Do you like working in a daycare?

Question

i'm a new graduate and it's really tough. my coworkers expect so much from me since i just graduated but what they don't understand is 2 yrs of college doesn't show the whole picture of how it is to work in a daycare! on top of working with children and coworkers, I had to deal with parents too!

Do you think it's worth it?

I've cried so many times at work already and I've been working for just a few months.

Answer 1

Oh, my heart goes out to you.  You are so right when you say that 2 years of college just really doesn't fully prepare you for this!  There is so much that can't be taught in college.  You can only learn it from experience.  Many people think that working in day care or preschool is "just playing" and it will be such an easy job.  But as you're finding out, it's no piece of cake, and it's very under-valued.  Those of us who stick with it are under-paid and over-worked.  We put our hearts and minds completely into our work, as we try to provide a better growing and learning environment for the youngsters in our care, and sometimes it seems like absolutely everyone is against us.  The kids are almost unmanageable, that parents act like we're just awful, and co-workers are picking at each other.  If the day care you are working at does not have a curriculum and does not provide a structured program for the kids, you may find that you enjoy it more working in a program that does provide curriculum and structure.  Unstructured time is very important for the kids, but your day will be so much more pleasant if you have a routine to follow, and it's calming and reassuring for the kids.  I have been doing this a long time, and I find I absolutely love it.  Please email me if you need some advice or encouragement.

Answer 2

i've been working at a daycare for the past 2 yrs now and yeah i gotta tell u there are some bad days where parents are gonna be jerks but i kinda grew to just ignore their attitude or wutever bad thing other co-workers were saying or doing..just think..ur there bc u want to be and bc u love ur job(at least i hope u do) i mean i love working with the kids and from going to school everyday and then going straight to work-to see them really brightens up my day. just look at the positive side of things. don't let little things affect u. and if ur co workers want more from u...ask them exactly wut they want cuz obviously u can't read their minds!

Answer 3

I haven't tried it yet but we have the same dilemma. I'm also a fresh grad, and I'm working right now, which is my first job. There are times that I really want to burst in tears because of the many mistakes I've done though I am just working for a couple of months.

As you had said, you were just working for a few months. It's really hard to start with your first job being a fresh graduate and all. Don't give up. Don't let your fears defeat you. As long as no one is complaining about you, as long as you are doing your job very efficiently and effective, you are doing fine. The problem is you too, in a subconscious level, are expecting too much of yourself. Stop saying that your co-workers are expecting too much of you because if you do, you'll be affected. You're a human being who commits mistakes too.

Just be confident and as I said, don't let your fears defeat you. And it's okay to cry, if you don't have someone whom you can cry on. You'll be fine and will be used to cranky children and even parents. Don't you think so?

Answer 4

I run a daycare out of my home and watch 6 two year olds most days.  I don't know how you deal with co-workers, but I do know that parents can be tough.  There are days when I want to lose my mind, but what keeps me grounded is the kids.  When everything seems to be going crazy it's usually because I am thinking of what I need to do, what's going on in my life, and what I can't get done with 6 crying children around me.  So I stop, and I've learned that when I just forget about me for a while and get down and play with the kids or just hold them, whatever it takes to keep them calm and happy, then my stress seems to disapate.  I hope this helps.  Try only focusing on having fun with some of the little ones for a while and see if it helps put it all in perspective.  Good Luck!

Answer 5

Hi!  I understand that you are having a hard time at work especially because as you mentioned people from work expect much from you. It must be really hard especially when you have to juggle work and your personal life. However I must say that if you love your job then it is still worth it. If you really have the passion for teaching then I say go for it! The thing is you just have to see things in a positive point of view. How? Well, you say your colleagues have high expectations of you? Then take it as a challenge to improve at what you are doing. Learn as much as possible from these people. With regards to your parents whom you say you have to deal with then deal with them at home period. You can’t possibly bring your problems to work and expect yourself to work well….. Stresses from home will affect the quality of work that you do.



Hey I’m not just saying this to make you feel better. I have actually experienced some of those things as well so basically I know where you are coming from. It’s tough! But in a way you get used to it. Cry if you want but learn to cope!

Answer 6

Oh My Gosh!

You POOR THING!!!

Put your resume in at another centre, the one you're working at right now sounds awful!!!  

I love my job.  

I had no qualifications when I started working in childcare, so I didn't know what to expect.

I went to work in a centre near my house, but it was awful!!!  I got given all the yucky jobs ALL THE TIME!!!  I felt like I'd gotten a job as a cleaning lady, not a child care worker!

I felt like a slave, plus they were mean to the kids.

I quit but then I started at a new centre because a friend told me it was a nice place.  This one is fantastic, they are so nice to the children, and the cleaning is shared amongst all of us, not just the newest member of the staff.

I recommend you look around, and if you can't find a nice centre come to Brisbane Australia and work with me. Nobody would let you cry, we'd give you a hug and give you the support you need till you feel more confident!

Answer 7

Congratulations on your degree!

Personally - I think it IS worth it. I've worked with young children for over 10 years now. I was very young at the beginning and didn't realize, but I soon did - you have got to love what you do. It could be difficult to see right now, but think - if this is right for you, that feeling will come out of the back of your mind. If you hate it, or don't see yourself doing this in a couple of years, maybe you should consider a career change. (NOTE: I have found co-workers and parents can be difficult ANYPLACE esp. around almost all women)

My little story:

I began working for a small daycare when I was in a high school work/study program. Yes, I cried too. And believe me , the Minimum Standards were a lot lower. 1 person (ME, 16 years old - first day - 22 4 year olds BY myself - yes this was how I unknowingly began my career). At first, I wanted to quit every day. BUT I began to get the hang of it, and maintain, and boy, I learned a lot! I think I learned more from the children and those experiences than I did in any of my college courses. I ended up staying at the same job for almost 5 years. I continued to work there and go to school full time until 1999, when I transferred from community college to my university to finish my B.S. in Child Development, which I recieved in May of 2001.

Trying to make this long story not much longer, I now have a promising carreer as an Education Specialist for Head Start where I have worked for the past 6 years. I taught at HS for a few years after I graduated from college before being promoted. I enjoy spending time with all of the children and supporting all of the teachers in any way that I can. :) I do miss my classroom though.

Bottom lines

**The job of a teacher (regardless of what age/setting) is very rewarding and you never stop learning**. You have a lifetime career! **This has to outweigh the monetary compensation (or lack of)** or you will pretty much hate it.

AND You really can do anything you set your mind to!