Day care

Day care is the care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's parents or legal guardians, often someone outside the child's immediate family. Day care could be regarded as a specific type of babysitting; however, the two terms have somewhat different connotation. Whereas babysitting can refer to such care on an occasional basis, day care usually refers to a more permanent arrangement. For example, a child may spend a few days a week in day care while the parents work.

Day care is often provided to children from several families at the same time, in the home of the day care worker or in a specialized day care facility. Some employers provide day care for their employees at or near the place of employment.

Day care may consist of child care only, or for younger children may include some of the aspects of preschool.

Day care in the child's own home is traditionally provided by a nanny.