conditions shaped and continue to shape the services provided for young children. Chapters in part 1 cover the late 1800s. Chapter 1 describes the prevailing social conditions and values, noting that at mid-century, Australia had large numbers of destitute and neglected children; by the century's end, services for young children became a matter of Christian compassion and national interest. Chapter 2 surveys the orphanages, industrial schools, boarding-out, creches, and infant homes available for children. Chapter 3 describes the important advances in health care for young children after 1875 due to understanding of the cause and transmission of disease. Chapter 4 surveys new approaches to infant teaching that arose in the 1880s. Chapters in part 2 cover the years 1900-1945. Chapter 5 explores the expansion of children's services in Australia, while chapter 6 examines legislative measures to protect infants and the type of care available to young children. Chapter 7 describes the infant health services and the school health services that became available in all states. Chapter 8 discusses approaches to infant and kindergarten care, including Froebelian, the Kindergarten Union, and Montessori method. Chapters in part 3 cover the period after 1945. Chapter 9 discusses postwar social conditions and changes that have affected children's services. Chapter 10 explains why by the 1980s most children requiring care were in foster care or small family group homes, outlines developments regarding adoption and foster care, and examines trends in non-residential child care. Chapter 11 discusses new advances and issues in curative and preventive health services. Chapter 12 surveys the spread of preschools from 1945 to 1970 and the development of early childhood education from 1970 to 1985. Chapter 13 evaluates progress made to date and identifies four trends likely to continue into the 1990s. A bibliography of approximately 250 items is included. (TM)