Definition of day nursery

The term "day nursery" refers to a childcare facility that offers supervised care for children during the day, typically during working hours. The origin of the word can be traced back to the late 19th century in the United Kingdom, where there was a growing need for affordable care for working-class families whose mothers could not stay at home to look after their young children. In 1854, the first nursery school, known as the Cousin Committee's Nursery and Registration Society, was established in London to provide care and education for children under the age of three. Over the next few decades, similar facilities began to emerge, and they came to be known as "day nurseries." The term "day" was added to emphasize the fact that these nurseries provided care during the daytime, as opposed to traditional boarding or residential schools, which were common at the time. The word "nursery" was chosen because it was associated with the care and education of young children, as well as the historical tradition of "nursery rhymes" and fairy tales, which were often used to entertain and educate young children in the home. Over time, the popularity of day nurseries grew, and they became an important part of the social fabric of many communities, helping to support working families and providing a safe and nurturing environment for young children. Today, day nurseries can be found in cities around the world, providing a range of services from basic childcare to education and educational enrichment programs for young children.