Observers caution, however, that day care itself is no panacea. The wages of child care providers are now so low that, in fact, this work may not contribute to women's economic independence. However, after looking at dozens, she chose Childspace, partly because of the low turnover. Teachers tend to stay at the school. Last year a new worker cooperative, the Magic Years, opened in Richmond, Calif., and another is slated to open in Denver.
Discussions are currently under way in several other cities, including New York.