Bachelor's Degree in Child Care Management

Research indicates that the first five years of a child's life are the most critical in terms of overall development. Can you provide the long-term commitment necessary to benefit young children, their families, and the communities in which they live and work? Then, you should consider education within a child care diploma program and a career in the worthwhile and rewarding child care industry.

Highly sought after by employers, child care bachelor's graduates easily obtain career advancements. They receive excellent employment opportunities in a variety of early childhood settings including nursery schools, child care centers, family day homes, inclusive child care programs, out of school programs, and kindergarten..

Well prepared for administrative positions within the child care field, diploma graduates often qualify for supervisorial positions in child development. Graduates of diploma programs are typically qualified to care for infants and children from birth to adolescence. They often find work as Nannies, daycare workers, preschool aides, in-home child care providers, and hospital daycare providers. Some continue their education and earn a related associate or bachelor's degree. Those wanting to teach often study elementary education. Other graduates interested in opening their own daycares may decide to pursue a business degree instead.

Child care Bachelor's degree programs generally require 120 credits and take 4 years to complete. Usually provided by technical colleges, they often require many of the same classes as certification programs, in addition to some basic general education courses. Child care diploma students are typically required to participate in an internship. Practicum courses also play an integral part in a student's child care education as they apply the theories learned to actual practice. Practicum is scheduled throughout many diploma programs and once students complete the prerequisite requirements for a particular session, they must then complete it before proceeding to the next level of theory.

Child care students study the general education subjects of English, Math, Science, and computers, in addition to education-related classes. These courses include teaching diverse groups, creative children's projects, developing reading skills, playtime and fitness activities, and children and families. Diploma program students also take courses in early childhood, infant and toddler care, young children environments, guiding children's behavior, and supporting child play. Child development, school age care, language and literacy, and working with families, encompass additional classes taken in these programs. Other topics discussed are the child, family, and community, interpersonal communication, and human services program administration.

Students acquire the skills necessary to meet the psychological, intellectual, physical, emotional, social, language, and communication needs of children in care. They also learn to care for babies and children, ensure healthy and safe environments, work in partnership with families, and organize experiences to foster, enhance, and facilitate child development and creativity. Child care diploma programs also teach students how to design and implement plans for the inclusion of children with special needs, developing cooperative behavior, and children's programs and care routines. Participants also learn to research, gather, and interpret information about children, manage workplaces to ensure quality and address regulations, and create and promote policies and procedures.

Possible Child Care Management Careers

- Pre-School Instructors
- Child Care Worker/Director
- Social Services Agent
- YMCA
- Summer Camps

Own Your Own Child Care Business

Steps in Starting your own Child Care Business
1. Education – The first step is to earn your degree. It is recommended to earn your Bachelor’s degree in child care management as trains you on business related courses. These business courses will help you especially if want to open up your own business.

2. Experience – It is always a good idea to first get some experience for a few years at a child care facility. The reason why this is good is it allows you to see firsthand how to proper run a business. You’ll learn how to hire individuals and how to budget for the facility.

3. Marketing – One of the hardest things for any child daycare business to do is properly market their business. Marketing is the key to survival for the business. During your Bachelor’s Degree you’ll receive the tools to help you build your business.

4. Finance – Starting a child care business can be expensive. Often people get partners or even a bank loan early on to finance their dream of owning their own business. We recommend starting slow and not taking on any 3rd party partnership or special financing. If you can save the money you’ll be happier later on when the business starts to make money and you don’t have to split it with a partner.

5. Insurance – One of the first things you need to do is look into what kind of insurance you need to get before you open. Because you are responsible for the children that you take care of it is often necessary to get additional insurance and umbrella policies that will cover not only your building but the employees that work for you.

6. Staffing – One of the biggest advantages you’ll first figure out is when you hire employees that they do not have to be licensed teachers. Often daycare facilities hire former teachers. You will need to run detailed background checks on all of your employees.

Salary

As a child care employee you can make on average $45,260 per year. The education industry is expected to grow 7% however over the past few years the for-profit side of the education industry as decreased. Owners of child care facilities can make more and is also expected to increase.