Role of a Toddler Child Care Worker

Toddler child care workers provide a safe and stimulating environment where young children can learn, grow and develop new skills.

Toddler child care workers provide professional child care services and specialize in caring for children from 1 to 5 years of age. Child care worker positions are classified with the human and public services sector, per the U.S. Department of Labor. Toddler child care workers may work in child care institutions, schools, hospitals and private households. Depending on the job, toddler child care workers may care for a group of toddlers at one time or provide individualized attention to a single child.

Role Description and Responsibilities

Toddler child care workers care for children age 5 and younger in the absence of their parents. They provide a safe and stimulating environment where young children can learn, grow and develop new skills. To promote the emotional and social well-being of toddlers, child care workers plan activities, such as arts and crafts, reading, storytelling and play time with other children. They encourage healthy behavior, regulate rest periods and meal times and sometimes assist with potty training.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The toddler child care worker role involves frequent human interaction and communication. The competencies required to carry out the responsibilities of a toddler child care worker include knowledge of parent-child relationships, human and group behavior, child growth and development, child safety and security procedures, social dynamics and the principles and methods for curriculum design and teaching; as well as skills in social perceptiveness, active listening, disciplining children and controlling behavior, learning strategies and teaching others.

Education and Experience

The education requirements for child care providers vary widely. State laws regulate the licensing requirements for child care providers and degree requirements vary by employer. In many cases, a high-school diploma or GED equivalent qualifies a person for this position. Some employers may require an associate's or bachelor's degree, job-related course work or specialized training in child development, nutrition, psychology and speech, among others.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Toddler child care workers may be given more responsibility as they gain experience. Supervisory or administrative positions may require additional education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree. To further their career, toddler child care workers may also seek employment with domestic staffing and referral agencies. Workers with college degrees in education and youth development may continue to teaching positions in either public or private schools. Some workers move on to private child care positions and work out of the home.

Compensation

Child care and day care worker occupations in the United States average annual earnings of $16,188 to $22,775, as of 2010, according to national income trends from PayScale.com. The average hourly rate of child care workers in the United States ranges from $7.73 to $10.21. Factors such as educational attainment and employer can affect a child care worker's salary.

References

• CareerZone: Child Care Workers
• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Child Care Workers
• PayScale: Child Care Worker Salary, Average Salaries
• PayScale: Child Care Worker Wages, Hourly Wage Rate