The feasibility of paediatric day-case tonsillectomy (PDCT) depends on its safety and acceptance by parents and patients. The purpose of our retrospective study of paediatric day-case tonsillectomy was to review the role of the home care team (HCT) in improving the safety and acceptance of the procedure. Between January 1997 and June 1999, 352 consecutive children underwent day-case tonsillectomy. The notes and HCT assessment sheets were reviewed for telephone calls made by HCT or by parents, home visit by HCT, types of complication and their outcome. The primary haemorrhage rate was 0.6 per cent. The effective day-case rate was 97 per cent. The unplanned admission rate was three per cent. The HCT visited about 25 per cent of patients at home. We conclude that paediatric day-case tonsillectomy is associated with high morbidity and considerable parental anxiety that can be dealt with by timely reassurance, support and advice by a dedicated HCT.