The term day care is the American name for childcare. Day care also refers to care of the child by someone other than the parents or someone from the child's immediate family. Children, till the age of three or before they begin to go to school, require supervision and are dependent on adults for their daily needs.

The difference between childcare and day care is actually only a choice of words that has become popular in certain countries. While the term childcare is commonly used in the United Kingdom and Australia, the Americans prefer to use the term Daycare for childcare. Childcare or day care is generally provided in cr?ches or nurseries where parents drop their kids before they leave for work. Most of these cr?ches are run in homes, which makes it convenient for the childcare professional and is good for the child since it provides a home away from home.

Many parents find these childcare facilities very useful for their children as they provide a more formal structure that includes education, child development, discipline and even pre-schooling. This concept of day care has become so beneficial that many employers have also started making provisions for day care facilities within the office premises or near the place of employment. This is known to have improved the efficiency of the employees who do not have to worry about their kids while at work.

Growing Industry

Day care industry is so much in demand, thanks to the growing number of two-income households that many people are starting day care centers and making huge profits as well. It is good news for the parents who get ample choice to pick the day care center that meets all their requirements.

There is a definitive need for day care centers, as more and more mothers are keen in pursuing their careers which requires their presence outside their home onsite and sometimes travel on business. Research studies reveal that in the United States, the ?child care worker? is the fifth most female-dominated population.

There are essentially two types of day care centers ? for-profit day care centers run for commercial purposes and non-profit day care centers that are largely sponsored by the Government. The non-profit day care centers enjoy numerous benefits such as preferential rent as they are operated with a social interest.

Nonetheless, the home day care centers are most common. They are generally operated by a single individual or a small family and are run out of the homes of the owners. Many stay-at-home parents find this concept very convenient as they can earn an additional income while taking care of their own child.

Day care and Child Development

Contrary to popular opinion, day care centers actually benefit the child in many ways. The child learns to interact with other children, and since these centers are run professionally they have well organized programs and impart structured training. Good day care provides different experiences thereby developing the child into a multi-faceted personality. Thus, other than the guilt many parents feel that they are not doing enough for their children the day care centers help their children to cope with their peers, and to build good rapport within a group.

Good day care is not opposed to good parenting but can complement it to develop the child into a well-rounded individual.