The genesis of the seminar whose proceedings are reported here, lay in the concern felt and expressed by the Tamil Nadu Forum for Creche and Child Care Services about the situation of the young child under the pressure of the structural adjustment process of the Nineties in India. The Forum for Creche and Child Care Services (FORCES) is a loose network of organisations committed to advocacy and campaigning for young children (0-6) years of the poor and underprivileged in India. Launched in 1989, the members include women's groups, trade unions, child welfare organisations, educational and research institutions and several other agencies. The Tamil Nadu Forum (TN-FORCES) which now has 34 members, was formed early in 1992. During the year, Project ACCESS, which is the convenor of TN-FORCES, initiated the plan for this seminar.