What Is Daycare? Types, Ages, and How It Works
By First Cubby Editorial · Updated 2026-07-04
Daycare (child care) is supervised care for children — from infants through preschool age — while parents work, usually full-day and year-round. The three main types are daycare centers, home/family daycares, and in-home care (a nanny or sitter).
The main types of daycare
- Daycare center — a licensed facility with multiple classrooms by age; more staff and structure.
- Home / family daycare — run from a caregiver’s home, smaller, often mixed-age and lower-cost.
- In-home care — a nanny or sitter in your own home; the most flexible and usually the priciest.
What ages, and how it differs from preschool
Daycare spans infancy to preschool age; preschool is the early-learning step for ages 3–5. See the full breakdown in preschool vs. daycare vs. pre-K.
Choosing and using daycare
Dig into the essentials: is daycare good for your child, how to choose one, what it costs, how to prepare your child, and what to pack.
Frequently asked questions
What is daycare?
Daycare (child care) is supervised care for children — from infants through preschool age — while parents work, usually full-day and year-round.
What are the types of daycare?
The three main types are daycare centers, home or family daycares (run from a caregiver’s home), and in-home care such as a nanny or sitter.
What age can a child go to daycare?
Many daycares take infants as young as 6 weeks, up through preschool age. The youngest rooms need the most staff, so infant care costs the most.
What’s the difference between daycare and preschool?
Daycare emphasizes care (often full-day, year-round); preschool emphasizes early learning (ages 3–5, often part-day). Many programs blend both.
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