childcare

Everyday

1. Looking after children, especially while their parents are at work. tree →
2. The places and services that do this: nurseries, childminders, day care centres, after-school clubs. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday adult life parents arrange childcare — grandparents, a nursery, a childminder or an after-school club — and it can cost a lot of money. In the news, governments talk about childcare costs and free hours. It tells the reader who looks after the children. Phrases: «childcare costs», «free childcare», «childcare worker».

Examples

• My little sister goes to childcare while Mum works. tree →
• Childcare can be very expensive for families. tree →
• Grandma helps with childcare on Fridays. tree →
• The after-school club offers childcare until six o'clock. tree →
• Some workplaces have childcare on site. tree →
• She is training to be a childcare worker. tree →
• The government promised more free childcare hours. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no «a», no plural («some childcare», «childcare is»). Written as one word in the UK, often two words (child care) in the USA. In Australia and the USA it is often called «day care».