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Questionnaires completed _by 226_child care providers in licensed child care centers in Salt Lake City, Utah; Eugene, Oregon; and_Boise, Idaho were used to develop a demographic profile of current child careproviders in the three states. The instrument assessed dimenticins of professionalism in the day-to-day activities of child caregivers. Findings indicated that a demographic profile created by a-cross-sectional sample of child-care proViders differed-markedly from a profile-created by a sample based on professional affiliation. Statistical analyses indicated that level of education-significantly affected caregivers ' sense of the extent of their knowledge about aspects of their work. Data further indicated that theinteraction of education and length of employment as a caregiver significantly affected orientation to community. Only one-third of the workers had a degree-at the baccalaureate or a higher level. Most did not belong to a professional organization. Less than half read professional journals. Discussion of findings focusses on the professional status of child care. Recommendations for enhancing the professional status of the field are offered. Over 50 references are cited. Related materials, such as the questionnaire, data collection protocolu and other data collection forms, are-provided in 13 appendices. (RH) Reproductions- supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made froth the original document