What does a Child Care Worker do?
Child Care Workers typically work for daycare centers, child care agencies or individual families to provide nanny services and early childhood education for children. They work with other Child Care personnel to ensure that children have fun and receive proper attention. Their job is to lead crafts and activities, oversee outdoor time, perform first aid for cuts and scrapes and administer medication to children with medical conditions or allergies. They may also change diapers and feed children between the ages of 0 to 4.
Child Care Worker skills and qualifications
A Child Care Worker must be skilled in interacting with and providing basic care to children of various ages. Some of the most important skills and qualifications they should have include:
- Foreign language skills to interact with children who come from multilingual homes or homes of other first languages
- Behavioral analysis and cognitive recognition abilities for anticipating and addressing potential interactions or issues
- Valid CPR and first-aid certifications
- Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children
- Strong verbal communication and listening skills to converse with children, fellow professional caregivers and parents or guardians
- Excellent patience and stamina for keeping up with the demands of children of all ages
- Advanced multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple children at a time
Child Care Worker salary expectations
Child Care Workers make an average of $11.84 per hour in the United States. This pay rate may vary depending on a candidate’s level of experience and education in addition to their geographical location.
Child Care Worker salary expectations
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Common salary:
16.70 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -34.10 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Child Care Worker education and training requirements
Education requirements for Child Care Workers vary depending on the state regulations and the specific organization. Applicants are commonly required to have a high school diploma or GED at a minimum, and they should hold valid CPR and first-aid certifications. Depending on the child care center, the Child Care Worker may also be required to have an associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development or another related field. Some employers also look for candidates who have relevant certifications, such as the Child Development Associate credential.
Child Care Worker experience requirements
The amount of experience Child Care Workers need varies depending on the size and location of the organization. If the child care team is large, employers may not require prior professional experience. However, for smaller or elite child care centers that have fewer Child Care Workers, employers may look for candidates who have more experience in related positions. In this case, the Child Care Worker should have a minimum of 3 years of experience working with children.
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