This handbook clarifies the responsibility, role and functions of the day care consultant. A chapter on the philosophy of day care is intended to stimulate thoughtful consideration of how existing patterns of day care affect children, parents, and the family. A variety of methods and strategies for translating day care philosophy into practice are described. The tools needed by the day care consultant are knowledge, communication skills, relationship skills, constructive use of authority, and skills of diagnosis and problem solving. A final chapter on training discusses conferences and institutes, workshops, and inservice training. This booklet was written primarily for day care consultants, but it should also be helpful to boards of directors and planning committees in communities where skilled consultants are not readily available. (NH)