Employers
Child care workers hold about 945,900 jobs in the United States. They are employed in child-care centers, preschools, public schools, and private homes. About 29 percent of these workers work in child care centers. Twenty percent of child care workers are employed by private households. Both the government and the private sector are working to provide for the enormous need for quality child care. Franchisers, like Primrose Schools Franchising Company and Kids 'R' Kids International, also provide employment opportunities.
Other child care workers are employed by elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities that have daycare centers, and religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations.
Starting Out
At your first opportunity, you should take part-time work at a child-care center, family child care business, or after school program to gain firsthand experience. Contact child-care centers, nursery schools, Head Start programs, and other preschool facilities to identify job opportunities. The U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services' Office of Child Care estimates that one-third of all child-care teachers leave their centers each year. Many positions are listed online at sites such as Indeed.com. Be careful to choose a child-care center where you are comfortable with their policies.