Childcare Glossary
35+ industry terms explained for childcare providers and directors. From federal programs and licensing requirements to classroom management and billing.
Accreditation
Voluntary quality recognition from an organization like NAEYC that goes beyond minimum state licensing standards.
Attendance Tracking
Recording children's daily attendance at a childcare facility, required for licensing, billing, and CACFP claims.
Authorized Pickup
A person approved by parents or guardians to pick up a child from a childcare facility, required by licensing for safety.
CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)
A federal USDA program that provides meal reimbursement to childcare providers who serve nutritious meals and snacks.
CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund)
A federal block grant that funds childcare subsidies for low-income families, administered by states and territories.
CCR&R (Child Care Resource and Referral)
Local agencies that help families find childcare and support providers with training, technical assistance, and resources.
Center-Based Care
Childcare provided in a commercial facility (not a home), subject to more stringent licensing requirements than home-based care.
Check-In / Check-Out
The process of recording when a child arrives at and departs from a childcare facility, used for attendance tracking and safety.
Childcare Management Software
A digital platform for running a childcare center, covering attendance, billing, parent communication, enrollment, and compliance.
Daily Report
A summary of a child's day sent to parents, including meals, naps, activities, diaper changes, and milestones.
DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice)
A teaching approach grounded in child development research, promoting learning experiences matched to each child's age, abilities, and interests. Defined by NAEYC.
Developmental Milestones
Skills or behaviors that most children can demonstrate by a certain age, used to track development and identify potential delays.
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
A legal document for children ages 3-21 with disabilities in the K-12 system, outlining specialized instruction and services.
IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)
An early intervention plan for children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities, focused on family-centered support.
Incident Report
Written documentation of an injury, illness, or behavioral event at a childcare facility, required by state licensing regulations.
Infant Care
Childcare for children from birth to 12 months, requiring the lowest staff-to-child ratios, typically 1:3 or 1:4.
Parent Communication
Methods childcare providers use to share information with families, including messaging, daily reports, photos, and announcements.
Pre-K (Pre-Kindergarten)
An education program for children typically ages 3-5, before kindergarten entry, offered through public schools or private programs.
Preschool
An educational program for children ages 3-5 that focuses on school readiness through play-based or structured learning experiences.
School-Age Care
Before-school, after-school, and summer programs for children ages 5-12, also called out-of-school-time (OST) care.
Staff-to-Child Ratio
The required number of adults per group of children in a childcare setting, varying by state and age group.
Subsidy
Government financial assistance that helps low-income families pay for childcare, primarily funded through the CCDF program.
See these concepts in action
Neztio handles attendance, billing, CACFP tracking, parent communication, and more, all in one platform.