Childcare Glossary

Center-Based Care

Childcare provided in a licensed facility (daycare center) rather than in a home setting.

Drop-In Care

Hourly or short-term childcare available on demand without an ongoing enrollment commitment.

Family-Based Care

Childcare provided in a caregiver's home, also called family daycare or family child care (FCC).

Nanny Care

In-home childcare provided by a caregiver employed directly by the family in the family's own home.

Wraparound Care

Before-school, after-school, and summer care that extends a partial-day program (like half-day pre-K) into full working-parent hours.

Infant Care

Childcare for children from birth to approximately 12 months old.

Preschool Care

Childcare and early education for children ages 3 to 5, before kindergarten enrollment.

School-Age Care

Before- and after-school care programs, plus summer and school-break care, for children ages 5 to 12.

Toddler Care

Childcare for children approximately 12 to 36 months old, spanning the toddler and young-toddler developmental stages.

Childcare Burden Index

The percentage of a household's median income consumed by annual childcare costs for one child.

Cost of Care vs. Tuition

The gap between the true cost of providing quality childcare and the tuition that families are able to pay.

Income Eligibility Threshold

The maximum family income at which a family can qualify for a given childcare subsidy or free program.

Median Household Income

The middle value of all household incomes in a geographic area, meaning half earn more and half earn less.

Parent Co-Payment

The portion of childcare cost paid out-of-pocket by families receiving subsidized care, scaled to income.

Provider Reimbursement Rate

The maximum amount the state pays childcare providers for subsidized children under CCDF and related programs.

Sliding Fee Scale

A tiered pricing or co-payment structure that scales cost based on family income and family size.

Subsidy Cliff

The sudden loss of childcare subsidy benefits when a family's income rises above the eligibility threshold.

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

A federal tax credit offsetting a percentage of childcare expenses for working parents, worth up to $1,050 for one child or $2,100 for two or more.

Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

The primary federal funding source for childcare subsidies for low-income working families.

Childcare Desert

An area with insufficient licensed childcare supply relative to the number of children who need care.

Dependent Care FSA

A tax-advantaged account allowing employees to set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax per year for eligible childcare expenses.

Early Intervention

Federally funded developmental services for infants and toddlers (birth to 3) with disabilities or developmental delays.

Family Child Care Network

A shared-services organization that supports independent family child care providers with training, business services, and substitute teachers.

Head Start

A federally funded program providing free early childhood education, health, and nutrition services to low-income children ages 3-5.

Licensed Capacity

The maximum number of children a childcare provider is legally permitted to serve at one time under state licensing.

TANF Childcare Assistance

Childcare assistance funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants, used primarily to support work requirements.

Universal Pre-K

A publicly funded pre-kindergarten program open to all 4-year-olds (and sometimes 3-year-olds) regardless of family income.

Child Development Associate (CDA)

A nationally recognized early childhood education credential administered by the Council for Professional Recognition.

NAEYC Accreditation

Voluntary national accreditation for early childhood programs administered by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

A state-level framework that rates childcare providers on quality standards and supports continuous improvement.

Staff-to-Child Ratio

The required number of caregivers per group of children, varying by age group and state licensing rules.