Day care

Day care or child care is the care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family. Day care is typically an ongoing service during specific periods, such as the parents' time at work.

Description

The service is known as child care in the United Kingdom and Australia, crèche in Ireland and New Zealand, and child care or day care in North America (including the United States) and India. Child care is usually performed by a family care provider, a nursery, or a professional child care provider.

Types of Day Care

There are various types of day care, including:

• In-home care: This involves one caregiver providing care for a small number of children in a home setting. This can also include nannies or family day care.
• Nursery school: These are structured and regulated services providing care and education for children aged between three and five years old. They are often based in a school or linked to a school, and can be either privately or publicly funded.
• Pre-school: These are often a structured educational program for children in the years before they begin compulsory education at primary school.
• After-school care: This is care provided for school-age children, typically aged 5-13, after the school day has finished, often until the parents finish work.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Day care can provide a stimulating, nurturing environment where children can learn and develop. It can also provide socialization opportunities with peers. However, there can be drawbacks, such as high costs, and potential negative effects on the child's attachment to their primary caregiver.

See Also

• Child development
• Early childhood education
• Parenting

References

Day care Resources
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