Careers in Child Care Services

Typical Job
Child Care, Babysitter, Day Care Operator, Nanny

Typical Work
Most people cannot watch their children during the day due to work commitments. And now that more and more women also have careers, the childcare industry is growing. Millions of children are left in the care of others each day as their parents go to work. A career in childcare is fairly self-explanatory you will need to care for a child who is left in your care while their parents are away. To do this will require that you make sure the child does not harm themselves, has enough to eat, goes to the washroom, and also usually involves entertaining the child. As a member of the childcare industry you will typically be employed by individual parents, day care companies or child care companies. Sometimes you may work as a live in nanny or an au pair where you will substitute some salary for room and board.

Education Needed or Training
For a career in childcare you do not need any formal education. Many people in this industry have a high school diploma or no education at all. There are no programs at any universities in this field. But there are some at career schools, community colleges or technical schools. At these institutes you will learn a variety of skills that will enable you to provide the proper care needed to a child. Many other people learn through on the job experience or from other sources (Family, part-time job as a teenager). Other training that many people obtain is a course in first aid or CPR. These courses can help you obtain employment by giving you an advantage in safety over your peers. If you wish to operate your own childcare facility or day care you will need some knowledge in business and will need to obtain proper certification to be able to run your business.

Skills and Interests
Obviously you will need to have an interest in children and caring for them. Skills include patience, caring, sensitivity, being able to demand respect, energy and being reliable. Another skill may be training in the area of safety. You should also have an interest in working with children, working one on one or with many children, working alone and working nights and weekends (many of the times when someone is needed to care for a child.)

Salary Range: $7.00/hour (babysitter) - $ 20.00/hour

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