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 centers are known in British English as crèches.
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. Additionally, babysitting is often provided by amateurs (for example, parents might hire a local teenager for babysitting, while hiring the same individual to provide day care would be much rarer, though not unheard of.
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.
Daycare Bear is quickly becoming the main meeting place between parents and childcare providers (daycare centers, pre-schools, home and familydaycares, babysitters...).
Non-profit daycare center: Childcare provided by a charity or non-profit organization in a specific facility.
Do not hesitate to refer to this article to help you choose a daycare provider, know which questions to ask, have an idea of what to look for...
Most daycare centers are equipped with a responsible staff and safe environment; however, the ratio of children to adults makes it difficult for each child to receive the attention they would get at home.
Daycare centers serve only healthy food at meal and snack time, which will allow parents to be worry free about their child’s diet.
Daycare centers provide many benefits for children and families, however if a day care does not follow these guidelines it can be extremely harmful to a child.