• Child care workers care for children generally starting at 6 months of age.child playing image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
  
  Child care workers care for babies, young children and older children while parents are working, in training or through after-school programs. Child care environments are safe, comfortable and conducive to learning and creativity according to individual needs. Child care workers perform duties in home day cares, child care centers, preschool, elementary school and private homes. Child care is usually available for children ranging from 6 months to 12 years in age. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child care workers in the United States earn an average hourly wage of $9.12, as of 2008.
  
  

Education

• Generally child care workers need a high school diploma to begin entry-level child care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, depending on state regulations a child care worker may be required to complete a child development associate (CDA) credential to serve in this capacity. State regulations may also require college courses in child development or early childhood education. Child care programs funded publicly or by private firms may require this additional training. Education credentials may also include workers having a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.
  
  

License

• While the child care worker herself is not required to obtain licensure, the child care operation is which she works may be under this obligation. This may be the case in private or public child care facilities. An approved licensure means all child care workers pass a background check, get or have current immunizations and meet the guidelines of minimum training requirements.
  
  

Personal Qualifications

• It is beneficial for the worker to have previous experience working with children. People working in this capacity demonstrate speaking, listening and instructing skills. Child care workers exhibit problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills when tending to children and conversing with other staff, parents and guardians.