This title was first published in 2002. The field of child and youth care is under increasing pressure to optimize its mission: to deliver high quality support and to help children, parents and families in need of care. Two questions have arisen in many countries in the face of this pressure: the professional quality of childcare and the participant quality of childcare. These issues have traditionally been discussed separately; this unique book brings them together for an enlightening discussion. Examining the possible antagonism of childcare workers operating as professionals and clients participating as fully engaged partners, the book brings to light a new vision on developments and research in the field and informs the reader on recent findings. The expertise of the contributors makes this a truly valuable read for practitioners, policy makers, researchers and students in the field of child and youth care.