Daycare
In short
Daycare is the professional care and supervision of children by people other than their parents. It typically serves children from three months old up to about 12 years of age.
In plain words
It is a service where parents leave their children with trained caregivers while they work or attend to other tasks. This can happen in specialised centres or through individual babysitters.
A simple example
A working parent drops their toddler off at a local nursery every morning at 8:00 am. The child stays there under professional supervision until the parent returns in the evening.
Why it matters
It allows parents to participate in the workforce and provides children with social interaction and early learning opportunities. It is a vital part of modern social and economic structures.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse daycare with homeschooling, where the child is educated at home by a parent or tutor.