The theme of this issue of Family Matters is family law in its widest sense.

The director's report comments on the announcement of two recent government reviews of children's services in Australia and proposes that it is important that they are informed by extensive debate about the kind of service that will best serve the needs and interests of the principal stakeholders in Australian child care, the children and their families, as well as society at large. The author identifies a number of issues that should be considered in the planing of a quality child care service which is fit for its purpose of sharing in the parenting of the nation's children. It will require, among other things, to be staffed by professional personnel.