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Lead teacher vs child care teacher

The differences between lead teachers and child care teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead teacher has an average salary of $33,652, which is higher than the $26,036 average annual salary of a child care teacher.

The top three skills for a lead teacher include CPR, customer service and child care. The most important skills for a child care teacher are child care, child development, and CPR.

Lead teacher vs child care teacher overview

Lead TeacherChild Care Teacher
Yearly salary$33,652$26,036
Hourly rate$16.18$12.52
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs56,131139,010
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4344
Years of experience2-

What does a lead teacher do?

The Lead Teacher works with parents to resolve student issues and train new teachers on effective teaching techniques. A Lead Teacher is a licensed teacher with extensive teaching experience and preferably has a master's in education or related studies. They are an integral part of a school's faculty and the principal's arm in drafting policies for implementation.

What does a child care teacher do?

A child care teacher is responsible for educating young learners, observing their personal and social behaviors. They also prepare engaging and fun activities for the children, ensuring their safety and security. Child care teachers assist the children's daily activities and provide progress reports and updates to the children's parents for any concerns and support needed. They also maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities by adhering to the safety standards and protocols. A child care teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills and implement learning methods that would fit the curriculum.

Lead teacher vs child care teacher salary

Lead teachers and child care teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead TeacherChild Care Teacher
Average salary$33,652$26,036
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $14,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyGoogle
Best paying industry--

Differences between lead teacher and child care teacher education

There are a few differences between a lead teacher and a child care teacher in terms of educational background:

Lead TeacherChild Care Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityDuke University

Lead teacher vs child care teacher demographics

Here are the differences between lead teachers' and child care teachers' demographics:

Lead TeacherChild Care Teacher
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 10.8% Female, 89.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage12%6%

Differences between lead teacher and child care teacher duties and responsibilities

Lead teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and implement theme and project-base lessons that incorporate math, literacy, science, physical development, and social/emotional skills.
  • Cultivate and foster safe and effective learning environment conducive for Pre-K students.
  • Model positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.
  • Develop lesson plans on a bi-weekly basis that comply with early childhood standards and relate to the weekly theme.
  • Require CPR certification and ongoing continuing education.
  • Develop programs that introduce math and literacy concepts.
  • Show more

Child care teacher example responsibilities.

  • Maintain annual CPR training certificate.
  • Perform simple first aid and CPR in emergencies.
  • Coordinate activities for and supervise Pre-K after school students.
  • Promote language development skills through reading and storytelling.
  • Facilitate student learning by implementing IEP adaptations and strategies.
  • Operate van safely when driving residents, adhering to reasonable cleanliness standards and notifying appropriate personnel of maintenance concerns.
  • Show more

Lead teacher vs child care teacher skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common child care teacher skills
  • Child Care, 34%
  • Child Development, 16%
  • CPR, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Kids, 7%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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