Childcare Workers
What is a Childcare Worker?
Childcare workers are professionals dedicated to taking care of young children in various settings, including daycare centers, preschools, and private homes. They play a critical role in the early development of children, providing a safe and nurturing environment that promotes learning and socialization. Their responsibilities often include supervising children's activities, assisting with daily routines such as feeding and dressing, and creating age-appropriate educational programs that stimulate growth and curiosity. Furthermore, childcare workers foster emotional and social development by encouraging positive interactions among children and modeling appropriate behaviors. This career demands a strong sense of responsibility, compassion, and patience, as they work with children in their formative years, helping to instill fundamental values and skills necessary for future life challenges. Childcare workers often collaborate with parents and guardians, providing feedback on children's progress and suggesting strategies for developmental support at home.
Tasks
- 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.
- Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities.
Technology Skills
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Office suite software
- Microsoft Office software
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Computer based training software
- Educational software
- Schoology
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Multi-media educational software
- Nearpod
- Seesaw
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Desktop communications software
- Tadpoles
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Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
Tools Used
- Oral or enteral liquid medication syringe
- Mobile medical services first aid kits
- Balance or gross motor equipment
- Photocopiers
- Mobile phones
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Skills
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Associate's degree
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Less than high school diploma
Work Activities
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Detailed Work Activities
- Arrange childcare or educational settings to ensure physical safety of children.
- Monitor activities of individuals to ensure safety or compliance with rules.
- Discuss child development and behavior with parents or guardians.
- Assist individuals with special needs.
- Provide counsel, comfort, or encouragement to individuals or families.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$22450.0 - $43270.0
This career will have large numbers of openings.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.