Reasons to Consider a Childcare Career

Do you enjoy being around children, especially when you’re able to help them learn or provide them with a safe and supportive environment when they’re away from home for the day? If so, working in childcare can be a great career choice for you.

A childcare career provides you with a chance to spend time working with young children on a regular basis. This kind of career can be highly rewarding, since you have opportunities to help kids learn and thrive. Whether you’re thinking about entering the field of childcare or interested in switching jobs in childcare, knowing more about this kind of work can help you make that decision.

What Careers Are There in Childcare?

The childcare field offers different types of careers, whether you’re interested in teaching or providing childcare that doesn’t involve being in a classroom. The following careers are just some of the childcare positions available for those who love working with children.

Engaging Work

Working in childcare involves interacting with children on a regular basis, whether you work in a daycare center, preschool classroom, or other childcare facility. This means you’ll get to play with kids, provide them with a safe environment, and help them grow and learn. Doing this kind of work can be highly fulfilling.

Good Work-Life Balance

Childcare jobs often provide a healthy work-life balance due to the hours that many of these facilities operate. Keep in mind that childcare facilities usually have specific pick-up times as well, which can make it easier for you to get out of work on time and head home or handle other responsibilities. When you work in childcare, you’ll most likely have a traditional work schedule rather than having to work evenings and weekends.

Job Security

Being a childcare worker can offer good job security due to the steady demand for staff in these facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for childcare workers from 2020 through 2030 is 8 percent, which is about average.* Keep in mind that with certain jobs in childcare, you might have the option of earning a higher degree and advancing your career, such as going from being a preschool teacher’s aide to becoming a preschool teacher. Earning a childcare degree from a school with accreditation can help you accomplish this.

Rewarding Career

Working in the childcare field means you get to play a valuable role in the lives of children and families in your community. Childcare is crucial for many families with working parents. As a childcare worker, you’ll also be able to help children learn important skills for emotional and social growth.

Challenges of Working in Childcare

A childcare career offers important benefits, but it also comes with some challenges. Knowing them can help you prepare and practice handling them if they occur. These are just a few of the difficulties you might deal with when you work in the childcare field.

Conflicts with Parents

Being a childcare worker doesn’t just involve interacting with kids. You might also interact with parents from time to time or more regularly, depending on your position. In some cases, parents might be upset about an incident or issues that their child is facing in preschool or at a daycare facility. Working on communication skills can help you prepare to handle these potential conflicts.

Physically Demanding

Childcare work can be physically demanding, since these jobs often involve playing with kids, participating in games and activities, and handling other tasks throughout the day. You might be on your feet for a good part of the day, whether you’re a daycare employee or preschool teacher. Taking good care of yourself and getting regular physical activity can help ensure you’re able to handle the physical demands of these jobs.

Behavioral Concerns

No matter how good you are at interacting with kids and providing them with support, you may have to deal with children with behavioral concerns or issues. Being able to identify these concerns can help you come up with ways to effectively address them or communicate this information to someone with the authority to help these children. For example, you might recognize behavioral concerns as a preschool teacher’s assistant and communicate them to the preschool teacher you work with.

Exposure to Illnesses

When you work in a childcare facility, you’re going to be exposed to germs on a regular basis. While this can lead to colds and other illnesses, there are many ways to reduce your risk. Encouraging children to wash their hands, using hand sanitizer after touching objects or items, and avoiding touching your face can help you stay healthy as a childcare worker.

Start Your Early Childhood Education Journey Today

Ready to explore educational options for an early childhood education career? Contact Bryant and Stratton College to learn more about our education diploma and degree programs.

At Bryant and Stratton, we offer an Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science Degree for those interested in careers such as preschool teacher or daycare center admin. We also offer an Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma for those interested in working as a daycare assistant teacher, preschool teachers’ aide, childcare worker, or similar occupations. Our educational programs provide you with the knowledge and skills that are needed for working in childcare – find your program today!

*Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee job growth.