The Child Under Five in Canberra

An outline is given of the changing attitude of the Australian community towards its responsibility for the care of young children vis á vis the rights of the parents. Canberra's various provisions for the day care of the under‐fives is reviewed and the distinction is made between education facilities for the children and ‘child care’ for the benefit of the parents. Because there is no literature in the field of family day care—‘child minding’—a small survey was conducted. Data are presented covering the ages of the children, the composition of the minders' families, charges made, and the minders' and working mothers' attitudes towards the arrangements. In conclusion, some indication is given as to desirable standards for both day care and group care, and suggestions are made about areas for which community responsibility should be taken in the future.