1. A day-care center may look respectable. Parents assume a day-care center is safe and run well.

2. In some states, the training required to become a day-care worker is minimal. On-the-job supervision and evaluation of day-care workers are infrequent.

3. Restaurants are often fined or shut down for minor hygiene violations. Day-care centers are rarely fined or closed down for hygiene violations.

4. More and more mothers have entered the workforce. The need for quality day care has increased dramatically.

5. Naturally, day-care workers provide emotional support for children. Few day-care workers are trained to provide intellectual stimulation.