Child Care Specialist Jobs
Child Care Specialist jobs are open across daycare centers, school districts, early intervention programs, and residential facilities, at every level from entry-level aide to lead specialist and program supervisor, with specializations in infant and toddler care, developmental support, and behavioral intervention. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 750+ Child Care Specialist jobs
Child Care Substitute Teacher
Grow your teaching career with Bright Horizons, where you can make a meaningful impact on children’s lives every day. Learn from early education experts while having the opportunity to pursue a CDA or college degree at no cost. Experience this and more as a Bright Horizons Substitute Teacher.
We are hiring a part-time temporary substitute teacher, working varying hours as the center needs.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with hands-on activities to meet the needs and interests of the children
- Maintain open communication with parents, sharing their child's daily milestones
- Ensure a safe and clean classroom by following essential procedures and guidelines
Qualifications:
Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
- 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is required
- 1 year of experience working in child care, daycare, or preschool settings is preferred
- CDA, Associate, or bachelor’s degree in early education or related field is preferred
Join us to create a safe, nurturing environment that supports children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create engaging curriculum that shapes future learners and leaders. Discover where your passion and a career at Bright Horizons can lead you – all in an inclusive workplace where you can be you. Apply today and explore the possibilities!
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide supervision, care, curriculum delivery and services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.
The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.
Compensation:
The hourly rate for this position is between $19.60 - $24.45 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.
Benefits:
Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Life insurance
- Long-term and short-term disability insurance
- Career development opportunities and free college degrees through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program
Also, new employees in this role receive 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours worked if hired in Washington state, and sick leave as specified by local law if hired in other locations.
Life at Bright Horizons:
At Bright Horizons, you’re more than your job title — you’re the difference. Whether you’re nurturing a child’s first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We’re a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future — for yourself and for others.
Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Child Care Substitute Teacher
Grow your teaching career with Bright Horizons, where you can make a meaningful impact on children’s lives every day. Learn from early education experts while having the opportunity to pursue a CDA or college degree at no cost. Experience this and more as a Bright Horizons Substitute Teacher.
We are hiring a part-time temporary substitute teacher, working varying hours as the center needs.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with hands-on activities to meet the needs and interests of the children
- Maintain open communication with parents, sharing their child's daily milestones
- Ensure a safe and clean classroom by following essential procedures and guidelines
Qualifications:
Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
- 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is required
- 1 year of experience working in child care, daycare, or preschool settings is preferred
- CDA, Associate, or bachelor’s degree in early education or related field is preferred
Join us to create a safe, nurturing environment that supports children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create engaging curriculum that shapes future learners and leaders. Discover where your passion and a career at Bright Horizons can lead you – all in an inclusive workplace where you can be you. Apply today and explore the possibilities!
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide supervision, care, curriculum delivery and services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.
The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.
Compensation:
The hourly rate for this position is between $19.60 - $24.45 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.
Benefits:
Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Life insurance
- Long-term and short-term disability insurance
- Career development opportunities and free college degrees through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program
Also, new employees in this role receive 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours worked if hired in Washington state, and sick leave as specified by local law if hired in other locations.
Life at Bright Horizons:
At Bright Horizons, you’re more than your job title — you’re the difference. Whether you’re nurturing a child’s first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We’re a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future — for yourself and for others.
Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
See All 750+ Child Care Specialist Jobs
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Find Child Care Specialist JobsChild Care Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Bright Horizons Family Solutions57
- BrightPath Kids32
- Big Blue Marble Academy25
- La Petite Academy20
- Childtime Learning Centers14
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Insurance
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in child care specialist jobs.
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent state-recognized certification
- Current CPR and first aid certification for pediatric populations
- Experience supporting children's social, emotional, and developmental milestones
- Knowledge of age-appropriate activities and early childhood curriculum frameworks
- Ability to maintain accurate child progress records and daily documentation
- High school diploma or associate degree in early childhood education or child development
Tips for Your Child Care Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to each setting
Daycare centers, early intervention agencies, and school-based programs each prioritize different skills. Highlight infant and toddler experience for center roles, developmental milestone tracking for intervention jobs, and IEP familiarity for school district postings.
List every credential you hold
Child Development Associate, CPR, first aid, and state-specific certifications are screened at the application stage. Include the issuing body and expiration date for each so hiring managers don't have to ask, and move credentials above your work history.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists child care specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by licensing level
Some roles require a state child care license or director credential, while others only need CDA certification. Filter openings by the credentials you already hold so you aren't wasting applications on roles with hard licensing requirements you can't yet meet.
Prepare scenario answers about challenging behaviors
Interviewers almost always ask how you handle a child in crisis or a parent complaint. Write out two or three real examples using the situation, your action, and the outcome before your interview so your answers are specific and grounded.
Follow up with a care-focused thank-you note
Reference one specific thing discussed during your interview, such as a curriculum approach or age group they serve, to show genuine interest in their program. Send it within 24 hours while the conversation is still fresh in the hiring manager's mind.
Child Care Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most child care specialists?
The companies hiring the most child care specialists right now include Bright Horizons Family Solutions, BrightPath Kids, and Big Blue Marble Academy, with the largest share of openings in New York, Ohio, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Openings at larger organizations tend to be posted in clusters, so checking back regularly increases your chances of finding a good fit.
How many child care specialist jobs are remote?
About 7% of child care specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles in this field. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote work include early childhood program coordination, developmental coaching for families, and telehealth-based early intervention support.
How do you become a child care specialist?
Start by earning a high school diploma and completing a Child Development Associate credential through the Council for Professional Recognition, which requires coursework, observation hours, and a professional portfolio. Gain hands-on experience in a licensed childcare setting, obtain CPR and first aid certification, and pursue an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education to qualify for lead and specialist-level roles.
Can you get hired as a child care specialist with little or no experience?
Yes, many entry-level child care specialist positions are open to candidates without formal work history, particularly at daycare centers and after-school programs that provide on-the-job training. Volunteering in a classroom, completing a practicum through a community college early childhood program, or earning your CDA before applying all signal readiness to employers and help you compete against candidates with paid experience.
What does the child care specialist interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone or video screen to confirm credentials and availability, followed by an in-person interview with a program director or lead teacher. You'll typically be asked behavioral questions about managing challenging behaviors, communicating with parents, and supporting children with different developmental needs. Some programs include a brief classroom observation or a mock activity to assess how you interact with children before making an offer.
Where can I find and apply to child care specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to child care specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search roles by location, setting, or experience level, find the listings that match your background, and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 750+ Child Care Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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