This paper presents a discussion of state and federal licensing and regulation of child care services. A hierarchy of the kinds of regulation is defined: (1) basic preventive/protective requirements (related to zoning, fire and safety, sanitation, and basic day care licensing); (2) administrative standards for publicly operated programs (equal to or better than basic private day care licensing requirements); (3) funding standards or fiscal regulation of publicly financed programs; (4) qualifications of the staff regulated by credentialing; and (5) standards of quality for model programs (accreditation). Some of the problems involved in establishing and administering these kinds of regulations are discussed. Consultation, technical assistance, education of the public, community organization, staff development, evaluation, and information centers are identified as nonregulatory ways of pursuing quality child care. (Consultation and information services are briefly discussed.) Some of the special problems involved in licensing family day care homes are explored, and a workshop sheet of questions pertinent to quality child care is provided. (ED)