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Child care worker vs child care provider

The differences between child care workers and child care providers 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 worker and a child care provider. Additionally, a child care provider has an average salary of $33,145, which is higher than the $31,284 average annual salary of a child care worker.

The top three skills for a child care worker include child care, crisis intervention and behavioral issues. The most important skills for a child care provider are nutritional meals, child care, and CPR.

Child care worker vs child care provider overview

Child Care WorkerChild Care Provider
Yearly salary$31,284$33,145
Hourly rate$15.04$15.94
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs136,963119,940
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age3737
Years of experience22

What does a child care worker do?

A child care worker is responsible for providing care and supervision to children while the parents or guardians are away. A child care worker's duty may involve changing diapers and preparing milk for infants and toddlers, devise strategies or fun activities where children can learn, arrange schedules to fit their needs such as nap times, and prepare healthy meals and snacks. Aside from ensuring children's safety, a child care worker must also monitor any sign of emotional or developmental issues so it can be brought to the parents' attention as soon as possible.

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.

Child care worker vs child care provider salary

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

Child Care WorkerChild Care Provider
Average salary$31,284$33,145
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $49,000Between $23,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityWorcester, MAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkCARE
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between child care worker and child care provider education

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

Child Care WorkerChild Care Provider
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Southern California

Child care worker vs child care provider demographics

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

Child Care WorkerChild Care Provider
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 6.8% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

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

Child care worker example responsibilities.

  • Obtain certification in CPR to ensure minors would be properly resuscitate in an emergency.
  • Require to maintain continuing education in courses including passive restraint, standard first aid and CPR.
  • Complete accurate and timely documentation on kids' behavior as outlined by policy.
  • Create math, reading, bible, and art lessons.

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 worker vs child care provider skills

Common child care worker skills
  • Child Care, 39%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Behavioral Issues, 8%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • TCI, 4%
Common child care provider skills
  • Nutritional Meals, 25%
  • Child Care, 22%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Homework Assignments, 9%
  • Social Development, 4%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 3%

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