What Does a Child Development Career Entail?
Are you considering a career in child development? If you enjoy working with and caring for young children, this may be a good fit for you. Childcare workers hold positions in which they are responsible for attending to the basic needs of children. This includes dressing, bathing, feeding, and overseeing play. In some cases, these professionals help prepare children for kindergarten or assist with homework assignments.
Child development professionals may work in a variety of settings. Many work for child daycares, elementary schools, or private households. A significant percentage of them are self-employed and offer childcare services from their own homes. Some of the most common child development career options include:
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Components of a Successful Career in Child Development
Not everyone is well-suited for a career in child development. While working with and caring for small children can be a very rewarding experience, it is also extremely challenging at times. These professionals have various responsibilities and must demonstrate proficiency in many different areas. The most successful child development workers possess the following qualities:
- Communication skills that allow for constructive conversations with parents and other colleagues, including the effective relay of child progress
- Decision-making skills that demonstrate good judgement and the ability to respond to difficult situations or emergencies
- Compassion for others and a dedication to helping children prepare for successful futures
- Instructional ability to explain things in terms that young children can more easily understand
- Interpersonal skills that allow for productive interactions with children, parents, and other colleagues
- Patience when working with children of varying ability levels and backgrounds
- Physical stamina necessary to remain active throughout the day
What Do These Teachers Do?
While responsibilities vary greatly from job to job, child development professionals typically supervise and monitor the safety of children. They also prepare and organize mealtimes, help maintain good hygiene, organize activities, implement curriculum, teach children about the world, and develop a diversified daily routine. Those who work with very small children will also change diapers. In most cases, these professionals are responsible for watching for signs of emotional or developmental problems, as well as reporting developmental progress to parents.
Typical Online Educational Requirements
If you are interested in enrolling in a child development program offered by a trade school, you will have to complete the necessary requirements. In most cases, these include:
- Being at least 16 years old (although some programs set 17 as the minimum)
- Holding a high school diploma or GED
It is important to realize that some community colleges offering vocational training may have additional requirements. They may, for example, stipulate that you have certain standardized test scores (SAT or ACT).
Typical Certifications Needed
Certification requirements vary per state. While most do not require entry-level employees to hold a national recognized credential, many states do expect individuals in higher positions to do so. Most frequently, child development professionals obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
The CDA credential is offered by the Council for Professional Recognition. Candidates must hold, at minimum, an associate or bachelor degree from an accredited institution in one of the following:
- Early Childhood Education / Child Development
- Elementary Education / Early Childhood Education
- Home Economics / Child Development
Additionally, candidates will need two to four years of professional experience in a child care setting, serving children from birth to five years old.
Academic Standards for a Degree or Certification
Whether you plan to pursue an online associate degree or complete a certificate program at an accredited institution, you will be expected to meet certain academic standards. All vocational schools, colleges, and universities set guidelines for their students. While expectations vary, the most common is a minimum grade point average (GPA).
GPAs are measured on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA drops below the institution’s minimum average, you can be placed on academic probation or suspension. Most schools also have very strict policies regarding cheating and plagiarism. If you are caught breaking either of these rules, it can result in academic probation, suspension, or even permanent dismissal.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a this degree or certification online?
Generally, it takes most full-time students two years to complete an online associate degree in child development. College certificate programs, however, can take less time to finish. Because this can vary, it is important that you pay close attention to the necessary graduation requirements and anticipated graduation timeframes before enrolling.
How much does an online program cost?
The total cost of your trade school degree in child development can vary significantly. The amount you will be expected to pay is impacted by the school type, program of interest, and location. According to the College Board’s Trends in Higher Education Series, students paid around $26,000 for in-state tuition to attend one year at a four-year public institution. The average total cost to attend a two-year trade school, on the other hand, is closer to $3,600.
How many students graduate “on time,” or within 12 to 24 months?
Most online degree and certificate programs will advertise average graduation timeframes on their websites. An associate degree generally takes two years to complete, while most certificate programs take less. Some institutions have stricter requirements that can cause delays. It is important to verify expected graduation timeframes and rates prior to enrolling.
What kind of accreditation does the online program hold? How it is regarded in the field?
When looking for a certificate or degree program, it is very important that you pay close attention to institutional accreditation standings. Accrediting agencies work with field experts to establish academic standards and requirements. While schools are not required to be accredited, the institutions that do go through the accreditation process offer programs that are regionally or nationally recognized. If you choose to earn a degree from a college that is not accredited, you may have trouble transferring credits, becoming certified, and/or finding employment.
One prominent accrediting agency to look for is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This organization currently accredits 1,300 associate degree programs. Other acceptable regional accreditation agencies include:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
If you opt for a regionally accredited institution, note that your certificate or degree may not hold as much weight if you relocate to a different region in the future.
Professional Organizations
Childcare workers and students studying to become childcare workers can choose to become a member of a professional organization at the state, national, and international level. While these associations and societies differ, they all offer certain benefits to their members. Advantages of joining typically include access to resources, discounts, training, certifications, and networking opportunities.
Some of the most prominent professional organizations, associations, and societies for child development professionals include:
ACEI
Association for Childhood Education International
The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) is driven by the belief that education is an essential part of development. The organization is committed to using education as a tool to achieve global development and sustainability. Members have the opportunity to expand their education and knowledge, enhance professional skills, apply for grants, network, and share knowledge with others.
CCAA
Child Care Aware of America
Child Care Aware of America is dedicated to advancing the affordability, accessibility, development, and learning of children in child care. As the only non-profit organization that solely focuses on child care, it works with more than 400 child care resource & referral agencies nationwide. Members receive free leadership training, access to research, networking opportunities, and more.
NAEYC
National Association of the Education of Young Children
The National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) strives to promote high-quality learning for young children. They use research to influence practice and policy. NAEYC is made up of 60,000 individual members and 50 affiliates. Members gain access to resources, networking, discounted insurance, special events, lower tuition rates, and subscriptions.