Working in a day care facility is one of the most important and fulfilling jobs there is. Social researchers have found that the most important years in a child’s development are those from one to six. Childcare workers nurture, teach, and care for children who have not yet entered kindergarten. They also supervise older children before and after school
These workers play an important role in children’s development by caring for them when their parents are at work or are away for other reasons or when the parents place their children in care to help them socialize with children their age. In addition to attending to children’s health, safety, and nutrition, childcare workers organize activities and implement programmes that stimulate children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. They help children explore individual interests, develop talents and independence, build self-esteem, learn how to get along with others, and prepare for more formal schooling.
Personal attributes of a day care worker
A caregiver should have a positive attitude towards caring for children and be child-friendly. Here is what most parents look for in a care worker:
♦ Wants and likes to be with children
♦ Motivated to work
♦ Has a sense of humour
♦ Feels a connection with children
♦ Has common sense about what a child needs
♦ Stays calm under pressure
♦ Has enough physical energy to keep up with children
♦ Possesses a positive attitude
Helping children grow, learn, and gain new skills can be very rewarding. The work is sometimes routine, but new activities and challenges mark each day.
What they do
Childcare workers spend most of their day working with children. However, they do maintain contact with parents or guardians through informal meetings or scheduled conferences to discuss each child’s progress and needs. Many childcare workers keep records of each child’s progress and suggest ways in which parents can stimulate their child’s learning and development at home. Some childcare centres and before- and afterschool programs actively recruit parent volunteers to work with the children and participate in administrative decisions and program planning.
Finding work
Qualified persons who are interested in this work should have little trouble finding and keeping a job. Jobs are advertised online and in newspaper classifieds. You can also contact recruitment companies and day care schools in your area, to find out about temporary or permanent positions.
Visit http://www.kidzworld.co.za/education/pre-schools/ for a directory of prescschools in SA.
Also see “our Partners” for recruitment companies you can trust.
Career path
As childcare workers gain experience, some may advance to supervisory or administrative positions in large childcare centres or preschools. Often, these positions require additional training, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Other workers move on to work in resource and referral agencies, consulting with parents on available childcare services. A few workers become involved in policy or advocacy work related to childcare and early childhood education. With a bachelor’s degree, workers may become preschool teachers or teachers in public or private schools. Some workers set up their own childcare businesses. For further advice visit www.career-advice.co.za and subscribe to our newsletters