Child care

Child care is the supervision and nurturing of children by parents, relatives, or paid caregivers. It may be provided at home or in organized settings while parents work, study, or meet other needs.

Day care: Regular supervision and care for children during the day, often in a group setting. It is a common organized arrangement for children whose parents work or study.
Attachment theory: A framework explaining how early relationships with caregivers shape bonds and expectations of care. Responsive child care can support secure relationships beyond the parent-child bond.
Maternal employment: Paid work undertaken by mothers, shaped in part by family responsibilities and available support. Reliable care can make paid employment more feasible for mothers.
Parental care: Care and supervision of children provided directly by their parents or guardians. It distinguishes care provided by parents from care delegated to others.
Family child care home: Child care provided in a caregiver’s residence, usually for a small group of children. It offers a home-based alternative to a child care center.
Early childhood development: The physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur from birth through early childhood. Care practices are shaped by children’s changing developmental needs.
Work–family balance: The management of demands from paid work and family life. Child care arrangements help determine how families coordinate work and caregiving.
Child care center: A facility that provides organized care for groups of children outside their homes. Center-based care differs from home-based arrangements in setting and organization.
Nanny: A paid caregiver employed to care for children, commonly in the family’s home. A nanny provides individualized care in the child’s household.
Caregiver–child interaction: The verbal and nonverbal exchanges through which caregivers respond to and guide children. These everyday exchanges are central to nurturing care.

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