The state of preschool education and day care (educare) in South Africa is summarized in this report. The first of five parts quotes relevant national and provincial laws that apply to preschool education in South Africa. The second part outlines the national government's preschool education policies, as set forth in the 1983 White Paper on the Provision of Education in South Africa, as well as specific national and provincial policies that apply to White, Colored, Indian, and Black preschool education. The third part summarizes national and provincial policies and standards that apply to day care for White, Colored, Indian, and Black children. The fourth and fifth parts outline educare policies and standards in the Black homelands of Bophuthatswana and Swaziland. (MDM)