Article: Career Snapshot Child care a growing career field Providing a home away from home is a mix of human service, business; Career Snapshot Occupation Child Care Provider THE JOB Child care providers are not baby sitter. They are professionals who take care of children, create daily lesson plans, supervise activities, prepare food and generally do what is necessary to ensure that kids are safe under their watch. WORK HOURS Home care providers set their own hours, depending on the needs of their clients. Providers who work at centers generally put in regular daytime shifts. Extra hours are unlikely unless overtime is required. SALARY RANGE According to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin child care workers made an average of $6.87 per hour in 1996. Home providers charge fees based on their costs, the ability of their clients to pay and conditions in the local market. Providers who take care of infants may be paid more. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS State law requires that providers who care for at least four children, including their own, must be licensed, at least 18 years of age and high school graduates. To earn a license, providers must pass a 40-hour course. To work as teachers in child care centers, providers must pass a second 40-hour course. To receive a license for infant toddler care, an additional 12- to 15- hour class must be taken. LOCAL OPPORTUNITY Demand for child care remains strong in the Milwaukee area, especially for infants and toddlers. Turnover in the profession can be high, so opportunities are available in many areas. GROWTH TREND Over the long term, demand for child care fluctuates with the number of middle- and upper-class mothers who choose not to work full time, counterbalanced by the number of former welfare recipients entering the workforce, according to Diane Adams, director of the Wisconsin Child Care Resource and Referral Network. DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN About 96% of child care workers are women, according to Adams. PERKS You haven't lived until you've had Spaghetti-Os with 2-year-olds for lunch, said Mary Thorp, child care instructor at Waukesha County Technical College. Home providers have their own businesses and work at home. PITFALLS Home providers can feel isolated, especially if they don't have much contact with adults. The pay is relatively low. EXPERT ADVICE "Realize the stress of the job an plan (to prevent) burnout," counsels home provider Judi Brooks. She advises that workers rely on resources in the community. FURTHER INFORMATION Call Community Coordinated Child Care (4Cs) in Milwaukee at 562-2650; the Wisconsin Child Care Information Center at (800) 362-7353; the Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project at (800) 366-3556; or the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association at (800) 783-9322.

Article from:

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)

Article date:

September 2, 1998

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CopyrightCopyright 1998 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)