There are so many reasons why people work with kids!
Maybe you love to get messy with them and play, or maybe you love helping them learn. Either way, there is a perfect job for you if you want to work with kids!
What Makes Kids So Great?
These little guys are adorable, and it’s pretty hard not to fall in love when you meet one.
They’re also really intelligent, creative, and sensitive – there’s no doubt about it!
You might have even noticed that they can say things like: “let’s go make the world’s best cupcake” or “I’m going to make a rock farm.” That type of creativity is pretty impressive for people who are so young.
Why is it Important to Work With Children?
Kids are the next generation, and it’s pretty important to help guide and teach them.
When we think about how the world is going to look in a few years, it’s important that we get involved in helping out.
There are so many wonderful things you can do when you work with kids! There are things like teaching them in the classroom or helping them learn basic skills they need, like math.
Don’t forget you can also make sure they have fun too by playing games and doing outdoor activities.
Here are a few jobs that might suit you.
1. Teacher
The obvious job when someone says, “I want to work with kids,” is to become a teacher, and it’s a pretty good idea.
You get to help kids learn and have fun while you get paid to do it.
It’s a great job with lots of benefits like paid vacation, retirement, and great fringe benefit options. The salary of a teacher isn’t too bad either, especially if you work in one of the top-performing schools. You may find preschool teacher jobs in Canada on Jooble.
2. Pediatric Nurse
If you’re serious about working with children and ensuring they are healthy and happy throughout their lives, then the role of a pediatric nurse practitioner is going to be perfect for you.
As a pediatric nurse, you will get to learn all about different medical conditions that can affect kids.
All you have to do is follow a program of study and show you have the skills and knowledge needed to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
3. Babysitter or Nanny
If you love to play with kids and feel like you have a great head on your shoulders, a job as a babysitter/nanny is probably for you!
It’s a perfect job to be the kids’ “second parent” and make sure they have fun while their parents are busy.
You can supervise them, play with them, and keep them out of trouble. Plus, you’ll probably get paid very well for your efforts!
4. Child Care Worker
Also known as a daycare provider, here you’ll really get to put your skills and knowledge to good use.
As a childcare worker, you’ll take care of lots of different children at once, but don’t worry – it won’t be as hard as it sounds.
5. Child Psychologist
As a child psychologist, you’ll get to help children figure out and improve upon their problems.
It’s really inspiring to work as a child psychologist because you get to see the hard work pay off each day.
Child psychologists usually work within schools and get to do lots of other things like teaching, administration, and research.
6. Child Development Specialist
Child development specialists work with children who have special needs or developmental delays.
These specialists get a chance to help the children with their growth and development.
They also focus on helping kids with disabilities and other health issues by creating plans for treatment or assisting in treatment planning for them.
7. Early Childhood Educator
If you want to spend more time helping children but maybe don’t want the full-time commitment of a teacher or the stress that can sometimes come with it, then an early childhood educator position is perfect for you.
You can work with and help kids in pre-schools, kindergartens, or daycare centers and still be part of an educational team.
You’ll get to play with the kids pretty much every day and do most of the teaching on your own.
8. Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten teachers spend a lot of time in school and love working with pre-school students.
They often spend most of their time making sure that each child learns the skills they need to become successful adults.
9. Parent Educator
Also known as parenting educators, these professionals work with parents to teach them how to best support the development of their children.
They often help parents by providing practical tools, skills, and parenting tips that can help in day-to-day life.
This is an important role because parents have a major impact on their children’s lives, and it’s important for them to be supported.
10. Respite Worker
Being a respite caregiver is really rewarding because you get to spend time with kids, and it gives their parents a break from their children.
Respite workers often help with things like bathing, dressing, or feeding. You might also help with transportation and errands as part of your responsibilities.
11. Child Care Center Director
Many families are looking for someone who can take care of their children while they’re at work or are on vacation, which makes being a child care center director an amazing job opportunity.
You’ll have to set policies and procedures and answer staff questions as well. You’ll also need to make sure the children are safe and happy while they’re under your supervision.
12. Child Care Licensing Specialist
Child care licensing specialists work in child care centers, schools, family child care facilities, or child daycare programs in order to review the day-to-day operations of those facilities in order to make sure kids are safe and properly cared for.
You might work with the staff or customers of these locations in order to help them understand their requirements for licensure or accreditation.
How To Decide Where To Work
The best way to choose where you want to work is to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in a company.
If you’re new to the job market, then it’s a good idea to focus on finding your first job. After that, you can look for bigger and better opportunities as your resume grows.
Here are some questions that help people decide where their ideal place of employment would be:
- Where do I see myself in five years’ time?
- What are my strengths and weaknesses?
- What are the job requirements?
- What would I like to work on in the future?
- Will I receive enough training to do what I’m hired to do?
- How much time will I have to get ready, get to my workplace, and leave? Most jobs working with kids can’t be done from home.
- How many days or hours of training do they expect me to put in before starting on the job?
Paid vs. Unpaid Jobs That Involve Working With Kids
Many people decide to take on a job working with kids without getting paid. Working in a volunteer or apprenticeship position is an excellent way to get the experience you need while building your resume.
It might also help you decide whether or not this career path is right for you.
Volunteering
If you’re looking for a way to volunteer or find an opportunity to work with kids, even if it’s unpaid, then volunteering is the way to go.
There are a variety of organizations and programs that welcome volunteers on their teams.
Some help kids with disabilities and special needs, while others work with underprivileged children.
You can also search for places that need volunteers at your local hospital, school system, or children’s hospital. Many of them welcome volunteers from all ages and backgrounds.
Apprenticeship Programs
Many people choose to get into the field of working with kids by signing up for an apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeships give you the proper training and experience needed to work for a certain company.
Even if you don’t get hired by your employer, you can still use your training to find a job in other industries.
There are hundreds of apprenticeship programs available in different industry sectors.
Getting The Most Out Of Your Career
Employment options for those who want to work with children are always growing because there is such a need for more.
You can start looking now and find an amazing opportunity regardless of whether you’re a recent graduate or have been working for years.
If you decide you want to start working with kids, then it’s important to have an open mind. You need to look at your options and think about if this is really the right time for you.
There are many opportunities available, but make sure that they fit your personal and professional needs before committing to anything.
You’ll also want to choose your future career based on your personality, what you’re good at, and what you actually enjoy doing.
There are some people who are passionate about working with kids, even if they don’t receive direct cash benefits from it.
If you love working with kids, then it’s a great idea to incorporate them into your life in some way.
It doesn’t matter if you work with kids on the side or make a career out of it. There are so many options out there for your to choose from!
