Child care attendant vs child care associate

The differences between child care attendants and child care associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a child care associate has an average salary of $29,146, which is higher than the $27,542 average annual salary of a child care attendant.

The top three skills for a child care attendant include CPR, customer service and meal prep. The most important skills for a child care associate are kids, CPR, and customer service.

Child care attendant vs child care associate overview

	Child Care Attendant	Child Care Associate
Yearly salary	$27,542	$29,146
Hourly rate	$13.24	$14.01
Growth rate	36%	6%
Number of jobs	156,197	74,279
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	48	37
Years of experience	-	2

What does a child care attendant do?

Also called childcare workers, childcare attendants attend to children at private households, schools, businesses, and childcare institutions. Childcare attendants dress, bathe, feed, and oversee children. They manage and monitor children's safety in whatever way. It is part of their duties and responsibilities to organize learning activities and enforce a curriculum that allows children to explore their interests. They have to be equipped with necessary skills like decision making, communication, monitoring, being patient, and being enthusiastic.

What does a child care associate do?

A child care associate is primarily responsible for children's welfare and health care while their parents are away. Typically in a school setting, a child care associate monitors children's behavior while giving them tasks that enhance their academic and interpersonal skills, such as recreational games and coloring sessions. For younger learners, a child care associate may change diapers, prepare milk, and accompany them to the toilet. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to all the school's policies and regulations while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for the children.

Child care attendant vs child care associate salary

Child care attendants and child care associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Child Care Attendant	Child Care Associate
Average salary	$27,542	$29,146
Salary range	Between $17,000 And $43,000	Between $19,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Washington
Best paying company	Lifespan	WRMA Incorporated
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between child care attendant and child care associate education

There are a few differences between a child care attendant and a child care associate in terms of educational background:

	Child Care Attendant	Child Care Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	University of Virginia

Child care attendant vs child care associate demographics

Here are the differences between child care attendants' and child care associates' demographics:

	Child Care Attendant	Child Care Associate
Average age	48	37
Gender ratio	Male, 12.9% Female, 87.1%	Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 7.5% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	7%	4%

Differences between child care attendant and child care associate duties and responsibilities

Child care attendant example responsibilities.

Aid and facilitate higher functioning patients reach their fullest potential while managing behavioral episodes as needed.
Attend to the basic needs of patients, including physical therapy, companionship, food preparation and personal hygiene.
Assist with ADL and transport to Dr's appointments and shopping.
Obtain and evaluate patient medication regimens, allergies, lab values and past/current medication history utilizing electronic medical records.
Assist nurses in placing catheters, emptying and changing bags.
take vitals, give medications, fill oxygen tanks, empty catheters.

Child care associate example responsibilities.

Complete accurate and timely documentation on kids' behavior as outlined by policy.
Supervise and coordinate activities for the children such as teaching colors and ABC'S , 123'S.

Child care attendant vs child care associate skills

Common child care attendant skills

CPR, 26%
Customer Service, 24%
Meal Prep, 15%
Vital Signs, 6%
Companionship, 5%
Front Desk, 3%

Common child care associate skills

Kids, 24%
CPR, 18%
Customer Service, 16%
Nutritious Meals, 14%
Child Care, 12%
Homework Assignments, 5%

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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Child Care Attendant
Child Care Attendant vs Child Care Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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