“Day care” is the term many people still use to refer to out-of-home care for children during the day while their parents are at work. Most child care and early education professionals no longer use the term “day care” because it describes only when they work, not the scope of their responsibilities.
The term “child care” is more inclusive. Child care can be provided in a child care center, in a family child care home, or by family, friends, or neighbors. Many parents need child care in the evening, at night, or early in the morning because of variations in their work schedules. The term “child care” includes all of these types of care.