Childcare providers are professionals who nurture, support and teach young children. They supervise the child's development in education and social settings, ensuring their emotional needs are met. The role of a childcare provider is more than just monitoring children. Even tracking a child's learning and helping them navigate their emotional and social development are not things anyone can claim to be able to do. It demands specialized knowledge, skills, and a deep passion for working with children. Caring for children can be a wonderfully rewarding job, and there are different career paths you can pursue to couple your ability and desire to work with children with other interests. Here, we discuss three reasons why professional development training is crucial for childcare workers.
To acquire a well-defined and well-integrated theory of child development
Whether you have tons of experience looking after young children, your sibling or younger family member, or none, professional training is an indispensable step to doing the job safely, responsibly, and comfortably—so everyone can feel confident in your expertise. It's not just about winning the trust of parents and superintendent, but Childcare providers who have completed professional development training understand the different stages of child development, from physical to emotional and social. They know the milestones children should reach at certain ages and can better support their learning and development by tailoring activities or interventions accordingly.
Be prepared for anything
The duties of a daycare provider are broad, and one of the most important is handling unexpected situations. Remember, you are the front-line advocate for hundreds of young children. An emergency can arise, and it can put the children in your care at risk if you do not know how to maneuver the situation. This is why professional development training is indispensable. Professional development training will equip you with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in effectively handling injuries, illnesses, or natural disasters. Yes, at times, the principal or director of the child care center will step in and take charge, but you should be ready to act as a first responder while professional medical help is on its way. Your training will also cover procedures for dealing with challenging behaviors or conflicts between children, ensuring that the safety and well-being of all children are prioritized.
Communicate openly
Talking with the parents if you have any questions or face any issues is something you'll do frequently if you are a childcare provider. Over time, you'll also communicate regularly with your colleagues and supervisors. In these situations, practical communication skills are vital. Parents, principals, directors, and managers everywhere appreciate steadiness, predictability, and clarity in communication. Your professional development training will cover all these areas and help benefit both the children in your care and the families involved.
References:
Dev, D., Garcia, A., Tovar, A., Hatton-Bowers, H., Franzen-Castle, L., Rida, Z., Reddish, L., Smith, J., Burger, C., Dinkel, D., Behrends, D., Hulse, E., & Sheridan, S. (2019). Contextual Factors Influence Professional Development Attendance Among Child Care Providers in Nebraska.. Journal of nutrition education and behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2019.09.011.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
MEET THE AUTHOR
Sheika Petteway, Chief ENCOURAGING Officer
She provides educational and leadership training to individuals and organizations. She is the founder and CEO of Elite Educational Enterprises and has several years experience serving in the early childhood education industry.