> The first several years of school is indeed childcare. Childcare mixed with education.

Yes. Former teacher here to tell you I cared about the children. :)

But seriously, in the United States teachers are considered "In loco parentis" which "refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_loco_parentis