The purpose of this brief is to provide a conceptual model for quality in home-based child care that can be used to inform state and local efforts in developing quality improvement initiatives that engage and sustain home-based child care participation. We developed this model to articulate a vision of quality that demonstrates how home-based child care can enhance outcomes for children, families, and providers. The model offers a foundation for improving professional development and quality improvement, building on the strengths and opportunities in home-based child care for facilitating children's development and providing family support. It also offers new directions for research and measurement strategies that examine home-based child care effectiveness. (author abstract)