Introduction: Since the first children's hospital departments in Croatia have been established at the beginning of the previous century, the hospital care for children has evolved significantly. It is known that psychological problems of the child as a patient in the hospital (as well as parents') can cause difficulties in the treatment and slow the pace of his/her recovery. In Croatia, the action named "For Children's Smile in the Hospital" eases the child's stay in the hospital. Since September 25th, 2009 children's hospital department in Sibenik carries the prestigious title "Friend of Children". Hypothesis: Parents of sick children treated at the Deparment of Pediatrics hospital in Sibenik have positive attitudes towards the quality of health care services. Objectives of the research: The general aims of this study were to determine parental perceptions of quality of care, identify problems encountered during the child's stay in hospital and shortcomings in the organization that affect the experience of parents. Examinees and methods: The study was conducted during a three months period through questionnaires devised for this study. 190 parents of hospitalized children took part in the study. Results: The need for a standardised and valid measuring instrument on a national scale has been noticed (as well as the need for tools that would gather information directly from young patients). There was 87.12% participation rate. 82% of mothers and 16% of fathers participated in the research. The average age of children is 6.342 years. The largest proportion of children is between ages 1-4 (33%). 115 respondents used the service of 24-hours-stay with a sick child. Parents reported very positive attitudes about "Friend of Children" hospital department (overall average score is 4.356 measured on a scale 1-5). The care of nurses received a very high average rating =4.503) as well as the care of doctors (=4.494 ). Conclusion: Results of this study confirm the hypothesis. Food, the possibility of playing games, parental involvement in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, communication and lack of health care personel have been identified as areas with the greatest possibility for improvement of the quality of health services.