Day care teachers are sometimes responsible for caring for infants. This involves feeding them, changing their diapers, interacting with them and ensuring they spend the day happy and safe.
Teachers who work in day cares can also have a classroom comprising toddlers. These teachers design early childhood lesson plans that promote the social, intellectual and developmental growth of children.
Day care teachers who work with children between the ages of 3 and 5 plan a variety of lessons and activities designed to to teach social and basic academic skills. Day care teachers also seek to stimulate developmental growth and encourage preschoolers to participate in creative play.
Some teachers work with children between the ages of 5 and 11 who arrive after school. These children are too young to stay at home by themselves and go to a day care where responsible adults can watch them. A day care teacher engages them in activities older children will enjoy.
Traditionally, day care teachers do not earn a large salary. A job at a day care usually requires a high school diploma or GED, so pay rates can vary according to the child care center. Many day care teachers work overtime hours since parents might leave work late, get stuck in traffic or experience some other type of emergency.