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AAP News Vol. 13 No. 4 April 1997, p. 13 © 1997 American Academy of Pediatrics
Every day, millions of young children leave home to spend part or most of their day in some type of child care setting. In just 20 years, the percentage of children enrolled in child care has soared from 30 percent (1970) to 70 percent (1993). By the year 2000, 75 percent of women with children under age 5 will be employed and in need of child care. The Carnegie Corp. recently issued a sobering report stating that up to 80 percent of early care and education programs fail to meet high standards of quality. According to the report, one in eight child care centers actually threatens children's health and safety.
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