"All About Child Care: Trainee's Manual" provides a means for acquiring and demonstrating the knowledge and skills of an effective child care practitioner. The Manual is divided into 14 units with each unit built around a set of competencies. These sets of competencies correspond to the 13 functional areas described in the Child Development Associate Program Plan. The Manual can be used independently by students who want to proceed at their own rate, or can be used in conjunction with a child care course. Each unit of the Manual is a complete and independent learning area; students can begin their studies with any unit. Units consist of four components. Component I provides a statement of purpose, a rationale of the unit, and a set of objectives. Component II includes a pretest and a self-assessment of the student's skills. Component III states objectives and provides related explanatory materials, illustrations, and fill-in-the-blank sections that allow students to think about and expand on the materials they have read. Component IV presents assignments or tasks that provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate competency. (Author/RH)