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There’s something captivating about the toothless smiles, innocent eyes, and infectious giggles of babies. Their pure joy can brighten even the gloomiest of days, and their need for love and care inspires a deep sense of fulfillment. If you’re one of those people whose heart melts at the sight of a baby, and you dream of turning this love into a career, you’re in the right place. This guide unveils five exciting and fulfilling career opportunities that let you do exactly that – spend your workdays immersed in the enchanting world of babies. So get ready, because your dream job might just be a scroll away!
These careers pay well and are inspiring. You would be surprised how much you can learn from babies (seriously). More than that, these careers are rewarding and challenging.
Nannies
We’ve all heard of Nannies (and some of us had them growing up). An interesting, challenging, and rewarding career.
- What They Do – Quite a bit, depending on who you work for. Responsibilities typically include taking care of one or more babies/children in their home. Feeding (maybe cooking), bathing, taking to and from school/nursery programs, and trips to the doctor. Some Nannies also do some housekeeping. Much also depends on if you are a “live-in” or arrive in the morning and leave in the evening.
- Training, Requirements, and Education Needed – Definitely CPR, good with kids (really?), good under pressure, attention to detail, and lots of patience. Training could include Nanny training courses (see below) and Nanny schools and, where possible, previous experience.
- How Much They Make – Much depends on the number of children, where you are located, previous experience/age, and the range of duties. However, according to care.com, full-time Nannies can expect to make $325 – $800 per week (depending on the specifics listed above) as a live-in and $8 – $20 per hour if they do not live in.
- Other Resources and Things to Consider –
- Hours, duties, and pay will play a huge factor in your “happiness” factor.
- Resources – Take a look at www.nanny.org, lots of resources and information here. Also, take a look at www.americannannyandparentinginstitute.com.
- Book Corner – Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care.
Daycare Workers
A quick definition of a daycare – according to Wikipedia.org – “daycare is the care of a child during the day by a person other than the child’s legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child’s immediate family.”
- What They Do –The main difference between daycare workers and Nannies is that daycare workers typically watch several children (from different families) at a location that is not in the home of the children. Additionally, daycare workers are not doing housekeeping, cooking, etc. Much of the day is spent on activities to keep the children occupied and to provide a learning experience as well.
- Training, Requirements, and Education Needed – Similar to Nannies, CPR and general first aid knowledge are critical. Many states provide training programs and some require some type of certification. There is a broad range of skills and training required depending on the location and organization. Your state and city will likely have a list of resources and training requirements.
- How Much They Make – According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, childcare workers typically make (on average) $9-10 per hour and $20,000 per year.
- Other Resources and Things to Consider –
- Hours, pay, and location are key things to think about when considering this career.
- Resources – myfuture.com has some information regarding training. Also, take a look at child care organizations (such as http://www.nafcc.org).
- Book Corner – Careers in Childcare
Infant Teachers
No, these are not infants who teach. Seriously though, this is the next step above childcare and nannies, generally requiring specific education and certification.
- What They Do – They help develop (and then teach) education programs for infants and young children up to 3 years or so). They are typically part of a teaching team which can also include teacher Assistants and aides.
- Training, Requirements, and Education Needed – These positions typically require a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education or a related field. Experience helps as well, depending on the position. Some type of certification is generally required and this is governed by the city, state, or county where the job resides.
- How Much They Make – According to glassdoor.com, salaries generally range from $24,000 to $31,000 depending on experience and education.
- Other Resources and Things to Consider –
- Where the jobs are – Lots of jobs are available.
- Resources – National organizations have the best resources, take a look at www.naeyc.org/dap/infants-and-toddlers.
- Book Corner – Early Childhood Education.
Baby Photographers
Another challenging and rewarding career. Everyone wants professional pictures of their babies.
- What They Do – Seems fairly obvious (but it is not). A baby photographer specializes in taking pictures of babies and newborn infants. This is typically done in a studio but can also be done in homes and other locations/events. Lots of props are needed, as is the ability to get the best baby expressions (not an easy task, but can be fun).
- Training, Requirements, and Education Needed – To start, you obviously need to be a good photographer. A portfolio always helps, especially if it includes babies and toddlers. Good equipment is a must-have as well. Getting hands-on experience (even if it includes babies plus other types of subjects).
- How Much They Make – A lot depends on whether you have your own studio, work for someone else or are a freelancer. If you work in a “chain” photography business, you will likely make somewhere between $9-$12 per hour. If you have your own business, $4,000 per month is about the average. If you get lots of projects, you could potentially make much more.
- Other Resources and Things to Consider
- Where the jobs are – If you are looking to hook up with some experience, try this link – professional photographer jobs.
- Resources – Photographer organizations are the best place to start. Try www.ppa.com.
Newborn Specialists
– A newborn specialist is more typically called a baby nurse.
- What They Do – A Newborn Specialist provides assistance to parents after they bring the baby home from the hospital. This includes feeding, bathing, diaper changes, and help with breastfeeding and more. They also help with sleep training and development.
- Training, Requirements, and Education Needed –The more training the better. There are certification programs that you can take (like ICT).
- How Much They Make – Hourly rates range from $18 to $25 depending on how many babies you care for. According to indeed.com, annual salaries can be as high as $40,000 per year.
- Other Resources and Things to Consider –
- Where the jobs are – Click the following link for a list of Newborn Specialist Jobs.
- Resources – Here too, national organizations have the best resources – NCSA.
- Book Corner – Maternal child nursing care.
If you want to start a daycare, then get this guide now. In this step-by-step guide, you will discover the secrets of how to start, run, and succeed in your own daycare.
