We carefully chose our words every day in our conversations, texts, and social posts. The wrong word can cause pain or confusion, but the right word, shaped by thoughtful semantics, can move people to change. I truly believe the words we use matter, and saying child care matters.
I’m not here to shame or guilt. I get why we call it daycare. For some, it’s endearing and feels safe. It rolls off the tongue, and in its most basic form, that’s what it is – care during the day. Frankly, I need daycare to support my family, but I want more for my children.
A Look to the Past
History has a way of shedding light onto the present. I have always found meaning in looking back. The term daycare is rooted in history. It became popular during WWII, when there was a massive need for women to enter the workforce. In response, the federal government passed the Lanham Act in 1943, the first universal child care program in the United States. However, the program was tied to wartime funding and ended shortly after WWII. Daycare was created as a short-term solution, but many women were eager to continue their work. Their entry into the workforce had brought a new sense of empowerment and independence, one that required infrastructure and sustained funding for daycare.
The Lanham Act had lasting effects on our child care system and women across America. While there has not been anything comparable to it since, congress did pass legislation in the 1950’s that established a child care tax deduction for low to moderate income families. The policy has seen much reform over the years but has ultimately led to what we have today – The Child Care Development Block Grant, which provides funding for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). Rosie the Riveter fought for daycare and laid a foundation for child care.
So, why Child Care? Why now?
Children deserve care that is safe and welcoming, where they are seen as little individuals. They deserve comfort when they are sad, angry, or scared, and space to explore their joys and curiosities. They deserve educated professionals who are passionate about child development and creating diverse, playful learning opportunities. While daycare may provide all of this, the word itself doesn’t fully reflect what matters most – the child.
At its core, Eric Bucher, chief executive officer of the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children, believes, “Child care is a public good. The phrase child care highlights what’s at the heart of our work — our community responsibility to care for every child” (Daycare – an outdated term that doesn’t reflect today’s child care). Early childhood professionals argue that the term “child care” emphasizes not only the importance placed on the child and their development but also helps professionalize the workforce.
Indiana’s current infrastructure of child care isn’t stable – costs are high, CCDF vouchers are waitlisted, high‑quality programs are closing, and the wages of child care professionals remain far from livable. Even now, Hoosier families are being forced to make difficult decisions about their employment and the quality of care for their children.
While it may seem trivial, saying child care matters. It shows an understanding and respect for the profession. It highlights the desire we all have for our children to have a space to be safe, grow, and learn. The term child care encourages everyone, including policymakers, to look beyond basic care to see programs that enhance our community, support our economy, and foster cognitive, social, and emotional growth of our children.
Our language won’t fix everything, but it can ignite compassion and point us toward systemic change. If we want a future where children are supported and their families thrive, we must start by naming the work in way that honors its professionals and its investment in our children.
