Top childcare skills to look for in candidates
1. Childcare
Included in 37.24% of childcare job postings
Previous childcare experience equips applicants with skills such as managing behaviors, communicating well with children, interacting with parents and creating developmentally appropriate activities. While some centers hire applicants with no previous experience, including this requirement in your childcare job description could shorten the training time and improve the quality of care you provide.
Job description example: One year of childcare experience in a daycare center environment
Assessing the skill: Review applications for childcare experience and ask related interview questions.
2. Teaching
Included in 27.51% of childcare job postings
Many childcare workers incorporate lessons to support child development and learning. If your position includes an educational component, consider adding teaching skills to your job description. Specific teaching skills might include developing lessons, implementing classroom management strategies, adapting lessons to different levels or having prior experience as a classroom teacher.
Job description example: Teaching skills to include lesson planning and classroom management
Assessing the skill: Ask situational interview questions to assess teaching skills.
3. Communication skills
Included in 17.53% of childcare job postings
Childcare workers need to communicate with all ages. Using language that young children understand helps teach them and keep them safe. The staff also needs to communicate with parents and other staff members to create a secure, engaging environment. They may need to craft emails as well, which requires written communication skills.
Job description example: Ability to communicate with all ages and use written communication skills for email communications
Assessing the skill: To assess communication skills, ask scenario-based interview questions that address various communication methods, including written and verbal.
4. Early childhood education
Included in 10.61% of childcare job postings
Because childcare typically focuses on young children, asking for early childhood education experience helps you find candidates with experience working with that age range. They understand child development, which helps them manage children’s emotions and provide developmentally appropriate support.
Job description example: Previous experience working with children under the age of five or a certification in early childhood education
Assessing the skill: Applicants should list related degrees and experience on their applications. Learn more about their experience and skills with follow-up interview questions.
5. Experience with children
Included in 9.5% of childcare job postings
This requirement for childcare job descriptions allows more flexibility than early childhood or teaching skills. It accounts for personal or volunteer experience, such as in a church nursery or as a nanny or babysitter.
Job description example: Previous experience working with children under the age of five
Assessing the skill: If the applicant doesn’t list experience with children on their application, ask how they’ve interacted with kids in the interview.
6. Preschool experience
Included in 8.69% of childcare job postings
If your childcare facility includes preschool programming, consider adding preschool experience to your requirements. Working in a preschool program strengthens the candidate’s understanding of what young children need to learn effectively. They understand what types of activities to plan and how to keep young kids focused.
Job description example: Experience planning and teaching preschool lessons.
Assessing the skill: Check resumes for preschool experience in classrooms or daycare settings and ask questions about preschool classroom management.
7. English
Included in 7.61% of childcare job postings
Strong verbal communication skills include a solid command of English. Proper English use also helps young children in childcare centers learn correct language skills.
Job description example: Fluency in written and spoken English
Assessing the skill: Administer a language test to check for fluency in a desired language.
8. Classroom experience
Included in 5.42% of childcare job postings
Classroom experience can be a helpful skill if you run an educational daycare program. Prior experience working in classrooms teaches applicants how to create learning opportunities and a focused, stimulating environment. Candidates with this experience can make a positive impact on your center.
Job description example: One year of classroom experience, preferably with children under age five
Assessing the skill: Applications should indicate jobs with classroom experience. Ask candidates to elaborate through targeted interview questions.
9. Spanish
Included in 3.68% of childcare job postings
If you have a large number of students and families who speak Spanish, you might prefer candidates who can speak, read and write in the language fluently. This improves communication and interpersonal skills to create stronger relationships with the families. Childcare workers can understand the needs of the children in their care when they speak the same language.
Job description example: Fluent in written and spoken Spanish
Assessing the skill: Require a Spanish language assessment.
10. Customer service
Included in 3.31% of childcare job postings
Customer service skills enable employees to communicate well and respond appropriately to help parents feel comfortable with the care you provide. They often interact with parents, take shifts at the front desk or require conversations with potential and current clients.
Job description example: Excellent customer service skills are required for effective communication with parents and guardians.
Assessing the skill: Ask customer service scenario questions to evaluate if their experience is applicable to your business.
11. Infant care
Included in 3.18% of childcare job postings
When you’re hiring an employee for your infant room, consider infant care skills for your job description. Babies require special care to ensure their nutritional and health needs are met. Candidates with infant care skills know how to bottle feed, change diapers, soothe crying and spot changes in behavior.
Job description example: Infant care skills, including feeding and comforting techniques
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates how they would handle various care scenarios with infants.
12. Bilingual
Included in 3.09% of childcare job postings
In some areas, childcare centers serve diverse populations with clients who speak various languages. Adding bilingual caregivers to your team enhances communication opportunities with children to improve care. It also better prepares you to discuss concerns with parents who might not speak English. Evaluate the languages your clients speak at home to determine language requirements for new hires.
Job description example: Bilingual in English and Mandarin
Assessing the skill: Include language testing in the applicant screening process.
13. Nannying
Included in 3.04% of childcare job postings
Whether you’re hiring a childcare worker for a nannying role or a daycare center, choosing applicants with nannying skills and experience helps you choose someone with previous childcare work. They learn to anticipate kids’ needs and meet those needs while keeping the kids safe. Nannies also interact frequently with parents, which can improve customer service.
Job description example: Previous nannying experience with preschool-age children
Assessing the skill: Request references from previous nannying roles.
14. Organizational skills
Included in 2.76% of childcare job postings
Childcare centers feature toys, craft supplies, games and other materials. Employees with effective organizational strategies maintain a neat environment with plenty of room for kids to play. They’re able to find the materials they need easily. Organization keeps the kids safe by maintaining open lines of sight and keeping hazardous materials away from kids. Childcare workers often organize documentation as well.
Job description example: Strong organizational skills
Assessing the skill: When assessing organizational skills, ask candidates about their organizational techniques and multitasking abilities.
15. Computer skills
Included in 2.45% of childcare job postings
Many positions in childcare centers involve working directly with kids. Others, such as directors and administrative assistants, handle more paperwork and parent interactions. They might document incidents with the computer and use various childcare software programs to manage the facility well. Being comfortable with basic computer applications makes these duties easier.
Job description example: Comfort with technology, including computers and tablets
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates to complete an online computer skills text to verify their competency.
16. Classroom management
Included in 2.31% of childcare job postings
Daycare classrooms are often more relaxed than school classrooms, but implementing classroom management strategies is still important to maintain order. Managing behaviors, adapting activities to different interests and helping kids focus creates security for young kids. It can also reduce behavior problems.
Job description example: Effective classroom management techniques for early childhood groups
Assessing the skill: Ask interview questions about specific classroom management situations to evaluate the methods the candidate uses.
17. Toddler care
Included in 2.06% of childcare job postings
If your vacancy is in the toddler room, looking for toddler care skills is an effective option. This includes understanding toddler emotions, encouraging them to explore while keeping them safe, potty training and balancing help with independence. By hiring someone who feels comfortable with toddlers, you can give them more responsibilities in the toddler classroom faster.
Job description example: Experience in toddler care is required, ensuring the ability to meet the specific needs and developmental stages of young children
Assessing the skill: Ask interview questions that explore the candidate’s toddler care skills.
18. Time management
Included in 1.89% of childcare job postings
Soft skills such as time management affect how a daycare employee does their job. They’re more effective when they can manage the classroom schedule well. For instance, if different groups have lunch at different times, these skills keep the schedule on track.
Job description example: Effective time management skills in a classroom setting
Assessing the skill: Include time management interview questions and ask the candidate’s references how they prioritize multiple responsibilities.
19. Writing skills
Included in 1.84% of childcare job postings
Childcare workers use writing skills when creating plans for the kids and documenting notes about the kids in their care. They may email the parents regarding incidents or send classroom emails to let all parents know what’s happening. Strong writing skills make these communications and documents easy to understand and effective.
Job description example: Ability to write emails and newsletters for parents
Assessing the skill: A writing sample lets you see the candidate’s skills for yourself.
20. Sanitation
Included in 1.83% of childcare job postings
Maintaining a sanitary environment can help cut down on illnesses. It also keeps the surfaces as clean as possible in a busy daycare environment. Understanding the importance of sanitation and how to do it safely around kids protects your business. Candidates with sanitation skills contribute to a healthier environment.
Job description example: Knowledge of proper daycare sanitation techniques
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates questions on proper sanitation methods during interviews.
21. Management
Included in 1.56% of childcare job postings
Some daycare roles include management duties. Examples include assistant director and director positions. Having management skills, such as delegation, communication, empathy, problem-solving and team motivation, better equips candidates for completing the duties of the role. Pinpoint specific management duties and skills when writing your job description.
Job description example: Previous childcare management experience as an assistant director or director
Assessing the skill: Resumes should reflect the management experience. Expand on the information with relevant manager interview questions and follow-up questions.
22. Caregiving
Included in 1.51% of childcare job postings
Your team members who work directly with the children use caregiving skills every day. They anticipate the kids’ needs and know how to properly help with feeding, diaper changes and going to the bathroom. For kids with special needs, caregiving might include using specific interventions for the condition. Empathy, problem-solving and basic first aid skills are also helpful for caregiving.
Job description example: Experience as a caregiver with first aid and CPR certification
Assessing the skill: Verify any certifications for the candidate. Check for caregiving roles on the resume.
23. Daycare
Included in 1.4% of childcare job postings
It’s common for daycare roles to expect previous daycare experience. With it comes a knowledge of daycare operations, such as drop-off procedures, classroom management and basic childcare tasks. These candidates know which types of activities work well for young kids. If you prefer experienced employees, consider adding daycare experience to your job ad.
Job description example: Previous daycare experience is required, demonstrating the ability to effectively care for and manage groups of young children
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates to describe their experience working with young children in a daycare setting.
24. Supervising experience
Included in 1.39% of childcare job postings
A major part of the job is supervising kids in various settings, such as classrooms and field trips. Some daycare employees might also supervise other staff members like assistants. Knowing how to monitor performance, offer suggestions and delegate tasks makes this responsibility easier if your role is a supervisory one.
Job description example: Supervisory experience in a childcare setting
Assessing the skill: Look for supervisor experience on resumes and ask scenario-based questions to assess skills.
25. Computer literacy
Included in 1.29% of childcare job postings
Childcare requires lots of documentation, from tracking attendance and tuition payments to documenting child behaviors and incidents. Software programs often manage this data. A candidate who is computer literate may feel confident using various computer programs, even software they’ve never used before. You can train them on your systems faster when they have comfort with technology.
Job description example: Competence in computer literacy skills
Assessing the skill: Consider a computer skills test for applicants in your specific software.
Other top childcare skills in-demand
Here are an additional 25 childcare skills that are common in childcare job postings on Indeed:
26. Microsoft Office: Included in 1.19% of childcare job postings
27. First aid: Included in 1.11% of childcare job postings
28. Leadership: Included in 1.06% of childcare job postings
29. Microsoft Excel: Included in 0.93% of childcare job postings
30. Babysitting: Included in 0.9% of childcare job postings
31. Mandarin: Included in 0.74% of childcare job postings
32. Cooking: Included in 0.72% of childcare job postings
33. Microsoft Word: Included in 0.68% of childcare job postings
34. Lesson planning: Included in 0.63% of childcare job postings
35. Child protective services: Included in 0.6% of childcare job postings
36. Childhood development: Included in 0.58% of childcare job postings
37. Social media management: Included in 0.48% of childcare job postings
38. Food preparation: Included in 0.42% of childcare job postings
39. Special education: Included in 0.41% of childcare job postings
40. Lending: Included in 0.39% of childcare job postings
41. Conflict management: Included in 0.36% of childcare job postings
42. Maths: Included in 0.35% of childcare job postings
43. Medication administration: Included in 0.31% of childcare job postings
44. Administrative experience: Included in 0.31% of childcare job postings
45. Care plans: Included in 0.31% of childcare job postings
46. Behavior management: Included in 0.3% of childcare job postings
47. Microsoft PowerPoint: Included in 0.29% of childcare job postings
48. Microsoft Outlook: Included in 0.29% of childcare job postings
49. Basic maths: Included in 0.29% of childcare job postings
50. Curriculum development: Included in 0.28% of childcare job postings
¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023
