The federal Model Child Care Standards Act of 1985: Step in the right direction or hollow gesture?

Child care quality has resurfaced as an important policy issue, buttressed by demographic data, increased knowledge about the current status of child care programs, and recent allegations of sexual abuse in child care settings. This article evaluates the likely effectiveness of the Reagan administration's major response--the 1985 Model Child Care Standards Act--in assuring that children receive quality care in their early years.