20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You start by greeting families, checking sign-in sheets (often in brightwheel or Tadpoles) and noting any health or schedule changes. Then lead group activities: reading, crafts, songs, and outdoor play; you also sanitize toys between sessions and supervise meals and naps.
Afternoons often include planned developmental activities, help with homework for older kids, documentation of progress in Seesaw or Google Classroom, and a final clean-up while communicating any issues to parents via email or the app.
Common systems are brightwheel and Tadpoles for attendance, photos, and parent messaging; Seesaw and Google Classroom for sharing schoolwork; and Microsoft Word or Office for policies, schedules, and reports. You’ll use a web browser to access these.
Learn the mobile apps too: parents expect quick updates and photos. Most centers train staff on their chosen platform, but basic skills are: uploading photos, adding notes, and exporting reports.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports about 518,910 people employed as childcare providers in 2025. The median pay is $34,980 per year, the lowest tenth earn about $24,260, and the top tenth about $46,010.
Pay varies by state, licensing, and employer (private home vs. center). Ask the employer for their pay scale and benefits during the interview.
Many jobs require a high school diploma and a Child Development Associate (CDA) or state equivalent for preschool centers. Courses to study: early childhood development, first aid/CPR, and special needs basics. Employers often list required credentials in the job posting.
If you’re starting, volunteer or assistant roles let you learn on the job while taking classes. Learn to use brightwheel/Tadpoles and basic Microsoft Office—centers expect those skills.
A childcare provider at a center manages groups, follows center routines, documents progress in systems like Seesaw, and helps with scheduling and supervising staff. A nanny usually works one family in their home and focuses on that child’s daily care.
A preschool teacher often plans formal lessons and may have higher education requirements; childcare providers balance routine care (diapers, naps, sanitizing) with developmental activities and parent communication.
Watch for missed milestones: poor eye contact, lack of speech that’s not age-appropriate, extreme withdrawal, or aggressive behavior. Keep notes in Seesaw or your center’s records with dates and examples; monitor progress over two to four weeks.
Report concerns to your supervisor and the child’s parents calmly, showing your documented observations. Centers often have protocols and may refer families to specialists; demonstrate leadership by following those steps and keeping records.
Yes, AI can draft lesson ideas, activity sequences, or sample parent notes, but never upload children’s photos or personal data into tools that aren’t approved by your center. Use AI for brainstorming; then edit details and check accuracy.
Follow your employer’s privacy policy and HIPAA/FERPA-like rules. Save final records in approved systems (brightwheel, Seesaw, Google Classroom, or Microsoft Office) and let a supervisor review sensitive messages.