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Childcare Worker

Also called: Child Care Worker, Childcare Provider, Infant Teacher, Toddler Teacher

Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Personal care & services
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Median pay
$34,980/yr
Typical range
$24,260 – $46,010
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Childcare Worker do?

  • Maintain a safe play environment.
  • Observe and monitor children's play activities.
  • Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.

How to become a Childcare Worker

Training: A high school diploma or GED or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Skills you'll use

Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvementsListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsLooking for ways to help peopleUnderstanding people's reactionsNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Optimism
  • Sincerity
  • Empathy
  • Self-Control
  • Social Orientation

Tools and technology

Microsoft Office softwareEducational softwareSchoologyNearpodSeesaw

Questions people ask

How much does a Childcare Worker make?

About $34,980 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $24,260 and $46,010. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Childcare Worker?

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Do you need a college degree to be a Childcare Worker?

No four-year degree is needed. A high school diploma or GED or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Childcare Worker a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

Home Health Aide$33,530 a yearNanny$34,980 a yearPersonal Care Aide$35,800 a yearCosmetologist / Hairstylist$34,970 a yearAmusement & Recreation Attendant$32,150 a yearCostume Attendant$50,400 a year

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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