Working in a daycare center..pros and cons?

Question

I'm going to start college in Aug. planning to get an associate degree in early childhood development. The degree focuses on kids ages newborn to 8 years old.

I really want to work in a daycare center with young children. I'm not really worried about how little the pay is or anything. My husband makes enough so that I don't have to work but I really think I'd enjoy it :)

Just wondering what's soo good and soo bad about it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

It is awesome.  As time passes and you run into children and their families and years later they say things like "You were the only teacher would loved my child", "I miss you, you were the best teacher I ever had".  "Thanks for taking time with that issue, you know it made a difference for our whole family by getting that behavior resolved".  Working with the kids and families is awesome and rewarding.  

Most of the time you are working with others who really enjoy what they do and do it for the love of the kids so you can really have a good time and be rewarded not only in your relationships with the children and families but the other staff as well.

The hard things as with anything are politics and procedures.  I worked for Head Start and over several years, they took away all holidays, became so worried about offering cultural diversity and fairness they stripped my classroom of what I felt represented the cultural diversity of my group.  I had developed my curriculum based on all the thing they teach you in school, basing it on the ebb and flow of my children, family and community.  Then at one point our agency adopted a cookie cutter curriculum and I had a big issue with that.  It was easier to go to day 34 of the program year and do this but just wasn't me.  

Finding the right place and the right fit you will have a very rewarding career.  It was the best job I ever had and if I was in an economic position that I could still be doing it I would.

Answer 2

I am currently taking classes for early child education and want to work into a daycare but don't yet. I think it will be really cool to work close with children and watch them grow.  I have been babysitting since I was 10 years old and love coming to work and seeing the kids just look at me and have a huge smile on there faces. You have to let kids know your there for them and just let them explore everything by there selfs but teach them as well. Good luck

Answer 3

Well i am getting my  Associate degree in early childhood development, and i'm working at a daycare.

well one thing about working in a daycare center vrs a preschool is that you dont always get to have a formal class room setting, or get to teach it feels more like babysitting then it does teaching although i try to teach a little something most of my kids come right out of preschool in to my room so their brains are warn out by the time iget them, so i do a little art, craft project, read them books ect, and let them play and explore for themsevles.  they kids i take care of are ages 4-6 so for the most part they are potty trained and doing a good job feeding themslves.  

Over all  I think if you Love working with children then You'd Love working in a daycare, its really rewarding and it can be alot of Fun!

Answer 4

its EXTREMELY tiring!!!..feed,change,keep active,teach etc. can get you tired. & it also gets boring reaaalllly quick because everything is going to be a routine..

the good thing about it is you get 2 breaks.. your lunch break and your break when they take naps!!!!!

Answer 5

Obviously, the best thing is the fact that you get to nurture your passion for children. Being around children, if you have the heart and desire, is soo rewarding. Seeing them develop from when they begin at the centers as infants until the move on to the higher preschool classes is amazing. You get to see how different each child  is and how differently each one does particular things. The amazement on their faces when they accomplish something, whether it be an infant standing or taking a first step, or an older child mastering the jungle gym or getting a problem right, is profound. Developing the relationships with the children and their parents is icing on the cake. When a child is happy to see you in the morning and runs to you (or reaches for you (infants)) and the mother happily and securely leaves them to you, is so touching. I had a one year old once who would come in walking so fast as soon as she saw me a raise her arms up for me, so excited. She was soo attached to me that she would not walk into my room if she didn't see me or would stop and not move in the hall if she saw me in the office clocking in. It melts my heart thinking back!

But, there are a few drawbacks and frustrations involved as well. One thing that is particularly hard is when you enter a classroom, regardless of their ages, as a new teacher and see that the children have had no consistent teacher or structure. The children are basically crazy because of the lack of structure and schedule. Time and patience are vital to getting the children back on track and settled in. It seems like at the end of they day you would rather pull all your hair out rather than come back in the morning. They will push your buttons to no end, blatantly not listen, run wild on the way anywhere, and just in general make you want to cry. But as long as you remember that they are children who need you and your calm guidance, it'll all work out in the end.

Sometimes, the office staff may be difficult to work with. Breaks sometimes come seldom if at all. The children have to have a constant certain number of staff members at all times supervising them. If even one person calls in, the whole center is effected. There room has to now be covered and there may not be anyone available to relieve you for a break or lunch. Prepare for this, it happens often!

Parents are a hard issue sometimes too. Lots of times they aren't going to be too happy to hear what you have to say about the child misbehaving. They may be rude. Sometimes infant parents are bad about not listening when you tell them what their baby needs (diapers, formula) and may go days without bringing it, adding more frustration to your mornings.

One more thing....for some strange reason, daycare workers are very gossipy and tend to form cliques. I have no idea why, but the majority of the non work related discussions are about other workers....its like high school except you get paid to be there!!

Wow, looks like I wrote you a book here!LOL!! Hopefully you gain some true insight and now what to expect!

Answer 6

I don't think I agree with Danielle. If you really LOVE what you do, it's not going to be as tiring or as boring as she says. You seem to know what you want ot do and what you love, so I think you would be great at doing it. I have either been working in a daycare or babysitting nonstop since I was probably 14 (that's over 14 years!!) I love being with young children. To me, it's so rewarding that on most days I don't get tired or bored. If you will be working in a daycare, as long as your class is above a certain number of children, you will have someone helping you out. Guaranteed, though, you WILL have some days where it doesn't seem like you've even had a chance to breathe, but that is with ANY job.

What is so good about it to me is being able to form a bond with these kids and to watch them learn and grow. It's alot of fun, too coming up with a learning plan for them. Now, don't get me wrong, it is HARD work, but well worth it.

On the other hand, the thing I dislike most is working with some of the women in childcare. You will form bonds with many of them, but there are some "bottom feeders", that look at it as just a job, are very young, and/or will complain and gossip to NOOO end. That irriates me, but I try to stay away from those people. Another thing you may not realize, especially working in a daycare, you will be cleaning... ALOT. Not just wiping down tables after lunch or changing diapers, but mopping the floor, sanitizing toys nightly, keeping the bathroom clean, rugs vacuumed, etc. Do beware, thought, if you are not a "lead teacher" as most daycares call the head of the room, you will probably be passed around to different rooms as needed, and not be stuck with a particular age group.

So, there's a few thing for you to think about, but since you seem to have such a passion for this field, I think you will be great and should not worry! A word of advice, once you DO find a place and start working there, if you are not sure which age you want to work with, ask if you can spend a week or so each in a few different rooms. That will give you more insight on where you fit in. I particularly like the 2 year olds. :)

P.S. A bonus - many parents will bring you gifts on the holidays. Especially the ones who see how much their child likes you and how much they like coming to your room.

Good Luck!!!