childcare

American  

[chahyld-kair] / ˈtʃaɪldˌkɛər /

noun

1. the care or supervision of another's child, especially at a day-care center.

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adjective

1. Also child-care of, relating to, or providing childcare.

childcare British  

/ ˈtʃaɪldˌkɛə /

noun

1. care provided for children without homes (or with a seriously disturbed home life) by a local authority

2. care and supervision of children whose parents are working, provided by a childminder or local authority

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Etymology

Origin of childcare

First recorded in 1910–15; child + care

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

childcare

Her husband is a government contractor who travels often, which means childcare is always part of the equation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

In the last two years, 75 mothers have received childcare grants or, as Montaño describes, the “opportunity to be whole.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Like many parents, Heptinstall and her husband previously managed with a combination of organised childcare and annual leave to look after their older kids, who have now grown up and left home.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Meza, now married with two kids and living nearby, said her parents provide childcare four times a week.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

“If I could afford childcare for Boo. As it turns out, Celia can watch Boo. She can’t wait. And the days she works with Lou Ann, she’ll bring Boo along.”

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko