A study of the legal and regulatory barriers to the expansion of family day care in New York State identified the following as primary barriers: a fragmented licensing system, multiple agency regulation, attempted regulation by municipalities through exclusionary zoning, and widespread provider noncompliance and lack of enforcement of the licensing law. The problem of obtaining liability insurance for family day care providers was also identified as a major practical barrier to the expansion of licensed family day care. This executive summary of the findings (1) defines family day care; (2) indicates why the State of New York has an acute shortage of family day care; (3) identifies the legal barriers to the expansion of family day care services; and (4) offers eight recommendations thought to be the basis for a rational and effective regulatory system. (RH)