This report of a 1974 conference on child care and public policy provides an overview of an attempt to establish a rational dialogue between public policymakers interested in the problems of child care and researchers who study the problems of child development. In Part I, a description of the historical context of issues relating to public concern about child care is presented. Possible models for effecting child care policy are discussed and emphasis is given to the development of the interactive model which is viewed as having good potential for uniting issues of child care and public policy. Part II consists of a summary of an extensive survey of federal programs assisting disadvantaged children from birth to age 9, which was used as a focus for further exploration by conference participants. The survey examines the importance of critical periods and early experience, interventions, prediction from childhood to adult characteristics and goals and standards of programs. Evaluations of early childhood intervention programs are discussed. Recommendations for child care program planning are advanced. Part III includes participants' critiques of the survey of federal programs, a brief summary of conference discussions, and a statement linking child care and public policy. (Author/RH)