Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

There is a high demand for qualified professionals to work in early childhood careers. These jobs require specific• characteristics.• skills.• education.• training.• responsibilities.

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Demand for Early Childhood Professionals


• WILL keep growing.• Dual Income homes.• QUALITY education before age five leads to

better academic scores and fewer behavior issues.

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Parents who work outside the home during the early years of their child’s development find that choosing good child care is one of the most important decisions they can make for their child.

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Child Care:




A growing trend over the last several decades indicates that almost two-thirds of all children under age five spend some time in someone’s care other than their parents’.

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Trend:


Early Care and Education Programs


Child care programs focus on overall developmental needs such as

• secure attachments.• positive self-esteem.• nurturing children’s

emerging skills and abilities.

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• foster a family-friendly environment.

• encourage parent participation.

• refer families to services such as family counseling.

Child Care Centers

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• A provider cares for children in the provider’s home• Requires a license or certification• Often less expensive than child care centers• Usually has fewer children than child care centers

Family Child Care Homes

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A nanny may be hired to provide full- or part-time child care in a family’s home.


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Nanny:



When a family hires an au pair, both the family and the au pair can benefit from new cultural experiences.


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Au Pair:




• Nannies and Au Pair• May not live with the family.• Some caregivers offer their services on an emergency or on-call

basis: Who are these people?

In-Home Care

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Inclusive and Diverse Environments


• Programs and centers should n not discriminate against people with disabilities.

• Centers need to accommodate the needs of children with disabilities and their families.

• Professionals respect children and families of all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

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Your Role in Child Care


• YOUR success depends on a combination of your personal traits, attitudes, skills, and abilities.

• YOU SHOULD POSSESS characteristics that help a child care provider become successful.

• Education and training WILL help prepare you for a career.

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Careers in Early Childhood


Training in the field of early childhood care opens many career opportunities, including• owning or managing a child care center.• working with children and parents as a social worker or

other human services professional.• teaching other adults about children.

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Working with Children


Early childhood programs are available at a variety of settings.How many ways can you think of where interact or work with children?

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Choosing a Career Path


• Setting educational and career goals is the first step in planning your career.

• Education, training, and experience vary by specific job and location.

• Each state sets its own standards, so find out about your state’s requirements.

• Look for intern or volunteer experiences to find out if this career is right for you.

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The Child Development Associate credential is offered in four areas: infant/toddler caregivers in center-based programs, preschool caregivers in center-based programs, family child care providers, and in-home home care.

Provider Certification

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Child Development Associate (CDA):


Provider Certification


• Federal, state, and county or city government agencies have created certification and credentialing programs.

• The board of education in each state determines certification requirements.

• Many states require the CDA credential or similar training and education.

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• ND requires criminal background checks before being employed in child care.

• What happens if there is criminal activity?

Criminal Background Checks

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If a background check reveals criminal activity involving children, state law requires that the employer reject the candidate or dismiss him or her if already hired.



• It is YOUR responsibility to maintain confidentiality. How do we do this?

Privacy and Confidentiality

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Name five places you can work with children.

Review Key Concepts


Any five:

Boys and Girls Clubs; resource and referral agencies; hospitals or hospices; libraries; zoos, gardens, nature centers; cruise ships, shopping malls, fitness centers; shelters; professional organizations; before- and after-school care; family education agencies; high school or university child care centers; intergenerational care centers; kindergartens; mental health agencies; children’s museums; parks and recreation programs; prisons with in-house child visitation; public or private preschool programs; school health center; state education boards; summer camps and sports clinics; U.S. military bases


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Documents

Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers