childcare

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "childcare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the care of children, especially when discussing the type of services or the setting for their care. Example: "Many parents rely on childcare centers to provide safe, engaging, and educational care while they work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An increase in free childcare for three- and four-year-olds, to 30 hours a week.

The Guardian

Instead, a hefty chunk of the increase in consumption in recent decades has been the result of higher housing prices, the rising cost of medical care, more spending on education, and childcare.

The Economist

Sandi Toksvig, who launched WEP last month, said her decision to leave the News Quiz for politics was because: "It's very interesting that most of the mainstream parties seem to treat women's issues as if we were a minority group rather than in fact what we are, which is the majority of the country … you get childcare talked about as if it was only a woman's issue".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"To get that, we need access to childcare as much as we need access to roads and rail".

The Guardian - Opinion

Longfield says childcare should also be considered like a long-term infrastructure project.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her argument was to question why it is acceptable to discuss spending billions on HS2 to create links and work opportunities, but not on childcare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: David Cameron promises to double free childcare and revive right to buy "Hang on a minute," Cameron should have said when presented with his speech.

The Guardian

Both have made promises of better healthcare and childcare, better transport at lower costs and more affordable housing – but they have not said how they will pay for it all.

The Guardian

The prime minister, Tony Abbott, referred to the 240,000 figure when announcing the government's childcare package, which includes scrapping the existing $7,500 cap on childcare payments for people earning up to $185,000, and removing all subsidies for families in which neither parent is working but earn more than $65,000.

The Guardian

"The survey work that's been done by the Department of Social Services suggests that some 240,000 families will work or work more as a result of these improvements to childcare," Abbott said on 10 May.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, childcare minister Liz Truss is keen to cut the numbers of staff in nursery classes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "childcare" when referring to the broader system or industry, but use more specific terms when describing individual services.

Common error

Avoid using "child's care" when you mean "childcare". "Child's care" refers to the care that a specific child receives, while "childcare" refers to the general service or system.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "childcare" is as a noun, referring to the service or system of caring for children. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct usage. It can function as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "childcare" is a noun that refers to the service or system of caring for children, especially while their parents are working. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and its frequency of use is very common, primarily in news and media, and formal business contexts. While the term itself is neutral, the conversation around it often involves discussions about government policies, affordability, and access. When writing about "childcare", be clear about the specific type of care you are discussing and avoid confusing it with "child's care". Consider alternative terms such as "daycare services" or "early childhood education" for more precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supervised childcare

Emphasizes the aspect of supervision and safety in childcare services.

daycare services

Focuses on the service aspect and the location where care is provided during the day.

child minding

A general term for supervising and caring for children, often in a home environment.

early childhood education

Emphasizes the educational component of caring for young children.

family day care

Refers to childcare provided in a caregiver's home, typically for a small group of children.

nanny services

Highlights the personalized care provided by a nanny in a home setting.

early learning

Highlights the focus on educational activities and development in a childcare setting.

babysitting

Refers to short-term or occasional childcare, typically provided by a teenager or young adult.

out-of-school care

Specifies childcare services provided before or after school hours.

creche facilities

Focuses on a specific type of childcare facility, often found in workplaces or public venues.

FAQs

How can I use "childcare" in a sentence?

You can use "childcare" to refer to the service of caring for children while their parents are working or unavailable. For instance, "The government provides subsidies to help families afford childcare."

What are some alternatives to the word "childcare"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "daycare services", "early childhood education", or "nanny services".

Is "childcare" one word or two?

"Childcare" is typically written as one word, especially in formal writing and official contexts.

What's the difference between "childcare" and "child minding"?

"Childcare" is a broader term encompassing all types of care for children, while "child minding" often refers to informal or occasional care, usually in a home setting.