- 1). Prepare for your career as a day-care manager by babysitting while you’re still in high school. Offer to watch neighborhood kids and children in your family. Volunteer at day camps and church preschools to gain even more experience. Complete first aid and CPR certification courses during this time as well.
- 2). Stay out of legal trouble. You’ll have to pass mandatory criminal background checks that are required by all states for all types of day-care workers.
- 3). Research your state laws to learn which licensing and certifications are required for the day-care worker position.
- 4). Complete the mandatory training hours required from your state to become a certified, licensed day-care worker. You may also be required to complete other types of training, such as fire safety, health safety and child abuse prevention classes.
- 5). Apply for day-care positions while in school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most day-care workers must be at least 18 years of age. You’ll probably have to wait to apply for the manager's position until you reach the minimum age of 21.
- 6). Go to college and obtain a degree in teaching, child care or early childhood development. While some day-care management positions only require a high school diploma with child-care experience, you’ll probably need a four-year college degree if you ever hope to become a day-care director.
- 7). Earn child-care credentials from a recognized day-care organization, such as the Center for Child Care Workforce or the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
- 8). Submit an application for a manager's position at a day-care center. Dress professionally for the interview and be prepared to answer questions about your experience working with children, as well as what you enjoy about taking care of kids.
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