If you have a passion for working with children, a career as a child care professional could be the ideal choice for you. Child care workers are essential in helping children develop the skills they need for school. They create a supportive atmosphere where children can learn and practice appropriate behaviors, and interact with parents and caregivers on a daily basis. Additionally, they must maintain open communication with parents and families, encouraging their involvement in the program and aiding in the ongoing growth of children at home. Child care professionals can work in a variety of settings, from preschools to day care centers and even in private homes.
Each position has its own duties, qualifications, and average salary. Family child care providers usually work alone with a small group of children, although some work in larger environments or as part of a team. They also create contracts that set rates of pay, when payment is due, and the number of hours children can be in care. Child care workers need excellent speaking skills to provide instructions or information effectively and good listening skills to understand parents' instructions. They must communicate well with children and their parents, as well as with teachers and other child care workers.
Most child care workers perform a combination of basic care and teaching tasks, but most of their time is spent on care activities. State requirements are usually higher for workers in child care centers than for family child care providers. Other workers go on to work in resource and referral agencies, consulting with parents about available child care services. These workers are vital to children's development by caring for them when their parents are at work or away for other reasons, or when parents place their children under guardianship to help them socialize with other kids. Requirements include experience in child care and courses such as university courses or seminars taught by the employer. For professionals who manage their own family center, the usual tasks of managing a business, such as overseeing payroll, scheduling and staffing, can be expected to be added to traditional child care activities.
An outstanding child care administrative assistant should have strong customer service skills to meet the needs of parents and children. Some employers prefer to hire child care workers who have earned a nationally recognized child development associate (CDA) credential or child care professional (CCP) designation from the Professional Recognition Council and the National Child Care Association, respectively.
