day nursery
/'dei,nə:sri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A facility that provides supervised care and activities for preschool-aged children during daytime hours, typically while their parents or guardians are at work or otherwise occupied.
Usage
A "day nursery" is a formal or institutional setting for early childhood care. It focuses on supervision, basic early learning, and play, rather than formal education.
Examples
- Noun:
- The company provides an on-site day nursery for its employees' children.
- She enrolled her three-year-old in a local day nursery while she attends university classes.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in British English and may be considered slightly formal or dated in some contexts, with "nursery school," "preschool," or "daycare (centre)" being more common contemporary alternatives in various dialects.
- It specifically implies care during standard working hours, distinguishing it from residential or overnight nurseries.
Variants and Related Words
- Nursery School (n): An educational establishment for children between three and five years old, often with a stronger emphasis on early learning than a basic day nursery.
- Daycare Center (n): A more general modern term for a facility providing daytime care for children.
- Crèche (n): A term used, particularly in British English, for a day nursery.
Synonyms
- Preschool
- Daycare (center)
- Nursery school
- Crèche
Notes on Meaning
The core meaning is consistent: a supervised daytime care facility for young children. It does not refer to a room for plants ("plant nursery") or a hospital ward for newborns ("hospital nursery").
Noun
- a nursery for the supervision of preschool children while the parents work