Looking for Some Advice

[Molouu]

I am having a bit of a back and forth with myself on what to do and am looking for some insight and opinions.

I starting working in a daycare facility last year, previously I had been a nanny, and absolutely loved it. I really feel like I found my calling. I love making lesson plans, decorating my room, interacting with the children. However, the admin and owners were pretty awful to work for so I ended up quitting because I was enjoying being there less and less and I felt drained. I don’t regret leaving that place.

I did a working interview in another daycare and that one was crazy and disorganized and too much for me to handle. Teachers were just letting these kids run wild. I then almost worked in a third daycare, but decided to try leaving the daycare industry altogether and starting working in admin, where I have worked before. I make much more money doing this, however I feel so unfulfilled and bored all day long. My heart yearns to go back to teaching, but I feel like there won’t be a daycare that I mesh with and the pay is so much less than what I make. It’s hardly livable pay.

I keep going back and forth trying to decide if taking less pay is worth having a job that I would potentially love more. I am also working on my cda and know that hours working with children is needed to complete it. So I’m just not sure. If anyone has any opinions or advice they could give, I would truly appreciate it.

[Blackcat31]

I am having a bit of a back and forth with myself on what to do and am looking for some insight and opinions.

I starting working in a daycare facility last year, previously I had been a nanny, and absolutely loved it. I really feel like I found my calling. I love making lesson plans, decorating my room, interacting with the children. However, the admin and owners were pretty awful to work for so I ended up quitting because I was enjoying being there less and less and I felt drained. I don’t regret leaving that place.

I did a working interview in another daycare and that one was crazy and disorganized and too much for me to handle. Teachers were just letting these kids run wild. I then almost worked in a third daycare, but decided to try leaving the daycare industry altogether and starting working in admin, where I have worked before. I make much more money doing this, however I feel so unfulfilled and bored all day long. My heart yearns to go back to teaching, but I feel like there won’t be a daycare that I mesh with and the pay is so much less than what I make. It’s hardly livable pay.

I keep going back and forth trying to decide if taking less pay is worth having a job that I would potentially love more. I am also working on my cda and know that hours working with children is needed to complete it. So I’m just not sure. If anyone has any opinions or advice they could give, I would truly appreciate it.

Have you considered opening your own child care?

If that isn't something that is possible, there are other ways to be involved in early childhood than just working in a child care center.

Volunteering in children's programs, becoming a para in a public school classroom, helping in community organizations such as the library or museums or Head Start activities.

There are things in every community that include children that you could look into doing in order to fulfill that need to work with kids.

[jenboo]

I am having a bit of a back and forth with myself on what to do and am looking for some insight and opinions.

I starting working in a daycare facility last year, previously I had been a nanny, and absolutely loved it. I really feel like I found my calling. I love making lesson plans, decorating my room, interacting with the children. However, the admin and owners were pretty awful to work for so I ended up quitting because I was enjoying being there less and less and I felt drained. I don’t regret leaving that place.

I did a working interview in another daycare and that one was crazy and disorganized and too much for me to handle. Teachers were just letting these kids run wild. I then almost worked in a third daycare, but decided to try leaving the daycare industry altogether and starting working in admin, where I have worked before. I make much more money doing this, however I feel so unfulfilled and bored all day long. My heart yearns to go back to teaching, but I feel like there won’t be a daycare that I mesh with and the pay is so much less than what I make. It’s hardly livable pay.

I keep going back and forth trying to decide if taking less pay is worth having a job that I would potentially love more. I am also working on my cda and know that hours working with children is needed to complete it. So I’m just not sure. If anyone has any opinions or advice they could give, I would truly appreciate it.

in my opinion unless you get into a really really good early childhood center (like the ones at colleges) you most likely will be underpaid and not feel fulfilled working there after a few months. Its a rough industry.

I recommend looking into other careers that involve children or at BC mentioned, opening your own in-home daycare.
If I could go back, I would have become a childlife specialist.

[flying_babyb]

Last job search, I went on 14 interviews, was offered 4 positions, and spent forever deciding which one was right. I refused to work in a few cause they were horrible. I would say if its your calling, keep looking. Daycare teachers are under payed everywhere. Once you have your cda though, you will most likely make more money! I went from 10.50 to 12!

[Molouu]

Have you considered opening your own child care?

If that isn't something that is possible, there are other ways to be involved in early childhood than just working in a child care center.

Volunteering in children's programs, becoming a para in a public school classroom, helping in community organizations such as the library or museums or Head Start activities.

There are things in every community that include children that you could look into doing in order to fulfill that need to work with kids.

Thanks for the reply! I am working on my cda right now and when we buy our own house the end of this year I will hopefully have everything in place to start my own.

[Molouu]

Last job search, I went on 14 interviews, was offered 4 positions, and spent forever deciding which one was right. I refused to work in a few cause they were horrible. I would say if its your calling, keep looking. Daycare teachers are under payed everywhere. Once you have your cda though, you will most likely make more money! I went from 10.50 to 12!

Thank you for the reply! I am working on my cda now! All of the “good” daycares are so far from where I live, it’s a tough decision between wanting a job I love and wanting to be able to have a life outside of work and not be too drained to do home things and life things.

[racemom]

I don't know what kind of centers you have worked in, but I work in a privately owned small (50 max) and love it! We have smaller rooms, and more freedom to do our own planning. Our owner/director is onsite to help with problems or any issues that come up, but otherwise we do our own planning.