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I used to work at a daycare! It was fun most of the time, and I even considered going back to school to get a degree in early childhood education. But then my mother talked me into finding a job that used my degree in journalism, so that was that!

Not for infants! Maybe for the toddlers since they do seem so cute and I love going to pick up my LO a little bit early so that I can watch their interactions.

I DO work at a daycare! I have an Elementary Education degree but I prefer working with younger kids. I got my Early Childhood Ed. License and here I am I got a job in September as a teacher for a state-funded pre-k classroom, but the funds won't come through until January (ugh, economy and budget cuts). So in the meantime, I am subbing at a daycare. I mainly work in the infant room and the 3/4 year old room. Before DH and I moved, I worked over a year at a preschool with the 3 year olds. I absolutely LOVE it! Makes the baby fever go out of control though (thankfully DH agreed to start TTC in a few months!).

No way. It's hard enough when your own child is whining, fussing, crying. I couldn't deal with a ton of other people's kids doing that.

You get burned out fast! I worked as a lead teacher at a daycare in the 3 yr old room for 2 years. I think the burned out feeling really depends on the daycare itself though. Ours was severely understaffed. This meant each of the teachers had their max capacity of kids (mine was 12) all by themselves. Trying to teach 12 toddlers while also having to do potty times, setting up and cleaning up snacks and lunches, get nap-time cots ready...it was impossible. Some teachers relied on the TV which I never felt right about. I started looking for jobs elsewhere after a year there. When I finally left, I cried for days. I still have pictures of "my kids" on my desk at work. I miss them so much! So yes, working with kids all day can be amazing! It's all the other stuff you have to be responsible for that really runs you into the ground.

I worked at one in high school, and loved it! The kids did wear me out, but you aren't alone with all of them, so it's not that bad! I would do it again too.

I'm a teacher so I work with kids all day long. Most of the time working with the kids themselves is great. It's dealing with all the other stuff like parents, coworkers, administration, etc. that gets tedious and tiring. And there are some day when the kids just drive me nuts but I have a higher tolerance for stupidity from a 5 year old than I do from a 25 year old so it's usually pretty easy to deal with.

I have worked in a daycare and I almost went into business with a friend opening up a daycare.

No, I don't think I could last. I used to teach summer school to elementary school kids. One summer I taught the kindergarten class and I was overwhelmed with their energy. I don't think I could keep up.

Nope! I was actually an Early Childhood Ed major until I had to go out and do observations at daycares/preschools. I love kids but after spending time in that environment, I couldn't do it. I did observations in a wide variety of places: public & private, so called "good" neighborhoods and "bad" neighborhoods, from newborns to kindergartners. The single thing that made the biggest impression on me was that most of the teachers seemed to be burned out and/or "phoning it in". And that was with me there observing! So I was left very disenchanted with whole shebang. So now I've switched gears and am working towards a degree in library science. Still working with children but in a different environment.

i don't think i could handle it. especially having to change diapers or clothes if they had an accident. wipe runny noses. get sick.

@abbydabbydoodlebug: agree completely! I taught in the 2.5- 3 year old class and I enjoyed it so much! My co-teacher and I had a great relationship and while we had some frustrating kids, it was usually a great place to work! I really hate that we moved and I had to leave that center

Can I just say that I LOVE that you guys seem to really appreciate daycare workers? Even though the cost of childcare is extremely high in most cases, the teachers usually don't get paid much at all. I really enjoy my job and I like to think that I'm a patient, nurturing person (as I can handle tantrums, accidents, wiping noses, etc.). My degree is in the education of older kids, but I choose to work with the younger ones (definitely not because of the pay lol). Its just really refreshing for others to acknowledge that they might not be able to handle it... makes me feel appreciated, especially when I've had a not so great day

I do work in one.LOL I teach GA Pre-K(4/5yr olds) state funded and I have a Master's in Education. I was looking for a school system job and found this one instead.(hard to find one in this economy.) We follow the school calender, so it's not too bad. Plus I see Baby Bear allday long, she's on break with me as well. Reason why I'm staying for a min.