Childcare workers look after children whose parents work outside their homes or cannot be with them for some reason. Job duties vary depending on the age of the children. Infants must be fed, diapered, calmed, and played with. Preschool children must also be given this basic care plus activities that will stimulate them physically, emotionally, and socially.
Childcare workers begin their workdays by greeting children at the door and helping them take off coats, hats, and mittens. They plan activities that will provide both physical and mental exercise such as outdoor and indoor games, drawing and coloring, singing, and reading.
Childcare workers are also responsible for the child's physical welfare. They provide healthy meals and snacks and make sure that the children have appropriate rest time.
Childcare workers may be employed by a daycare center, or they may be self-employed and work in their own homes.
Places of employment and working conditions
Childcare workers may work in their homes, churches, schools, workplaces where employers provide care for employees' children, or buildings used for childcare.
Childcare workers have an active and hectic day. They often have to work long hours to accommodate parents' work schedules. The job can be physically tiring-workers spend a lot of time standing, walking, bending, stooping, and lifting. Sometimes children can be difficult to deal with, and childcare workers must provide firm discipline.
Qualifications, education, and training
Childcare workers must enjoy working with children. They need to be patient and have a lot of energy.
There are no specific education requirements for entry-level positions or for childcare workers who are self-employed. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.
Some jobs do require some type of education. Colleges offer degree programs in childcare, early childhood education, child and family studies, and pre-elementary education.
One valuable credential for childcare workers is certification from the Child Development Associate (CDA) program. Participants must be at least 18 years old and have some childcare experience and formal classroom training. Instructors help workers improve their childcare skills, assess their abilities and performance, and determine whether they qualify for certification. The program is offered in local schools and colleges.
Potential and advancement
There are 670,000 childcare workers, and many of them work part-time. Opportunities are expected to be good. Even though the number of children under the age of five is expected to decrease, the number of children who need daycare will increase because of the many women who work outside their homes.
Childcare workers may advance as they gain experience and additional training. In large childcare centers, they may become supervisors or administrators. Some childcare workers advance by starting their own businesses.
Income
Median annual earnings for full-time childcare workers are $9,724. Many entry-level workers are paid minimum wage-$4.25 an hour.
Additional sources of information
CDA National Credentialing Program, 500 Washington, DC 20009
National Child Care Association, Washington, DC 20037
