This handbook of practical guidelines for daily life in day care is addressed to caregivers, teachers, directors, and students who want to provide high quality care for children. Separate sections are devoted to (1) day care as a daily living experience; (2) the parent-caregiver relationship; (3) priorities for health and safety, staff communication and knowledge of children and their needs; (4) program elements of curriculum, materials, room arrangement, communications and daily schedules; and (5) specific aspects of safety, health and nutrition, as they relate to daily occurrences. Various types of parent-caregiver contact recommended include: daily, on-going communication; periodic individual-parent conferences; regularly scheduled group meetings; and occasional parent participation. The guidelines on program elements are elaborated in detail. (BF)