The major form of care for children when parents is provided by family members, friends, or neighbors. This is especially true for children from low-income households. As policy makers have become aware of the importance of learning in the early years, attention has focused on how to support these caregivers and thus increase positive outcomes for children. This literature review begins with a description of what is known about this form of care. The author reports on strategies commonly used and describes evaluation programs designed to improve quality in the care provided by family, friends, and neighbors.

The Executive Summary captures what is known about family, friend, and neighbor care, the major strategies used to support and enhance the quality of care, and an introduction on how to assess the evidence of effectiveness.