If you enjoy spending time with children and already have babysitting experience, then you may find a job working in a daycare center to be quite rewarding. Some of the entry level jobs include childcare worker helper or teacher’s assistant. Centers will also hire younger teens to be a cook’s helper. The following article can assist you in discovering more about daycare opportunities, and therefore covers the following topics:

• Landing Your First Job in the Daycare Field
• Working In Daycare as an Older Teen
• Basic Prerequisites for Obtaining a Job
• Working as a Director
• Future Job Growth
• Applying to Work in Daycare
• Interviewing for the Job

Landing Your First Job in the Daycare Field

If you have just landed your first job in a daycare center, some of the tasks that you may assume include helping the child care workers watch children, assisting with the cleaning of play equipment, helping in changing diapers, or helping to prepare and serve food.

Working in Daycare as an Older Teen

If you are an older teen, or at least 17 or 18 years old, you can work in a daycare center if you are qualified to teach or you possess a high school diploma. Typically, teachers in the profession make about $10.50 per hour. According to statistics, about 30% of the teachers work part-time. Wages are higher for full-time employees or supervisors.

Basic Prerequisites for Obtaining a Job

Obtaining a Work Permit

The age at which you begin work in a daycare center depends on where you reside and where you wish to work. That is because each state has its own requirements and rules with respect to hiring teens. For example, in Massachusetts, if you are under the age of 18, you have to obtain a work permit first before you can work in a daycare center. In other states, you will need to obtain a work permit if you are under 16, or wish to work during the school year.

Educational Requirements

Also, depending on your locale, you may not have to meet certain educational requirements for working in entry-level childcare jobs. However, some states require certification or a high school diploma for obtaining entry-level employment. In addition, teens are not permitted to take on any tasks that are prohibited for teens by a state’s labor board. These tasks can vary, depending on the locale.

Requirements for working in daycare can also vary by state and the kind of job. However, daycare teachers usually must have a high school diploma, and, in most cases, a combination of child care experience and a college education. Employees who work as teaching assistants or childcare workers only need a high school diploma to apply. Some states also mandate training for staff members that may include fire safety, health and first aid, or child abuse detection and prevention.

Working as a Director

If you want to become an elementary school teacher or have decided to make a commitment to the field of child care, you can experience career growth by taking this particular track. A child care director typically needs to hold a bachelor’s degree in education as well as experience. If you meet the qualifications for this job, the pay averages around $20 per hour.

Future Job Growth

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for daycare jobs will continue to grow. This growth is based on the desire by parents to acclimate their children in a pre-school type of environment before they begin they traditional schooling.

Many daycare teachers eventually leave their job to seek higher paying positions or to return to school. As a result, child care centers can have a high turnover and are therefore regularly seeking employees. Naturally, you can use this fact to turn the tide in your favor, especially if you want to work in a day care facility.

Applying to Work in Daycare

To obtain a job in a day care center, visit the place where you want to work. Ask to speak to the director of the center. Then inquire about open positions as well as the age requirements and how you can apply.

Interviewing for a Job

If you are called for an interview, make sure to show up to the meeting five minutes early and dress professionally. Never wear anything that is revealing or tight. Make sure you are prepared to answer certain questions. For instance, you may be asked the following:

• Why do you want to work in a daycare center?
• Do you love working with children?
• Why do you think you are the right fit for the position?

What to Bring to the Interview

You also should be ready to ask questions of your own. For example, you may want to ask the ages of the children with whom you will be working. Also, ask about the job duties. Bring along a list of references when applying for the job. For instance, if you have babysitting experience, you should include these references.

Do you think you would like working in a childcare center? For what position would you like to apply? Do you plan to go into the field of elementary education? You may be able to use this job to supplement your schooling. Would you like to use this experience to continue working in the field or to supplement another employment or educational goal?