Child Care |
Who Are Child Care Specialists?Is This Program in My Area?What Do Child Care Specialists Do? Child care specialists combine basic care with teaching and child development. Child care specialists organize activities that will stimulate children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. Child care specialists will help children explore individual interests, develop talents, learn independence, build self-esteem, and getting along with others. Many child care specialists will keep records to monitor each child’s progress and will suggest learning programs parents can use to help their children at home. Child Care Specialist Training Each State has specific training requirements for people seeking to become a professional child care specialist. Many seek a two year or four year early childhood education degree. Many community colleges, trade schools, vocational colleges and traditional colleges and universities offer early childhood education degree programs that teach courses in early childhood education principles, language development, nutrition, early childhood education teaching methods, child psychology and children’s literature. Early childhood education degree students also spend many hours working in preschools for hands-on experience. Child Care Specialist Certification If a child care specialist will be working with more than 2 or 3 children then most states require them to be certified and licensed. For state certification early childhood education specialists must pass a background check, receive current immunizations and be trained and certified in first aid and CPR. Some employers and many parents prefer child care specialists who are certified with the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) certification or the Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) designation from the Council for Professional Recognition and the National Child Care Association. To earn these national accreditations the child care specialist must complete early childhood education degree college courses. Child Care Specialist Job Prospects There is always a high demand for skilled, qualified and certified child care specialists. Child care specialists find rewarding employment at child day care services, preschools, child development centers, educational service organizations, primary and elementary schools, residential care facilities, religious organizations, local governments and family services centers. Many child care specialists eventually open up their own care centers either in their homes or in a professional facility. Child Care Specialist Job Security and Salary People pursing careers helping children as a skilled child care specialist can expect excellent job opportunities and stability. The Bureau of Labor is estimating that the need for child care workers with early childhood education degrees will continue to grow 18 percent over the next decade. This growth is faster than the national average for other industries. Depending on the employer a child care specialist can expect to earn between $17,000 and $28,000 per year. |