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

Tuffour, who contacted BBC Your Voice, says she feels the government has been doing more to support young families, but would like to see more policies to help pay for the cost of childcare.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Beyond retail jobs, Revelio found that other common roles for teens this summer included lifeguards, camp counselors, childcare providers, and servers.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

For a start, trusts don’t have the same cost-of-living challenges as people who pay for housing, food, transportation, education, childcare and other essentials.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

The party also promised to cap bus fares at £2 and expand childcare.

From BBC • May 19, 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