This book of case studies highlights 26 municipalities involved in activities related to child care. Cities selected were of different sizes; were located in different parts of the country; and used diverse approaches for developing ways to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care. Each case study was developed through a telephone interview with the person responsible for municipal child care. Topics of interviews included the history and current status of the municipal child care coordinator or office of child care, the role played by municipal child care task forces in the development of municipal involvement in child care, the current level of municipal activity in matters related to child care, the political climate for child care, and the prospects for further developments in child care services and policy. The book includes highlights of some of the cities' profiles, descriptions of ten lessons for city officials which were revealed from the survey, a list of municipal child care activities reported in the study, and a list of references.(RJC)