The information contained in this report was compiled by The Children's Foundation in fall 1995 and reflects data provided by the regulatory offices in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The study is organized in alphabetical order of the states and territories. The requirements, regulations, and policies pertaining to child day care centers in each are divided into 26 categories: definition and number of regulated programs, requirements, regulations, unannounced inspection policy, complaint procedure, staff qualifications, staff prescreening, staff training, child documentation policy, child immunization policy, discipline policy, emergency medical consent policy, environmental policy, smoking policy, swimming pool policy, transportation policy, infant care programs, overnight care programs, school age programs, sick child care programs, subsidized child care programs, programs for children with disabilities, national life safety fire code, child abuse and neglect, local contact, and pending legislation. The 1996 study shows only a slight increase from 1995 in the number of regulated centers nationwide. A question and answer summary reflects the questions asked most often. Included also are a definition of terms and a list of all the regulatory offices for each state or territory. (DR)