Childcare refers to the provision of care, guidance and supervision of children while their parents or guardians are away. Some common synonyms for childcare include babysitting, childminding, daycare, preschool, and early childhood education. Babysitting refers to the temporary care of a child while the parent is away, usually undertaken by a family member or hired sitter. Childminding is the professional care of children in someone's home or in a childminding facility. Daycare is a facility where children can be dropped off for care while their parents are at work. Preschool refers to a form of education for children before they enter primary school, while early childhood education is a comprehensive program designed to foster a child's social, emotional, and academic development.