1. 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.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

2. Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
child care
trend
nanny
au pair
entrepreneur
Child Development Associate (CDA)
mandated
comply
initiative
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

3. Demand for Early Childhood Professionals
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Demand for Early Childhood Professionals
The demand for high-quality child care continues to grow.
Americans rely on early childhood professionals to care for their young children.
Students who receive quality education before age five have been shown to have better academic scores and fewer behavior issues.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

4. Demand for Early Childhood Professionals
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Demand for Early Childhood Professionals
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.
child care
The broad term that describes any situation in which children are provided with supervision, support, and education by individuals outside the child’s immediate family.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

5. Demand for Early Childhood Professionals
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Demand for Early Childhood Professionals
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’.
trend
The overall direction in which a society moves within a given time frame.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

6. Early Care and Education Programs
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early Care and Education Programs
Today’s child care programs focus on meeting children’s overall developmental needs such as
secure attachments.
positive self-esteem.
nurturing children’s emerging skills and abilities.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

7. Early Care and Education Programs
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early Care and Education Programs
Child Care Centers
foster a family-friendly environment.
encourage parent participation.
refer families to services such as family counseling.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

8. Early Care and Education Programs
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early Care and Education Programs
Family Child Care Homes
A provider cares for children in his or her home
Requires a license or certification
Often less expensive than child care centers
Usually has fewer children than child care centers
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

9. Early Care and Education Programs
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early Care and Education Programs
A nanny may be hired to provide full- or part-time child care in a family’s home.
nanny
An in-home care provider who may or may not live with the family and usually works for one family at a time.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

10. Early Care and Education Programs
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early Care and Education Programs
When a family hires an au pair, both the family and the au pair can benefit from new cultural experiences.
au pair
A person from another country who lives with a family and cares for the children to receive exposure to American culture as part of his or her employment.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

11. Early Care and Education Programs
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early Care and Education Programs
In-Home Care
A caregiver, such as a nanny or au pair, provides care in the family’s home.
Caregiver may or may not live with the family.
Some caregivers offer their services on an emergency or on-call basis.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

12. Inclusive and Diverse Environments
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Inclusive and Diverse Environments
Early childhood programs and centers must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
comply
To obey or conform to something such as a rule, law, regulation, or wish.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

13. Inclusive and Diverse Environments
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Inclusive and Diverse Environments
Child care programs and centers cannot discriminate against people with disabilities, including children, parents, and guardians.
Child care professionals understand and accommodate the needs of children with disabilities and their families.
Child care professionals respect children and families of all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

14. Your Role in Child Care Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Success depends on a combination of your personal traits, attitudes, skills, and abilities.
Understand the characteristics that help a child care provider become successful.
Education and training can help prepare you for a career.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

15. Careers in Early Childhood
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
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.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

16. Working with Children Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early childhood programs are available at a variety of settings.
Boys and Girls Clubs
agencies and professional organizations
hospitals, hospices, shelters
libraries
zoos, gardens, nature centers
cruise ships, malls, fitness centers
before- and after-school care
intergenerational care centers
preschools and kindergartens
children’s museums
summer camps and recreation programs
school health center
state education boards
U.S. military bases
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

17. Choosing a Career Path Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
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.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

18. Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
If you would like to be your own boss and take on the risks and challenges involved in building a quality, profitable child care business, you may become a successful entrepreneur.
entrepreneur
A person who owns and operates a business.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

19. Provider Certification
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Provider Certification
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.
Child Development Associate (CDA)
A nationally recognized credential program for early childhood professionals.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

20. Provider Certification
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
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.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

21. Legal Responsibilities
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Legal Responsibilities
Anyone can report a case of child abuse or neglect; however, early childhood professionals are mandated to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect.
mandated
Required by law.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

22. Criminal Background Checks
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Criminal Background Checks
Many states require criminal background checks before being employed in child care.
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.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

23. Privacy and Confidentiality
Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Privacy and Confidentiality
It is your professional responsibility to maintain confidentiality.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of personal and educational records.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

24. Mandated Reporting Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Early childhood professionals are required by law to report suspected case of abuse or neglect.
Licensing laws may require that staff members receive training in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

25. Review Key Concepts Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
State three factors that contribute to the demand for early childhood professionals.
Extended families often live far away or are still in the workforce.
Single parents rely on quality child care so they can work outside the home.
In many dual-career families, both parents work outside the home.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

26. Review Key Concepts Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Identify characteristics of a successful child care professional.
enjoy working with children
good health
kind and compassionate
have a positive attitude
sense of humor
dedicated to children
respect diversity
problem-solving skills
understand child development
communicate effectively
consistency with children
adapt easily to changes
creative and resourceful
team player
reliable
display initiative
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

27. Review Key Concepts Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Name five places you can work with children.
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
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

28. Review Key Concepts Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers
Describe the responsibilities of a mandated reporter.
Early childhood professionals, along with healthcare workers and teachers, are required by law to report each suspected abuse or neglect case.
Child Care Today, Chapter 1: Early Childhood Careers

29. Chapter 1 Early Childhood Careers
End of
Chapter 1 Early Childhood Careers