Early Childcare

Childcare refers to any form of nonparental care that occurs on a regular basis for children under the age of 6 years. Childcare types are classified as center care, nonrelative family day care, and relative care. A center refers to a group setting designed for the care of young children. It includes programs designed primarily for enrichment or early education (i.e., Head Start, preschools) as well as settings primarily to provide care while parents are working. A childcare center must be licensed, and therefore, it is subject to regulations regarding physical safety and teacher–child ratios. Center care usually has rigid hours and schedules, and it is the most expensive one for parents unless subsidized by public funds. Nonrelative family day care can occur in the ...