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Job Report Childcare Workers
Nature of the Work
Childcare workers look after young children when parents are at work or cannot be
with their children for other reasons. They do many of the things parents do for their
children. Those caring for infants and toddlers follow a routine of basic care--feeding,
bathing, diapering, playing with, and comforting. Those working with older pre-school
children, in addition to taking care of their basic needs, plan and carry out programs to
stimulate the children's physical, emotional, and social growth.
Childcare workers' duties depend on the setting in which they work. Childcare
workers in a large daycare center are in charge of groups of children under the supervision
of a director who also handles administrative and program development responsibilities.
Self-employed childcare workers taking care of a small number of children in their own
homes, often referred to as family daycare, have sole responsibility for those children. In
addition to caring for children, self-employed childcare workers are responsible for a safe
and clean environment, good nutrition, games, and other activities. Many also handle
administrative duties such as obtaining and renewing a license, hiring help, purchasing
supplies, keeping records, mailing out bills, and recruiting children.
Regardless of the children's age or the setting, childcare workers make sure that the
children's basic physical, psychological, social, and educational needs are met. Typical
duties may include greeting children as they arrive, helping them remove outer garments,
and teaching them how to dress and undress. They may organize and direct indoor and
outdoor games and activities or take them on field trips. They may include painting and
drawing, working with clay and wood, singing, and story reading and telling. They also
organize play activities which not only provide physical exercise but teach the children how
to get along with each other.
Childcare workers are also concerned with the children's health and nutrition. They
serve nutritious meals and snacks and use these as an opportunity to teach the children
good eating habits and responsibility for cleaning up after themselves. They also see to it
that the children have proper rest periods. They spot children who may be getting sick or
showing signs of emotional or developmental problems and bring these to the parents'
attention.
Working conditions
Working conditions vary. Childcare facilities may range from a single poorly
furnished room to a large, beautifully equipped building. Some facilities accommodate a
few children, others a hundred or more. Childcare centers may be in private homes,
churches, and on premises of universities, businesses, or other organizations that provide
care for employees' children. Others are in new or remodeled buildings used exclusively
for childcare.
Childcare centers are open year round. Many are open 12 hours a day. Full-time
staff workers usually have 8-hour shifts. However, many work part time or have staggered
hours. Self-employed childcare workers with young children can earn money without
having to leave them. They have great flexibility in their hours of work and in daily routine.
Since they work in their own home, they also are able to handle some housekeeping
responsibilities while looking after children.
Childcare workers spend much of their time standing, walking, bending, stooping,
and lifting. They must be constantly alert, anticipate and prevent trouble, deal with
disruptive children, and provide fair but firm discipline. This can be physically and
emotionally taxing. The work is demanding and sometimes hectic and requires a great deal
of physical stamina. Rewards, on the other hand, come from seeing young children
blossom and grow under their care.
Employment
Childcare workers held 625,000 jobs in 1990. Many work part time.
About two-thirds of childcare workers are self-employed; most take care of children
in their own homes. The rest work in daycare centers sponsored by a variety of
organizations. Many centers are for-profit operations, affiliated in some instances with a
local or national chain. Others are run by churches, synagogues, community agencies,
school systems, and State or local governments. A small number are operated by business
firms for the children of their employees.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Entry level positions for childcare workers require little or no experience, for the most
part. Although their are no specific educational requirements, employers prefer individuals
with a high school diploma. Some employers provide on-the-job training by an experienced
worker.
High school students who plan to work with small children should take courses in
psychology, sociology, home economics, nutrition, and family living. Courses in art, music,
drama, and physical education also provide good preparation. Volunteer or paid babysitting
is helpful.
Formal training or certification is recommended for individuals who wish to advance.
Many 2-year and 4- year colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in
childcare and guidance. Subjects include childhood psychology, and play and educational
activities.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program offers an alternative
way toward certification. It stresses on-the-job performance and experience. The program
is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. A team of childcare professionals conducts the
assessment and decides whether the individual qualifies for the CDA credential. The CDA
assessment process may take several months or longer.
Childcare workers should like working with small children and should be kind and
patient. They should be in excellent health since the work requires much energy and
physical stamina. Skills in music, art, drama and storytelling are also important. Those who
work for themselves must have good business sense and management abilities. As
childcare workers gain experience, they may advance to supervisory or administrative
positions in large childcare centers. Often, however, these positions require additional
training. Some set up their own childcare business.
Job Outlook
Employment of childcare workers is expected to increase faster than the average for
all occupations through the year 2000. This reflects anticipated growth in the number of
young children who will need care, together with a shift in the type of childcare, who will
need care, together with a shift in the type of childcare arrangements parents choose.
Although the number of children under the age of 5 is expected to decline, the
number of youngsters in need of daycare will increase between 1990 and the year 2000.
Mothers of very young children are almost as likely to work as other women. Women are
returning to work sooner after childbirth. A number of daycare centers now offer infant care
in addition to care for toddlers and preschoolers.
Job openings will be plentiful through the year 200. Increased demand for childcare
workers plus the need to replace those who leave the occupation are expected to create
numerous openings. persons who are interested in this work and suited for it should have
little trouble finding and keeping jobs.
Earnings
In 1990, median annual earnings of full-time childcare workers were $10,308. The
middle 50 percent earned between $8,433 and $13,835; the top 10 percent earned at least
$17,638.
Many entry level childcare workers receive only the minimum wage of $3.85 an hour,
scheduled to rise to $4.25 and hour on April 1, 1991; workers younger than 20 years may
receive a lower training wage for up to 6 months. Others start as high as $8 an hour.
Benefits also vary. Some employers offer seminars and workshops to help workers
improve upon or learn new skills. A few are willing to cover the cost of course taken at
community colleges or technical schools.
Earnings of self-employed childcare workers vary depending on the hours worked,
number and ages of the children, and the geographic area.
Related Occupations
Childcare work requires a wide variety of aptitudes and skills, including patience,
creativity, an ability to motivate, teach, and influence others, and, in some cases, leadership
and organizational and administrative abilities. Other occupations that require these
aptitudes include teacher aide, children's tutor, foster parent, recreational therapist, social
worker, and early childhood program director.
Sources of Additional Information
For general information about childcare workers, contact:
National Association for Childcare Management, 1255 23rd St. NW.,
Washington, D.C. 20037.
Childcare Employee Project, P.O. Box 5603, Berkeley, Calif. 94705.
For information on childcare center accreditation standards and program
development and resources, contact:
National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1834 Connecticut
Ave., NW., Washington, D.C. 20009.
For eligibility requirements and a description of the Child Development Associate
Credential (CDA), write to:
CDA national Credentialing Program, 1341 G St., NW., Room 802,
Washington, D.C. 20005.
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