latchkey

noun

1. A key, especially to an outside door.
2. (abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis)Ellipsis of latchkey kid.
3. (abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis)Ellipsis of latchkey program.

   “Latchkey is before and after school childcare for children who are in grades K-5.”

   “Latchkey is a before and after school, school-aged child care program designed to provide quality care and program activities for children in grades K-5.”

   “Latchkey is an elementary school-age childcare program that provides care and education for children of working parents. This program is designed to be a link between the home and the school.”

   “There is NO Latchkey on days when the schools are closed, including emergency or snow days. There is no Latchkey in the mornings only on DELAYED start days.”

4. (alt-of, uncountable)Alternative letter-case form of latchkey; especially when referring to a latchkey program.

adj

1. (not-comparable)Equipped with a key; generally in the phrase latchkey kid.
2. (not-comparable)Pertaining to unsupervised children in afterschool care contexts.

   “In fashionable Potomac, for instance, almost 50 percent of the nonparental care was latchkey.”

   “Be available as a "safety net" for the parents, especially if both parents work and/or the child is latchkey.”

   “When coded, it was found that 224 children were latchkey or bordering on latchkey status.”

verb

1. (transitive)To open something by means of a latchkey.