Day Care Assistant Job Description

A day care service provides supervision and care for children while their parents are working or performing errands. Day care assistants are an important part of a professional day care operation.

Function

Each day care classroom typically has a lead teacher or supervisor, and the assistant performs a number of tasks so the lead teachers can focus on other duties.

Types of Duties

Day care assistants set up for activities and clean up afterward, supervise children and help with jobs such as feeding and diapering toddlers and infants. Assistants also help the lead teacher track kids' attendance and progress, and may oversee activities developed by the lead teacher.

Time Frame

Day cares typically operate from early morning hours until the early evening, requiring some assistants to work long days. Some assistants work 40 hours per week, while others work part-time.

Requirements

Requirement vary by state, but most day cares require assistants to have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, to be certified in CPR and first aid, and pass state or federal child abuse clearances. Assistants who want to become day care teachers or supervisors typically must receive a minimum of an associate's degree in a field like early childhood education.

Compensation

As of December 2009, the average annual salary for day care assistants was $38,000, according to Indeed.com.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Child Care Workers
• Goals and Training for Employment Success: Day Care Assistant
• Indeed.com: Day Care Assistant Salaries