nursery

Nursery is a term with several related meanings. In households, a nursery refers to a room or dedicated space for the care of infants and very young children, typically equipped with a crib, changing table, and storage for clothes and supplies. In many countries, the term also designates a childcare facility or preschool that provides early childhood education and supervision for children who are not yet of formal school age. In horticulture, a nursery is a place where young plants are propagated, grown, and sold, often including specialized facilities to regulate temperature, light, and humidity.

Childcare nurseries emphasize safety, routine, and developmentally appropriate activities, and are usually subject to licensing, staff-to-child ratios, and background checks. Plant nurseries supply garden centers, landscapers, and home gardeners, offering seedlings, cuttings, grafted stock, and sometimes mature plants. They frequently operate greenhouses, shade houses, and outdoor growing beds, with equipment for irrigation, fertilization, pest management, and pruning. Some nurseries provide educational resources and advice to customers on plant selection and care.

Historically, the concept of a nursery as a place for nurture has long existed across cultures, with formalized plant nurseries becoming prevalent with advances in horticulture and agriculture. The word 'nursery' is rooted in the notion of nourishment and care.