I want to be an assistant at a child care center. i have no ECE units yet. is this a good job?

Question

I am going to an interview at KinderCare tomorrow to be an assistant there for toddlers. I have no ECE units so i will be payed minimum wage. . $8.00 in california. how much would i be making at a child care if i had 12 ECE units? is this a good job? i love little kids, but i am very shy. i hope this is the job for me.

Answer 1

Hi there,

I do that too.  I love it.   You have to be into it, since you could probably be making more money scooping ice-cream, and it's a lot more strenuous.  But y'know my kids fill my life with light and joy, so that's fine with me.

I don't know about ECE units, but there's not a whole lot of money to be had in early childhood education in general.  I'm paid $10/hr, with a B.A. and various nifty credentials, and hired when they were desperate... that's the way it goes.

You probably won't feel quite as shy with toddlers; to them, you're a grown-up who knows everything ever and can probably lift cars.  It might even help with your shyness in the rest of the world.  You might be particularly good at paying attention to an overlooked quiet kid, although toddlers generally haven't really developed that far yet.

I guess it's best if you like using the skills involved -- you'll need some super playfulness, flexibility, and endless patience for repetition. Imagine interacting with them: building blocks and knocking them down and acting very surprised, helping them learn words by rambling about everything that's going on, diapers and snotty hugs, etc.  etc., and see if that's what you like.

Good luck!

Answer 2

even with the units its not a high paying job. but once you get your units you can be more than an assistant and make a little better money

Answer 3

If you are doing it for the money, then it is not worth it.  But if you are doing it because you love children, and want to get better with them, then do it.  Working in child care never pays a lot.  The people in this field should love kids and their job or it is not worth it.

Answer 4

People who provide child care aren't paid very well even if they have their ECE. If I were you and you have your own place I would get your ECE and state license and watch 1-2 kids in your home. You'll make more that way and it's less stressful. I hear that Cali has great programs for people wanting to start in home day care.