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Child care provider vs child care associate

The differences between child care providers and child care associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a child care provider and a child care associate. Additionally, a child care provider has an average salary of $33,145, which is higher than the $29,146 average annual salary of a child care associate.

The top three skills for a child care provider include nutritional meals, child care and CPR. The most important skills for a child care associate are kids, CPR, and customer service.

Child care provider vs child care associate overview

Child Care ProviderChild Care Associate
Yearly salary$33,145$29,146
Hourly rate$15.94$14.01
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs119,94074,279
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age3737
Years of experience22

What does a child care provider do?

A childcare provider is responsible for supervising a child's safety while developing fun activities and assisting the child's needs throughout the day. Childcare providers' duties include ensuring that facilities are safe for the child's use, monitoring the child's routines, serving healthy meals, assisting the child with homework, and reporting any concerns to their parents or guardians. Childcare providers must have excellent time-management skills and should be able to multi-task to attend with the child's needs.

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 provider vs child care associate salary

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

Child Care ProviderChild Care Associate
Average salary$33,145$29,146
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $47,000Between $19,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyCAREWRMA Incorporated
Best paying industryFinanceEducation

Differences between child care provider and child care associate education

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

Child Care ProviderChild Care Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Virginia

Child care provider vs child care associate demographics

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

Child Care ProviderChild Care Associate
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 9.5% Female, 90.5%Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage4%4%

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

Child care provider example responsibilities.

  • Provide first aid and CPR, prevention of the spread of blood borne pathogens and access of emergency services as needed.
  • Maintain necessary documentation for licensing as well as certifications including CPR.
  • Complete accurate and timely documentation on kids' behavior as outlined by policy.
  • Accumulate early childhood experience through daily interactions and continual training sessions.

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 provider vs child care associate skills

Common child care provider skills
  • Nutritional Meals, 25%
  • Child Care, 22%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Homework Assignments, 9%
  • Social Development, 4%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 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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