Child Day Care Industry Overview

There are an increasing number of households in which both the mother and father work full time, contributing to the rapid growth of the childcare industry.The growing need for child day care is met in a variety of ways.Care is provided both in a child's home, organized childcare center and in the provider's home, otherwise known as family childcare.The industry is made up of establishments that provide care for infants, toddlers, pre-school aged children and school aged children that require care before and after school.The childcare industry consists of two main types of childcare: center-based care and family care.Formal childcare centers include pre-schools, childcare centers and head start centers.Family care providers care for children in their own home, or the parents home, for a fee.Non-profit organizations may provide services in YMCA's, religious institutions and other recreations and social centers, public schools, colleges and social service agencies.A growing number of employers are offering childcare benefits to their employees.Some employers sponsor childcare centers in, or near the office, while others are beginning to offer financial assistance, or discounts for childcare.

Child Day Care Occupations in the Industry

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are three main occupations that make up 75% of the jobs within the childcare industry, pre-school teachers, teacher assistants, and childcare workers.Pre-school teachers make up the largest percentage of the jobs within the occupation.They teach students basic intellectual, physical and social skills needed to enter a primary school.Teacher assistants provide assistance to classroom teachers by completing secretarial and instructional tasks, allowing teachers to spend more time on lesson plans and teaching.Additionally they may be responsible for preparing supplies, recording grades, working with small groups to help students learn through activities and supervising students on field trips. Childcare workers care for and nurture children who have not yet entered formal schooling and also work with older children before- and after-school. These workers play an important role in a child's development by caring for the child when its parents are away. In addition to attending to children's basic needs, child care workers organize activities that stimulate children's emotional, physical, intellectual, and social growth. They help children build self-esteem, develop talents and independence, and learn how to get along with others.

Skills, Training and Required Qualifications

The qualifications and training required of childcare workers may vary widely depending on the position, company and state of residence. Each State has its own licensing requirements that regulate caregiver training; some states may require a high school diploma, completed community college courses, and/or college degrees in early childhood education, or child development. Childcare workers employed in private settings who care for only a few children are not typically regulated by States at all.State requirements are generally higher for those who are employed at child care centers. Some employers prefer to hire childcare workers who have completed secondary or postsecondary courses in child development and early childhood education, earned a nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or the Certified Childcare Professional designation, or have work experience in a childcare setting. A number of companies are now requiring an associate degree in early childhood education.

child day care occupation | child day care workers | child day care policies | child day care requirements | child day care centers | child day care rates | child day care services | child day care programs | child day care providers | child day care facilities | child day care license | child day care assistance