The Average Salary of a Day Care Worker
Day care workers work with children in licensed day care centers. They may work in formal day care centers or in a home that has been licensed to provide day care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for such jobs is excellent, because the relatively low pay, absence of insurance benefits and stressful working conditions cause many people to leave the field. Higher education is usually not required for day care workers--in most cases, a high school diploma and the ability to pass a criminal background check are the only requirements. The BLS reports the median wage for day care workers was $18,970 in 2008.
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Types
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There are two main types of day care workers--ones that work in formal, organized centers, and those that work in family-home settings. Formal day care centers include Head Start, as well as day care centers that may be available in schools or offices, preschools, churches and recreation centers. Family day care centers are ones that are in a private home that is owned by people licensed to provide day care to children.
Function
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The function of child day care workers is to provide supervision to children while their parents are at work or school. Child day care workers may play with the children or tutor them in school subjects. The type of care given to the children will depend on the employer. Some employers, like Head Start, have a curriculum set up for the children. In other types of day care settings, the day care worker may have more input into the type of care given to the children. Day care workers often work with very young children who require care including diaper changing and feeding.
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Geography
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job opportunities are more plentiful in urban areas because in rural areas, there is less of a need for organized day care. Major cities have many day care options, including private organizations as well as government-funded social services programs. The BLS also reports that the opportunity to be self-employed is excellent in this field, and day care workers who have experience in the field may open their own day care centers at some point. The government offers funding in some circumstances, especially in areas where the need for child day care is great.
Benefits
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The greatest benefit to becoming a child day care worker is the opportunity to work with children in an organized setting. Also, since child day care workers are not required to hold degrees, this is an attractive career option for people who are just coming out of high school. Insurance benefits in this field are generally lacking; the BLS reports that many workers leave the field because they are not offered benefits. However, there are some day care centers that do offer basic benefits like health insurance. Every employer will have its own salary and benefits package, but those who work in family day care settings will not likely have the option of getting insurance.
Considerations
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Child day care workers provide a valuable service to families who must work or go to school. Day care workers are with children for up to 12 hours a day, and much of this day may be spent on one's feet. Day care workers should have enthusiasm for working with children, as well as the stamina to be able to keep up with them. Many day care workers work with children under the age of 5, which is when compulsory education begins, so being able to work with toddlers and infants is necessary in this field. Some day cares offer workers additional training, including CPR, and may provide assistance in taking college classes in early childhood education.
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