Positions in daycare: 5 Child Care Positions & Roles with Average Salary
5 Child Care Positions & Roles with Average Salary
Staffing a team can be tricky, and child care hiring is no exception. Building an amazing team at your child care center is the key to providing the best possible care for every child and exceeding parents’ expectations. But how do you know which child care roles your center needs?
This post will talk about the most important job roles and positions that exist within child care centers. For each child care position, I’ll give an overview of roles and responsibilities, most important requirements and qualifications for that role, and average salary.
Five Child Care Positions Your Center Needs
Child Care Director / Administrator
Job Description: An outstanding child care center needs an outstanding child care director / administrator. This child care position is indispensable because they ensure the excellence of care at your center. The director/administrator is in charge of child care center management, overseeing all day-to-day operations.
As the leader of your child care center, the child care director / administrator plans the programs of your child care center according to its educational philosophy. With the assistance of other daycare workers and parents, they will plan a high-quality curriculum that adheres to state and federal guidelines. They manage purchasing, oversee child care accounting, and set the policies that keep your center running smoothly.
This role is the face of the child care center, acting as a spokesperson to parents and the community. In this capacity, they will:
- spur parent engagement
- lead community outreach
- plan and execute marketing campaigns
- direct external communications
This role is also responsible for hiring, training and supervising all the other child care positions needed for your center’s success. To help deliver an outstanding level of care, they will set employee standards and give evaluations. They must handle all licensing requirements and ensure reporting of child abuse.
Qualifications & Requirements for the Child Care Director Role: Typically a child care director / administrator has an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, and two to -five years’ experience working in a child care setting. As with all child care workers, they must fulfill local licensing requirements and pass a background check.
Other requirements may include:
- Knowledge of child development theory
- Familiarity with local laws and regulations regarding child care
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
- Strong leadership ability
- Administrative and business skills
- Marketing/sales experience
- Crisis management skills
- Valid CPR certificate
Child Care Director Average Salary: $40,000 – $50,000 per year.
Child Care Administrative Assistant
Job Description: A child care administrative assistant performs the duties of both an administrative assistant and a child care worker.
A great child care administrative assistant has a strong customer service aptitude to help meet parents’ and children’s needs.
As the initial point of contact, they:
- answer the phone and taking messages
- handle day-to-day communications with parents
- answer questions about your center
- give tours to prospective parents
- greet visitors
- supervise children’s entry/exit at your child care center
The person in this daycare role works closely with the director/administrator on bookkeeping and record-keeping. They will support all staff by arranging meetings, preparing memos and directing communications. Light janitorial duties may be required, as well as ensuring the center is well-stocked and organized.
Depending on the needs of your child care center, the person in this role may take on child care duties such as meal preparation and classroom supervision. They should be ready to stand in for the other daycare positions if necessary due to regular breaks, planned absence or emergency.
Qualifications & Requirements: A child care administrative assistant should have some prior experience working in a child care center, and meet local licensing requirements.
Other skills and requirements include:
- CPR certification
- Organizational abilities
- Prior administrative assistant experience
- Familiarity with computer software
- Office management skills
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Outstanding customer service
Child Care Administrative Assistant Average Salary: $29,000 – $35,000 per year.
Child Care Supervisor
Job Description: A child care supervisor takes on the important roles of both directly caring for children and acting as a leader to other child care workers. They set the standard for their team in implementing the programs and policies of your center.
As a go-between for the child care director and other workers, the child care supervisor coaches and mentors the other child care positions to make sure the standards of the center are being upheld.
They serve as the “on-the-ground authority,” making decisions about policy implementation and taking charge in emergencies.
Child care supervisors are developing leaders, meaning they are entrusted with exercising good judgment to remember the purpose of each policy and guideline they help implement. They assist the child care director in maintaining compliance with regulations and center policies. The person in this child care role will also take initiative in identifying potential issues, communicating with parents and guiding other staff toward excellence.
Qualifications & Requirements: A child care supervisor usually has a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, as well as at least one to-two years of experience working in child care. They must meet child care local licensing requirements and pass a background check.
Other requirements may include:
- Leadership abilities
- Additional coursework in Early Childhood Education
- Knowledge of local laws and licensing regulations
- Familiarity with the principles of child development
- Time management skills
- Creative thinking and problem solving
- CPR certificate and/or other medical training
- Workplace safety certifications
Child Care Supervisor Average Salary: $28,000-$38,000 per year.
Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
Job Description: Among the most important child care positions, early childhood educators (ECEs) are teachers who work with young children (up to six years of age) to educate and care for them according to your center’s guidelines. The educator in this role plans and executes classroom activities to help children form cognitive, emotional, social and physical abilities in a safe, nurturing environment.
One of the key duties of an Early Childhood Educator is maintaining a safe and stimulating classroom. They make sure the room is clean, free of hazards, and well-stocked with everything kids will need to play, learn and grow. This includes promoting hygiene and dealing with accidents and medical issues appropriately.
Early childhood educators teach kids basic life skills and guide them through routines like meals, dressing, bathroom use and naps. They familiarize students with letters, numbers, shapes and colors.
Reading stories, singing songs, playing games, or doing arts and crafts are examples of fun educational activities an ECE may use.
Educators in this daycare role play a pivotal role in early childhood by fostering self-esteem in an inclusive atmosphere. They encourage emotional and social development by providing one-on-one attention and setting behavioral expectations.
They carefully watch children for signs of behavioral or learning problems and track their progress over time. The ECE keeps parents up to date by taking written observations of each child and sending home reports.
Qualifications & Requirements: An early childhood educator generally has a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as at least one-two years of child care experience, and is licensed by their local jurisdiction.
Other requirements may include:
- Love of working with children
- Knowledge of child development and education
- Familiarity with local laws regarding child care
- Professional development
- Creativity and outgoing nature
- Strong communication skills
- CPR certificate and background check
- Workplace safety credentials
Early Childhood Educator Average Salary: $27,000-$35,000 per year.
Early Childhood Education Assistant
Job Description: This child care position is similar to the early childhood educator (ECE), and the two work closely together. The early childhood education assistant supports the ECE in their duties by helping them care for children and carry out planned activities.
With the guidance of an ECE, the ECE assistant will care for infants and toddlers, engage them in play and participate in educational activities. To help track the development of each child, they will assist supervisors in collecting observations and maintaining records.
The ECE assistant is an important child care role because they will help you maintain ideal staff ratios while saving costs on hiring. A staff supported by ECE assistants can make sure each child can get the individual attention they deserve.
ECE assistants are often in the process of completing their education toward becoming an ECE, so hiring ECE assistants is a valuable mentorship opportunity for your center and provides a candidate pool for future ECEs.
Some ECE assistants specialize in specific areas, such as working with disabled children, which can add extra value to your center.
Qualifications & Requirements: A high school diploma is required, typically along with some coursework in Early Childhood Education and meets all local licensing requirements.
Other qualifications may include:
- Love of working with children
- Basic knowledge of child development
- Creativity and outgoing nature
- Strong communication skills
- CPR certificate and background check
Early Childhood Education Assistant Average Salary: $21,000 – $25,000 per year (or about $10-13 per hour).
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7 Types of Job Roles In Childcare
If you’re planning to work in childcare, you’d be happy to know that it is certainly a very rewarding career. It comes with numerous benefits and with a little bit of patience and effort, you can make a successful career out of it.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the number of workers in daycare will likely spike by 90% through 2020. This could be due to the growing number of women getting back to work after birthing and the steady growth in the number of daycare institutions and kindergartens.
That said, there are a number of different jobs available in childcare and each role has different responsibilities, educational requirements, and remuneration levels. This article will serve as a guide to take you through the various job profiles present within the child daycare sector. Let’s start with the basics first.
Childcare Workers: Who Are They?
Childcare workers look after the children and cater to their basic needs while their parents are at work. They help in establishing and enforcing routines or schedules, overseeing play, and assisting with cleaning, dressing, etc. They may help older kids with homework or assist young children to prepare for kindergarten.
Some of the main responsibilities of a daycare worker include:
– Supervising and monitoring the children’s safety.
– Helping children maintain good hygiene.
– Preparing and organizing snacks and mealtimes for kids.
– Changing the diapers of toddlers and infants.
– Developing routines and schedules to ensure the kids have enough playtime, physical activity, and rest.
– Implementing a curriculum or organizing activities that enable kids to understand and discover their interests.
– Watching for signs of developmental or emotional problems and making the guardians or parents of the issues.
– Keeping records of children’s passion, routines, and progress.
As a childcare provider, you may also read or play with toddlers and babies to instruct basic concepts. For instance, you can teach them about sharing and taking turns by letting them play with other kids.
Childcare Worker Roles:
Daycare Director
The duties of a daycare director involve ensuring the safety of the children and making sure the childcare facility is operating smoothly. They oversee daily programs and inspect the childcare educators and other staff to ensure that they care for the children appropriately and remain compliant with safety and health regulations.
Aside from supervising and training the staff within the facility, they are also responsible for preparing budgets. That said, connecting with the guardians or parents to discuss their child’s progress is the daycare director’s most important responsibility.
Daycare directors tend to have a childhood education degree. Some centers or employers may even require you to have 5 to 10 years of work experience or to get certification for running a childcare facility.
To secure the role of a daycare director, your education, experience, and credentials will play a major role.
As for their salary, daycare directors made an average median wage of $23.18 an hour in 2019, translating to a total of $48,210 a year, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Office Administrator
Child daycares require administrators to supervise business management, budgets, and finances. Their duties vary but generally, it involves communicating with parents and making sure their requirements are met, admitting their kids to the institution, and coming up with policies to ensure the childcare center is operating at its best.
Administrators also oversee the pre-school teachers and childcare workers and see to it that the staff meets state standards for training and education. Some states require administrators to run background checks on the facility’s staff.
The eligibility criteria for daycare administrators vary by center and state.
For instance, some employers and states will require you to have an early childhood education degree, while a high school diploma suffices for some. There are also cases where a specific amount of work experience is required in some states. For instance, in California, you may practice as a daycare administrator if you have teaching experience for 2 years.
In terms of salary, you may expect to make an average median salary of $46.8k a year in the US. Also, administrators working for top-tier childcare programs make about $35.14 an hour and up to $73,086 annually.
Preschool Teacher
Preschool teachers offer care for young children, typically around the ages of 3 to 5. Services vary from basic daycare services to academic instruction and enrichment activities. They prepare kids for kindergarten by helping them follow a routine and teaching social skills.
Primarily, they use stories and play to help the children develop. Additional duties of preschool teachers involve keeping kids safe, ordering supplies, planning snacks, attending meetings, and liaising with guardians.
Most preschool teachers work for private daycare centers, while a small percentage of them are working in schools, both public and private. To be a Head Start teacher, a high school diploma along with a certification in pre-childhood education is the minimum requirement.
Additionally, by law, fifty percent of preschool teachers require a degree in childhood education or any related subject. In terms of wage, the latest study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the median wage for preschool teachers is $16.66 an hour and $34,650 annually.
Childcare Assistant
If you’re to take the role as a childcare assistant, you will have the option to work in multiple settings, including private houses and full-service daycare facilities. Primarily, you’ll have to assist primary caregivers and preschool teachers.
You also need to ensure that every kid under your care receives personal attention and care and is in a comfortable and safe environment.
While you will mostly work with kids around the ages of 0-3 years, there are some settings where you will need to supervise older children too.
When caring for infants and young kids, you must make sure the equipment such as car seats, swings, and cribs are all in good condition and that every child is always safe. Most of the time, your work will involve changing diapers, feeding, and comforting the children. Other responsibilities include providing stimulation, socialization, and entertainment play activities.
As for qualifications, most states require you to possess a degree in childcare education and other related certification. In terms of salary, the BLS suggests that teacher’s assistants made $27,920 per year in 2019.
Early Childhood Educators
This is another fulfilling job in childcare. Early childhood educators are responsible for providing early education and care to infants and young kids between the ages of 0 and 5.
You can work in different settings, including private households, schools, community centers, childcare facilities, and kindergartens.
Contrary to popular belief, your role as an early childhood teacher isn’t just to play with children.
Rather, you’re responsible for preparing structured learning schedules and routines for the kids, stimulating their growing minds, inspiring them, and monitoring everything from meal times to free play.
You will have to create different activities that will help the kids grow both intellectually and socially. In addition to that, you must create a learning environment that inspires exploration, curiosity, and problem-solving in children.
Like most childcare roles, you’ll need a degree or a certification in childcare education. In terms of wage, you can expect to make an average salary of $13.52 an hour, estimating to about $28,100 per annum.
Au Pair
Au pairs are childcare workers who live with a family or guardian and takes care of their children. As an au pair, you will be catering to the kids’ basic needs and even tutor them. In some cases, you may even be responsible for cleaning and cooking.
The working hours of an au pair depend on the employer’s requirements. In exchange for your time, you get a small amount of salary, followed by food and accommodation. Traditionally, this job is primarily taken up by young employees who wish to travel overseas. For instance, most childcare workers in Australia take up this role and explore the world.
Talented au pairs with good work experience are in high demand and can easily find work anywhere in the world. Additionally, based on the arrangements you make with the host family, you can expect to get a minimum weekly pocket money of $195.75.
Babysitter/Nanny
Babysitters offer temporary childcare services depending on the family’s requirements. Most families keep a list of trusted babysitters they can contact to supervise and care for their child for some hours, especially when they are running errands, at work, or attending social events.
While the family may leave some instructions concerning the kid’s eating and sleeping schedule, you will have to ensure the children’s safety and engage them in stimulating activities.
You may expect to do some cleaning chores as well.
Nannies, on the other hand, are quite similar to babysitters in terms of responsibilities. For instance, you may be required to perform housework, do laundry, clean, and even take kids to activities or appointments.
That said, they are more involved in the kids’ lives and usually spend more hours with them, unlike babysitters. Also, they are more qualified and experienced than au pairs or babysitters. Plus, they make more remuneration. Nannies make about $19.14 an hour on average.
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Every job roles mentioned in this article are quite important in the childcare industry. Choosing a career in this industry can be quite fun and fulfilling.
Now that you know about the different roles available in childcare, remember that to really make it in this industry, you must be patient, willing to learn constantly, and most importantly, love kids.
Positions in preschool educational institutions in accordance with professional standards
Professional standard – a characteristic of the qualification that an employee needs to carry out a certain type of professional activity or perform a labor function (part 2 of article 195.
1 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation).
The professional standard of an employee of a preschool educational institution is the main criterion for assessing competence and a strategy for matching a specialist to the position held and is used by the employer as the basis for determining the requirements for the qualifications of employees, taking into account the characteristics of their labor functions.
The application of professional standards is understood as the use of their provisions in organizing the activities of an educational organization, including:
- when hiring to determine the qualifications of an employee;
- during certification to determine compliance with the position held;
- when sending employees to additional vocational education to determine the type of training;
- when developing job descriptions to determine labor actions and requirements for knowledge and skills;
- when developing a staffing table to determine the names of positions.
A typical plan for the implementation of professional standards consists of the following stages (see Regulations on the implementation of professional standards in preschool educational institutions):
- Identification of approved standards applicable to the field of activity, direction of work of the organization.
- Conducting an analysis of the requirements of the professional standard, the content of the current job description in the organization and the records in the documents of the employee holding the relevant position (in the diploma and work book).
- Bringing the employee’s qualifications in line with the requirements of the professional standard.
- Amendments to the documents of the organization in connection with the application of professional standards.
The tables below present data on the compliance of positions in preschool educational institutions with accepted professional standards (stage 1 of introducing professional standards).
The professional standards for positions that can be introduced into the staffing table to perform the assigned tasks or the professional standards of the norms of which can be taken into account when organizing the activities of the preschool educational institution are given.
Accepted professional standards
teaching staff
|
No. |
Professional Standard |
Positions in the preschool educational institution |
| 1. |
01.011 Head of an educational organization (management of a preschool educational organization and a general educational organization).
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation dated April 19, 2021 No. 250n |
|
2.
|
01.001 Teacher (pedagogical activity in the field of preschool, primary general, basic general, secondary general education) (educator, teacher).
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation dated October 18, 2013 No. 544n |
|
| 3. |
01.002 Teacher-psychologist (psychologist in the field of education).
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation dated July 24, 2015 No. 514n |
|
| 4. |
01.003 Teacher of additional education for children and adults.
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation dated September 22, 2021 No. |
|
| 5. |
01.005 Specialist in the field of education.
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation dated January 10, 2017 No. 10n |
|
| 6. |
05.005 Instructor-methodologist.
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation dated September 08, 2014 No. 630n |
|
| 7. |
03.014 Nanny (child care worker).
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation dated December 05, 2018 No. |
|
652n 
769n Accepted professional standards
No.
Professional Standard
Positions in the preschool educational institution
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated February 02, 2018 No. 49n
- Deputy Head of Administrative and Economic Department
- House manager
- Storekeeper at the inventory warehouse (Employees involved in accounting, receiving and issuing goods in the warehouse)
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated February 21, 2019 No.
103n
- Chief accountant
- Accountant
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated November 17, 2020 No. 795n
- Economist
- Senior (leading) economist
- Organization and payroll specialist
- Organization and payroll economist
- Labor Standards Engineer
- Labor Engineer
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated September 10, 2015 No. 626n
- Purchasing Consultant
- Senior Purchasing Specialist
- Contract manager
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated June 15, 2020 No. 333n
- Administrative secretary
- Clerk
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated April 22, 2021 No. 274n
- Junior occupational safety specialist
- Occupational Safety Specialist
- Chief (leading) labor protection specialist
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
of October 28, 2014 No. 814n
- Fire Safety Specialist
- Fire Prevention Specialist
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated October 27, 2020 No. 748n
- Civil defense specialist
- Emergency Protection Specialist
- Civil Defense and Emergency Protection Specialist
- Civil Protection Specialist
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
of September 08, 2015 No. 610n
- Cook Assistant
- Junior cook
- Cook
- Chef
- Chef foreman
- Production Manager
- Production Manager
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated July 31, 2020 No.
481n
- Nurse
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated December 21, 2015 No. 1075n
- Office cleaner
- Janitor
- Comprehensive cleaning worker
Approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated November 17, 2020 No. 810n
- Plumber
Approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
dated November 23, 2020 No. 820n
- Electrician
- Electrician
- Electrician
- Electrician
- Electrician for power networks and electrical equipment
Who works in kindergarten?
For several years we have been monitoring wages, which are indicated when applying for a job.
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Read also: Engineer’s cover letter
Who works in kindergarten: list of professions
professional activity), you should first find out which professions are the main specialties, and which kindergarten professions are auxiliary in the preschool educational institution.
Pre-school education is a very important part of the general, both educational and upbringing process of young children. All these responsible functions are job responsibilities not only for educators and their assistants, but also for representatives of the kindergarten management.
As for management, these are administrative positions, such as the head and deputy head, and the head of the administrative and economic part of the preschool institution.
See also: Professions related to the mountains
But as for regular employees of the lower level or who can work in the kindergarten in addition to pedagogical specialties, these are:
- cook;
- gardener;
- electrician;
- carpenter;
- security guard;
- plumber;
- paramedic;
- nurse;
- choreographer;
- accompanist.
Although these are the so-called secondary workers, nevertheless, it cannot be said that all these full-time positions that this or that kindergarten has are non-core. Since their work in kindergarten is as important as the activities of representatives of the main specialties.
Moreover, without their participation it is impossible to maintain at the proper level, and order in the territory, and comfort, and hygiene inside the premises. And this is nothing more than the health and safety of the wards.
Read also: Profession management
What do kindergarten workers do?
An employee or employee of a preschool educational institution in the staff of this institution can be attributed to one or another area of activity of the institution, namely:
- management;
- teaching staff;
- correction staff;
- staff on additional education;
- medicine;
- junior service personnel.
As for their specific duties, there is an absolutely direct or linear dependence of the type: the name of the profession is nothing more than a function or an explanation of the activity, regardless of the tautology, for example: ;
