Daycare workers! What is it like to work there?

Question

I am thinking about applying for a job as a daycare worker such as a kitchen cook or a teacher assistant.

Answer 1

I STRONGLY suggest you volunteer for a week or two before making any decisions. It's usually a very busy environment and very fast paced. You need to have a sincere love and appreciation for children if you wanted to work in the classroom. Also, you must have EXCELLENT communication skills.....you will need to interact with parents and other staff in a positive and professional way. You can do it! Just be sure before you comitt.

Answer 2

chaos, absolute chaos - I worked at one for three years and hated it.  Be sure and check out the daycare you want to work out and see if there are adequate activities and choices available and the children aren't all running around hitting each other and throwing stuff everywhere.   There  are good daycares, and there are horrible daycares (like the one I was at)  - ugh!

Answer 3

There are some that do great in this field and others that don't handle it well. It depends on how confident you are in the job and what type of environment it is.  I definately would agree with volunteering first.  Have you thought about your philosophy?  Find out the philosophy of the daycare.  I find that though I've been in this field over 10 years, the places that I had the hardest time being content in my place were those places that our philosophies about early childhood education differed so much.  So think about that.

As a teacher's assistant you may end up being a "floater".  This happens so much in a typical daycare...and if you can find one that doesn't do this as much you are better off.  I remember in one day care center where some days I was in ALL the rooms.  They have to keep the teacher/child ratio correct so they put you where you are needed, not necessarily where you want to.  However, with many licensing requirements becoming stiffer this may not be quite as much of as problem.   Now, you can look at this as experience in every age group to help find your niche :-)  You will have to follow "orders" from the lead teacher and will be helping with the toy switchout, cleaning, etc along with facilitating in the classroom.  It is very busy and fast paced and you must be able to think on your feet and stay calm.  

As a "cook":  most times they are required to create the menus, do the shopping, and prepare the lunches/snacks etc, and cleaning up the kitchen.  That is usually your domain.  There has been very few times where I've seen the kitchen staff "subbing" in the classroom though it might be your responsibility to stand in for breaks or lunches if necessary.  You'll have to check the job descriptions at the day care you are applying at.

Good luck...it can be very rewarding and it's a great experience!

Answer 4

It depends on the center and the age group you will be working with, but here are a few things you should consider...

1) The pay will probably not be great so make sure you're doing it because you love kids

2) You will be busy every second you work and things may seem a bit out of control at times.  (You will have to get used to the constant noise and motion)

3)You have to be able to multi-task.  You will almost always be trying to do two things at once

4)  Depending on your position, you may not actually spend that much time with the kids.  You may be doing a lot of cooking, cleaning, and preparing activities for the kids.

Answer 5

The one drawback to child care is the hours.  You do not work an eight hour shift.  You work till the ratio allows you to go home.  Sometimes the kids are late, and you are late.  So you can work lots of ten hour days.  You are exposed to a lot of sick children, but eventually your immune system will get built up.  It can be a stressful job.  But it can also be very rewarding.  As an assistant, you will work under a teacher and follow her lead.  So you will have to get along with her and handle that responsibility.