In 1992, the Council of European Community Member States adopted the Childcare Recommendation, describing the elements of effective childcare systems, to assist in the development of public policy to help parents reconcile work and family roles. This guide provides detailed suggestions for implementing these elements. Following an introduction summarizing the recommendation and the policy framework, chapter 1 of the guide describes the benefits of measures to help parents reconcile the demands and needs of family and professional life. Chapter 2 maintains that reconciliation needs may be addressed at a number of levels, including governments, workplaces, and individual child care services; suggests that national policies will be more effective if coordinated with other policy areas; and recommends that authorities use a three-stage approach to implement the recommendation. Chapter 3 concentrates on policy implementation and gives examples of good practice in four areas: (1) services providing care for children; (2) leave arrangements for employed parents; (3) environment, structure, and organization of work and the workplace; and (4) promoting and encouraging increased participation by men in child care. Chapter 4 discusses monitoring and evaluating policies and practices to determine if they meet the recommendations, and developing review procedures to indicate where further improvements are needed; this chapter also lists suggestions for evaluating childcare services, special leave, the workplace, and sharing of responsibilities. The guide's annexes include the full text of The Council Recommendation on Childcare; Commission policy on reconciliation-related law, structural funds and community initiatives; and a glossary of key concepts. (KB)