Working in the childcare profession can be a gratifying experience. There are many advantages and benefits to working with children and in childcare provider roles, but it is vital to acknowledge that there may be challenges as well. Whether you are just entering the workforce, transitioning into childcare from another profession, or are looking to shift the type of childcare work you do, it will only benefit you to understand the landscape and outlook of childcare careers.

What Kind of Person Works In Childcare?

While childcare workers come from all backgrounds and all walks of life, they need to have certain qualities in common to thrive as childcare providers. Childcare workers have a variety of qualifications and professional experience.

Questions to Consider

• Are you comfortable being around children for long periods?
• What experience do you have raising, teaching, or working with children?
• Do you have any certifications or degrees that relate to childhood development or education?
• Are you prepared to get certified in CPR/First Aid, water safety, food handling, etc., to provide safe, quality care?
• Do you find child development and children’s thinking and growth fascinating?

Education and Background

Some people simply understand children well and go straight into childcare because it gives them satisfaction to know they have this talent. They may gain experience babysitting, or take childcare or CPR certification classes before seeking a more permanent and fulfilling childcare position.

Others may pursue an early childhood education degree and choose to work in early childhood care roles instead of teaching. Many childcare workers transition from other careers, including teachers, social workers, and healthcare workers. As people who have always had a passion for serving and helping others or who have already had significant experience working with children in other roles, they often make excellent childcare providers.

However, a lack of previous experience working with children does not necessarily preclude someone from entering into or excelling at childcare. Some facilities will hire employees for entry-level or assistant roles while you gain experience. Others will hire conditionally, provided that you enroll in an approved childcare or an educational certificate/degree program.

These programs can provide foundational knowledge and skills for working with children.

Important Qualities for Childcare Workers

Aside from meeting state requirements for certification or licensing, one of the biggest considerations for working in childcare is perhaps having a personality that is suited for working with children. You need the right temperament and the ability to work with all types of personalities.

You also need qualities like patience, communication, problem-solving, flexibility, and adaptability. It helps if you are creative, enthusiastic, playful, and have a fun sense of humor because it makes activities and playtime more varied and engaging for both you and the children.

If you have experience caring for children or feel that you can thrive as a childcare provider, then you’ll next need to consider the pros and cons of this line of work.

The Pros of Working in Childcare

There are many benefits to working as a childcare provider, and it can be a very rewarding career choice. Just like anyone else, you should choose a career path that you believe will bring you joy and personal fulfillment.

You are Always Engaged

People who go into childcare have an affinity for caring for children. They love playing with kids and being a part of their growth, development, and milestones. Many children come to treat their caregivers as family, and building bonds with these children is very common.

If you enjoy providing a nurturing environment for children to play, learn new concepts, and develop new skills, childcare should be particularly exciting for you.

Childcare Can Be Very Fulfilling Work

Young children need a variety of trusted adults to care for and guide them as they are learning social and emotional skills that will carry them into school and beyond. Childcare workers play a valuable role in the lives of many children, and it can be fulfilling to watch them grow up into successful students and young adults.

They also have the privilege of providing a much-needed service to the community. Many households couldn’t function well without reliable, safe childcare, and playing a small part in a family’s success can be very rewarding for you.

Childcare Provides Job Security

Childcare is a steadily growing occupation, and there will always be a need for childcare, so this is unlikely to change. From traditional daycare centers to providing private, in-home childcare, childcare careers are not going anywhere.

This is not a field that can diminish as technology and society change. Childcare workers cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence or machines, so job security is not going to be an issue in the same way that other occupations may see in the future.

Steady Work-Life Balance

Childcare typically provides a relatively reliable schedule. Most daycare centers follow a traditional workweek schedule, so you should have evenings, weekends, and holidays off from work.

Daycare centers typically have strict pick-up policies as well, so you know that you should get off work on time most days. This can help make your routine more predictable for planning your personal life. If you are only looking for part-time work in childcare, you will likely find it, and if you are opening your own daycare, you can set your schedule.

Depending on the hours you wish to work, childcare can provide a very flexible schedule.

The Cons of Working In Childcare

As with any other profession, there are going to be challenges associated with working in childcare. It is important to understand what obstacles you may face, so you can be better prepared to persevere even when it feels difficult.

Pay Has Been Traditionally Low

Working in child care is often relatively low pay, especially in entry-level positions, but at the upper end of the scale it can be quite rewarding.

The good news is that with support from new technology platforms, childcare workers are able to streamline operations and run their businesses more efficiently to help turn a profit.

Childcare Can Be Demanding

Childcare can be mentally, emotionally, and even physically demanding, but it’s also rewarding. Those who work with children should be prepared to:

• Stay physically fit. Working with children can be more physical work than expected. You may be lifting children throughout the day, playing active games, and moving about constantly as you monitor naps, encourage sharing or parallel pay, and assist children with routine care like diapers or toilet training or mealtime.

• Communicate with parents about their children’s needs. Effective communication and collaboration with parents are important to make sure that everyone is on the same page, and that you are building trust and forming strong partnerships between families and childcare providers.

• Have firm boundaries. You may work with children with behavioral or emotional concerns that will test your patience and your boundaries. You’ll need to be able to provide conflict resolution between children or deal with parents who may have clashing philosophies at times.

• Seek guidance and mentorship. Effective mentoring can maximize the success of a childcare practice. When childcare workers are encouraged and supported, they become better childcare providers and have greater longevity in their careers. A platform like Wonderschool provides a place for community and mentorship with a strong network of childcare providers and helpful resources.

Many Regulations and Laws

Childcare laws, and training requirements, vary from state to state, but the specifics often depend on how you are classified. The type of certification you need may depend on if you are classified as a childcare provider, a daycare center director, an educator, or another role.

If you are operating your own childcare facility, you will also have to consider registration and/or licensing requirements for your business, plus any regulations for additional employees. Your licensing agency will likely require that you regularly submit verification of a background check, CPR/First Aid and food handler’s certification, and continuing education credits, which are often required to be maintained by childcare professionals.

If you are a business owner, you will also have standard business-related paperwork, as you will need to keep up with attendance, invoices, inventory, accident reports, and more.

Lack of Support

Although childcare workers carry a huge responsibility of assisting families with the physical, social, and emotional needs of young children daily, it can be difficult to find high-quality resources for curriculum and professional development. This can be particularly hard for private, in-home daycare providers, who may also suffer from a lack of peer support.

So, how can providers across the country become more child-centered, growth-minded, and safety-focused without feeling burnt out or isolated? Fortunately, there are partners that can help.

Wonderschool hosts a community of childcare providers as well as a library of resources specifically for childcare directors to help with rules and regulations, operations, and marketing, right at your fingertips.

Interested in Working In Childcare?

Childcare is much like any other profession. There may be challenges as a childcare provider, but just like with any other job, when you go into a career for the right reasons, it can be a very edifying experience.

At Wonderschool, we understand the importance of providing quality childcare and educational opportunities for local communities. We strive to equip childcare providers with the tools they need to overcome the challenges faced in the profession, so they can focus on providing child-centered and developmentally appropriate care.

For more information about working in childcare or opening your own daycare, we encourage you to contact us today!