“At 13 I started babysitting neighborhood kids, and I made a lot of money in high school, especially in the summers. It just made sense to go into daycare work.

I’ve been at my current location for about seven years, which has been great as I’ve gotten to see a lot of the toddlers I took care of grow up and move into full time schooling. Daycare work can be physically and mentally challenging, but it can also be very rewarding. I’ve developed a strong support system with my colleagues, which can help you make it through more difficult situations either with the children or their families. It is really special work.”

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Job Description

SOC Code: 39-9011

Childcare Workers attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions.
Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Supervise students
• Communicate with children's parents
• Record keeping
• Teaching youth positive life skills
• Therapeutic interventions

General Work Activities:

• Mental Processes
  • Develop educational or training programs
• Interacting With Others
  • Discuss child development and behavior with parents or guardians
  • Provide counsel, comfort, or encouragement to individuals or families
  •  Assist individuals with special needs
  • Teach daily living skills or behaviors
  • Perform administrative or clerical tasks
  • Care for patients with mental illnesses
• Work Output
  • Arrange childcare or educational settings to ensure physical safety of children
  • Clean tools or equipment

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS).

Job Statistics

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

• Trident
• Greenville
• Upper Savannah
• Waccamaw
• Upstate
• Catawba

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

• Big Blue Marble Academy
• The Sunshine House
• GLEAMNS HRC
• Horry County Schools
• Charleston County School District

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Kindergarten Teachers
• Preschool Teachers
• Special Education Teachers
• Nannies
• Home Health Aides
• Personal Care Aides

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2024.

Learn More With SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.