If you’re thinking of beginning a career in childcare, you will need to take into consideration a few important factors. If a career in childcare is the right fit for you, you will find it is unlike any other job. Working with children not only offers a wonderful work-life balance, with free weekends and many weeks of holiday, but it can be one of the most rewarding jobs out there.
Read on to discover some of the important factors to weigh up when deciding to work in childcare, so that you can figure out whether the fun-filled path of growth and development is for you.
Things to look forward to…
Childcare is an industry that offers lots of job security, as people continue to make children – they are also creating jobs too. Another advantage is that you get to work with many different children, creating an impact on each of their lives whilst learning and improving your own personal, and communication skills at the same time.
Children can be difficult, and you may have to resolve conflicts from time to time. This will require emotional and mental strength, although it is great to know that childcare workers generally don’t suffer from that much stress. Working with children may just put you back in touch with your own inner-child, and allow for you to do all the things you liked doing when you were little.
As well as learning things that may help if you want to raise a child of your own, you will also be in a position that avoids heavy physical work, as well as a classic office job.
You will likely find meaning in what you are doing – knowing that every single day you are making a change to someone’s life. Children will trust you – you will be working good hours, and parents will appreciate your work and the relief you offer them. What’s more – a lot of child care’s offer a range of experiences, such as Kiddi Caru activities encouraging singing, sign language, music and movement, painting, and so much more – creating an environment where, not only are you making a positive impact, but you are more or less just getting paid to play.
Things to look out for…
Firstly, children can be mean. This is something you should bear in mind if you are easily affected by other peoples’ opinions – whether they’re little people or not. Children haven’t necessarily learnt the right and wrong things to say, so could make surprising comments about the way you look – or point out things you’d rather keep hidden. Be prepared for brutal honesty!
A lot of parents will be thankful for your help in this career, however, like anywhere you go, there are always demanding customers – or in this case, parents.
You will also have to deal with difficult children sometimes, so it is vital you feel you have the emotional strength to cope with this, and not let it affect your mood, or the other children too much. You will need patience.
Overall, a career in childcare is not for the faint-hearted but is for the fun, loving individuals who want job security and to make a change to the world and lives of many others.
I think with childcare it seems to be a career path where you know straight away if you want to work with kids or not, but such a rewarding job I’m sure x
Kids are so brutally honest! Especially the younger ones. I sub teach at my kids elementary school so I’ve seen all ages at that level. They can also be so mean to each other sometimes. I wiped my fair share of tears from kiddos faces while there, too. But, on the other side, it’s so rewarding to watch their faces light up with understanding when you’re teaching a new concept or help a student with something they couldn’t grasp before and suddenly it clicks.
That is very very interesting! I never considered a career in childcare but i am sure it is fun and amazing.
I have no kids yet but I am taking care of my nieces. I guess parenting is really a challenge but at the same time, rewarding. They are so sweet and we are trying not to be strict with them.
These are such great tips for knowing how to handle different situations and things to expect within working in childcare. This is ideal for any future childcare professional.
My mom was a teacher so I knew early on it was NOT something I wanted to be a part of.
It is such a fulfilling job but just so tiring as the children will constantly need your attention. Such a great post for those wanting to get into the childcare sector.
These are all great tips for anyone that may want to work with kids in general. My daughter wants to be a nurse that specializes with children 😉
Childcare is such a great option if you enjoy working with kids. I have volunteered in classrooms before and I don’t think I am cut out for it!
I think this would be such a good option for my daughter!! It’s not what she wants to do though, so I don’t push it. 😉 I work with kids, but on a different kind of trajectory. It’s rewarding.
This is so interesting – it takes a lot to be apart of child care!
I remember my days as an assistant teacher for a kindergarten class. The kids sure can be mean, but they are just as sweet, adorable, and fun to be around. Thanks for sharing!
A career in childcare is very fulfilling, but I’m sure it takes a lot of patience 🙂
Working with children must be so hard at times but also very rewarding. I would love to be a teaching assistant.