Day Care Worker Job Description, Career as a Day Care Worker, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job

children workers centers school

Education and Training High school and on-the-job training

Salary Average—$9.76 per hour

Employment Outlook Very good

Definition and Nature of the Work

Workers in day care centers help preschool children in their educational and personal growth. Under a director's supervision, they provide all the necessary primary care for infants and independent and group activities for toddlers and older children. Through games and exercises, they help children develop self-esteem, curiosity, imagination, physical skills, and speech. Workers also oversee the children's health and nutrition, sometimes having the children participate in the preparation of breakfast and lunch.

Some day care centers are nonprofit organizations operated or subsidized by community or government agencies, while others are privately owned. Many corporations run day care centers for the children of their employees. Children's parents may assist staff members.

Education and Training Requirements

Day care workers must have high school diplomas and know how to make children feel secure. Some form of on-the-job training is usually required. Many workers enroll in formal programs that include courses in education, nutrition, psychology, and speech. Some two-year colleges offer associate's degrees in preschool or early childhood education.

Workers interested in advancement to administrative positions need bachelor's degrees. Some centers require teaching certification for higher-level positions.

Getting the Job

Job seekers can apply directly to day care centers. State departments of education often have information about state-run centers. School placement offices, newspaper classified ads, and job banks on the Internet are other sources of employment information.

Day care workers tend to the needs of preschool children at a day care center. They use a variety of games and exercises to aid a child's growth. (© Jacques M. Chenet/Corbis.)

Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook

Day care workers usually start as staff assistants. After a period of training, they take responsibility for the care of a group of children. With extensive experience, they may advance to supervisor. Workers with college degrees in early childhood development or related fields may start at positions with more responsibility.

The job outlook is very good through 2014. Turnover in the field is high. In addition, increases in the number of children under age five and in the number of women of childbearing age entering the labor force are expected over the next decade, creating a demand for day care.

Working Conditions

Many day care centers are open twelve hours each day, with staff working eight-hour shifts. Usually a worker is in charge of a group of six to twelve children. Some centers are in modern buildings specially designed for day care, while others are in remodeled homes or older buildings. Some are on the premises of factories or corporations where the children's parents are employed.

Where to Go for More Information

National Association for the Education of Young Children
1313 L St. NW, Ste. 500
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 424-2460
http://www.naeyc.org

National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies
3101 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 350
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 341-4100
http://www.naccrra.org

National Child Care Association
2025 M St. NW, Ste. 800
Washington, DC 20036-3309
(800) 543-7161
http://www.nccanet.org

Earnings and Benefits

Earnings and benefits of day care workers vary according to education, experience, and the type of day care center. In 2004 the average wage was $9.76 per hour. Benefits ranged from minimal to average when compared with other professions.

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User Comments

over 1 year ago

I would like to work in a daycare but i dont have any working experience, where do i go to get the experience needed to work in a daycare until i finish going to school?

7 months ago

i want to start my own day care facility but im not sure where to start. can anyone help me out?

over 1 year ago

what kind of classes do u need to take at highschool to become a child care worker?

5 months ago

Anissa

hii i would like to kno ,more about dsay care

12 months ago

kelsey

i would love to be working at a daycare but i dont know ow to.. can u help me

about 1 year ago

Nikki

My name is Nikki, I'm 14 and I've been interested in childcare (specifically daycare) all my life.

But I don't know what kind of an education I would need, I'm finishing High School currently, but am confused on what I need to do to become a daycare worker.

If anyone who reads this can help me, I'd greatly appreciate it.

8 months ago

laverne

i am a wife and mother of three.i want to start a daycare centre. i have all the resources, but i dont have any certicates to show for such. i am thinking about hireing qualified workers while i manage the business .let me know if you think its a good idea

12 months ago

i would love to be a daycare worker but i cant yet because im still in school i also love kids

almost 4 years ago

I am 15. I want to work in this field, but I'm not sure where to start. Help?

5 months ago

leslie .g.

Hi. right now i am 14 but when i get old enough I would like to start a daycare business or I would like to be a daycare worker . but my problem is that I just don't know what to do to get started . thanks .

about 1 year ago

i love working with all children i have 3 children my self and i also work a school cooking for children can you please help me out i am a single person and i need a better job and daycare is the one for me that is my dream to be.

over 1 year ago

Im 17 terning 18 january 6.I want to work in this feild but i dont know were to start i want to have a job in a daycare center but i dont know if i can (HELP!)

almost 2 years ago

Hello there,
I am a 17 year old named Ariel(will be 18 in November). I go to Miami Valley Career Technology Center for Early Childhood Education where I am a Junior. I really would like to find a job in this field. I've done a lot of baby sitting. and i am red cross certificated, in babysitting care and CPR. I live in Huber Heights, Ohio.

Can someone please help me find a job?

almost 2 years ago

Mike

Wanted to address some of the questions from young people. I am a Center Director. Becky, I commend you. There are different routes to starting daycare centers that depend a lot on the state you're in. In my state, and probably in TX, centers must be licensed. They are inspected by a regulatory agency that sets up rules for them. It can be overwhelming to learn all of the rules, but as you start reading, you find that they are a helpful guide to show you what steps to take. Since you want to be the founder, you will probably want to be the Director. You may study Child Development, which usually falls under a sort of catch-all "Family and Consumer Sciences" program, or you may study Education, with an emphasis on Special Ed. Talk to your academic advisor when you start school for guidance on this, then set appointments in the schools of FCS and Education. If you can find a mentor in your area that person will be an amazing help to you. When you're looking at start-up, know that daycares are rarely profitable, due to the high cost of providing quality care. I would recommend the non-profit route, bc you'll be eligible for grants, state funding, and tax exemptions that for-profit programs can't get. (I've worked both). This is going to be a really exciting venture. Good luck!

Those with questions on training, YES, you need it. Think of the awesome responsibility of planning meaningful learning opportunities for young children at the most impressionable stages of their lives! These kids can learn so many things, and the experiences they have now will affect their learning and their success for the rest of their lives. If you want to be a child care provider, you should have a commitment to educational excellence. You should go out and learn as much as you can (Yes, it's okay to have a GED instead of a diploma, but you should still go to college). Those of you taking classes now, great job! Keep learning, and let's keep advocating for high program standards for our kids, and recognition that child care workers are professionals with one of the biggest responsibilities in any career. This is how we work for higher pay and benefits across the field.

about 3 years ago

I am 17, 18 in august 2009, and im wanting to work in this field, isn't just a ged okay for working in this field?

And, do you really need on-the-job-training??

Thanks for your time.

5 months ago

bridgett

hi im bridgettt i love working with kids TOLDERS.INFANTS.I JUST LOVE KIDS CAUSE IM A GOOD PERSON AND IF U WANT THIS JOB U HAVE TO HAVE PATIENTS CAUSE THEY ARE KIDS THEY DNT UNDERSTAND WHAT YHEY ARE DOING SO JUST GIVE IT A TRY AND EXPERINCE IT

3 months ago

Nicole

hi i'm Nicole i love children and they most of time like me. i'm 13 but going in to Appleton East High School so i want to know what courses i should take?

Thank You!

4 months ago

Emily

hi, im 15 years of age, i love kids. i want to work with them. where do i get the experienced? help me please...?

4 months ago

Babii Girl