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Child Development Internship Jobs in Rhode Island

Child Life Specialist

Providence, RI · On-site

$48K - $79K/yr

Association of Child Life Professionals verified Internship hours (minimum 600 hours).Bachelor's degree in child life, child development, or closely related field required. Master's degree preferred.

Eligible as a paid internship opportunity! About Your Team Your team's professional growth is ... Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and/or associate degree in early childhood education ...

Eligible as a paid internship opportunity! About Your Team Your team's professional growth is ... Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and/or associate degree in early childhood education ...

Early Childhood Teacher

Middletown, RI · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Oversee Teacher Assistants, Substitutes, Interns, and Volunteers in the classroom. * Assist other ... Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification plus experience the agency deems equivalent.

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Child Development Internship information

See Rhode Island salary details

$5

$18

$28

How much do child development internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for child development internship in Rhode Island is $18.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.58 and $21.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a child development internship?

A Child Development Internship is a supervised work experience designed for students or recent graduates interested in learning about early childhood education and development. Interns typically assist teachers and caregivers in classrooms, childcare centers, or community programs while gaining hands-on experience with children. The internship provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge, observe child behavior, and develop practical skills in supporting children's growth and learning. It is valuable for those considering a career in teaching, child psychology, or related fields.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect during a child development internship?

During a Child Development Internship, you can expect to engage in a variety of hands-on activities, such as assisting with classroom management, observing child behavior, supporting lesson planning, and facilitating play-based learning. Interns often work closely with experienced educators, gaining practical experience in child assessment and communication with both children and families. This collaborative environment provides valuable exposure to real-world challenges and best practices, helping you build essential skills for a future career in child development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child development intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Development Intern, you need foundational knowledge of child growth, learning theories, and basic coursework in early childhood education or psychology. Familiarity with observation tools, developmental screening checklists, and basic computer applications is commonly required. Strong communication, patience, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for working effectively with children and supporting educators. These skills and qualities ensure the intern can create positive learning environments, support healthy development, and contribute meaningfully to childcare teams.

What is the difference between Child Development Internship vs Child Care Assistant?

AspectChild Development InternshipChild Care Assistant
Required CredentialsUsually pursuing or completed relevant coursework or degreeHigh school diploma or equivalent; some experience preferred
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, research projects, or non-profit organizationsDaycare centers, preschools, or childcare facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, research organizations, non-profitsPrivate and public childcare providers
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding internship opportunities in child developmentLooking for entry-level childcare roles

Child Development Internships focus on gaining educational experience, often involving research or observation, while Child Care Assistants provide direct care and supervision to children. Both roles are essential in child-related fields but serve different purposes in career development and daily responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Child Development jobs in Rhode Island?

The most popular types of Child Development jobs in Rhode Island are:

What are popular job titles related to Child Development Internship jobs in Rhode Island?

For Child Development Internship jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Child Development Internship jobs in Rhode Island look for?

The top searched job categories for Child Development Internship jobs in Rhode Island are:

What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Child Development Internship jobs?

Cities in Rhode Island with the most Child Development Internship job openings:

Infographic showing various Child Development Internship job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,463 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

$48K - $79K/mo

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Brown University Health rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 94 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

499th of 891 rated healthcare providers


Job description

SUMMARY: Our Certified Child Life Specialists embrace a collaborative multidisciplinary approach in meeting the developmental psychosocial and intellectual needs of pediatric patients and their families. We implement therapeutic medical preparation, supervise organize and direct age-appropriate therapeutic play experiences to help alleviate anxiety, and provide a sense of normalcy while providing developmentally appropriate medical teaching to help patients better understand their medical experience. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, assess the developmental, psychosocial, and intellectual needs of pediatric patients to plan, organize, and direct a therapeutic program that will help to reduce stress, anxiety, and fear associated with illness and hospitalization. Create a healing environment while promoting social emotional and intellectual growth and wellbeing. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate RESPONSIBILITIES: Assessment: Identify, obtain, and use relevant data (healthcare, family, child) regarding the child and family to develop a comprehensive assessment and initiate a plan of care. Identify developmental factors and their implications regarding the child's healthcare experience to plan appropriate interventions. Identify psychosocial factors (such as diversity, culture, spirituality, family dynamics and structure, coping styles, and socioeconomic status) and family-identified needs and goals to provide family-centered care. Intervention: Provide psychosocially and developmentally appropriate support that is responsive to the specific needs of children and families. Empower and collaborate with children and families to develop and use advocacy skills. Provide educational opportunities and resources that are responsive to the needs of children and families to promote learning mastery. Facilitate preparation (psychological and educational) for challenging situations with children and families to minimize fear and anxiety to promote proficiency in their experience. Facilitate the development of coping strategies for children and families (pain management, positioning for comfort, distraction, alternative focus, guided imagery, and child participation) to minimize distress and promote empowerment. Facilitate play (recreational, healthcare, therapeutic) and familiar life experiences to encourage expression, process information, and promote development and normalization. Evaluate and document assessment goals, interventions, outcomes, and significant events to communicate and modify care plans as necessary. Function as a member of the healthcare team and promote professional relationships (child life team, inter-disciplinary teams, community resources) to enhance communication and collaboration, foster family-centered care, and maximize positive outcomes. Educate staff, students, volunteers, and the community to promote greater awareness of the needs of children and families as well as the child life profession. Recognize and document administrative responsibilities (quality improvement, staffing, resource allocation, policies, and program evaluation) to ensure quality services. Engage in continuing education (educational opportunities, relevant medical information, technology, research, &literature) to promote professional development. Orient, train, and supervise students and volunteers assigned to the unit. Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: BASIC KNOWLEDGE: Association of Child Life Professionals verified Internship hours (minimum 600 hours). Bachelor's degree in child life, child development, or closely related field required. Master's degree preferred. Certified Child Life Specialist by the Association of Child Life Professionals (or completion within one year of hire). EXPERIENCE: Completion of Child Life Professional internship with one year experience working with children required. Professional child life experience in health care setting strongly preferred. INDEPENDENT ACTION: Performs independently within the department's policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to the supervisor when clarification of the departmental policies and procedures are required. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Orients, trains and supervises students and volunteers assigned to the unit.

Pay Range:

$48,068.80-$79,372.80

EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.


Location:

Rhode Island Hospital - 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type:

Variable

Work Shift:

Variable

Daily Hours: 

10 hours

Driving Required:

No

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