4 exciting jobs in childcare

All the different jobs in childcare have one thing in common: they involve ensuring the welfare of children in some way. Is one of these a match for you?

Jobs in childcare aren’t just about babysitting. Being a daycare worker or early childhood educator in any setting entails many responsibilities, including ensuring children's health, safety and development. You'll also be working with varying levels of learning abilities and teaching children healthy ways to play. Here's an overview of the main childcare jobs.

The main occupation in the childcare domain is that of early childhood educator in a daycare setting. Sometimes these professionals are called teachers or educators. Early childhood educators organize and facilitate activities that promote the intellectual, physical and emotional development of the children in their care, and they teach good habits related to nutrition, dressing, potty training and behaviour. They also observe children to assess their progress or detect learning problems and take appropriate action. They sometimes work with outside healthcare service providers, especially when dealing with children with special needs.

These childcare providers are sometimes called daycare workers or teachers. Assistant early childhood educators work with children under the supervision of educators. They prepare and facilitate activities, such as reading stories, preparing craft materials and teaching nursery rhymes. They also prepare and serve snacks and help children learn good hygiene habits. Other responsibilities might include setting up the room at mealtimes and nap time or doing some basic housekeeping chores, such as disinfecting toys and sweeping the floor. In addition, they report to their superiors any observations about the progress and difficulties of the children in their care.

Also known as a family daycare educator or caregiver (and formerly known as a babysitter), the home daycare educator welcomes children into her home and interacts with them in the same way an early childhood educator does in a daycare centre. These workers must therefore ensure the well-being of the children while delivering an educational program that promotes healthy development. Home daycare educators must provide a safe and stimulating environment for children and be able to establish a relationship of trust with parents.

Administrative and supervisory jobs in childcare are usually one step removed from any direct interaction with children. Experience with children and management are usually the prerequisites for roles such as childcare supervisor or daycare centre director.

There are many other childcare professionals who work outside a daily childcare environment. Social workers, community services professionals and special education teachers can also work with children. Daycare centres also employ support staff who don’t work directly with the children, such as cooks and janitors.