The complaint log maintained in the North Carolina Office of Child Day Care Licensing was a primary data source. Such data encompass essential information on the complaint, when and how the complaint was investigated, and investigative findings. All information in the complaint log was coded for July 1, 1982, through June 30, 1983. The study focused on those centers and homes with severe complaints. Study findings cover the complaint incidence rate, children's ages, complaint severity, response time, complaint severity by source, program size and complaint history, the involvement of the Department of Social Services, standards and monitoring, and investigative results. The study identified problems in day care regulation, and North Carolina enacted legislation in 1985 to ensure that abuse complaints are investigated quickly and thoroughly and that children in day care programs are protected from further harm. Among the study recommendations are an interstate information system that permits tracking all persons convicted of child abuse, clearly defined sanctions and remedial actions for programs where abuse has occurred, and a clear procedure for the timely disposition of substantiated abuse and neglect in day care programs. 14 references.