The United States' persistent failure to implement a national, high-quality child care system is the central problem this book investigates. Edward Zigler, a key figure in child development policy since the 1970s, offers an insider's account of the policy-making processes and political battles that have shaped this ongoing debate. Drawing on decades of experience, the book details the historical trajectory of child care initiatives and the obstacles that have prevented their widespread adoption. It examines the complex interplay of political will, economic factors, and social attitudes that have contributed to the current landscape of child care in America.

This book is regarded as a critical historical account by a preeminent authority on child development policy. The author's deep involvement in the subject since the 1970s provides a unique, insider perspective on the decades-long struggle to establish comprehensive child care in the United States. The work is expected to offer a detailed analysis of the policy-making and political dynamics that have hindered progress. It serves as an important resource for understanding the historical context and persistent challenges in American child care.