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Child Development Practitioner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LanceSoft

Travel Child Life Specialist

Louisville, KY · On-site

Required Education: -Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, Education or ... LanceSoft specializes in providing Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, LPNs/LVNs, Social ...

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Child Development Practitioner information

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$41.5K

$130.3K

$200K

How much do child development practitioner jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for child development practitioner in the United States is $130,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Child Development Practitioner vs Child Care Worker?

AspectChild Development PractitionerChild Care Worker
CredentialsTypically requires a diploma or certification in child development or early childhood educationOften requires a high school diploma; some positions may need certification
Work EnvironmentWorks in preschools, daycare centers, or early intervention programs focusing on developmental supportWorks mainly in daycare centers, babysitting, or after-school care settings
Employer & IndustryEducational and healthcare settings, early childhood programsChildcare facilities, daycare centers, community organizations

The main difference is that Child Development Practitioners focus on supporting children's developmental milestones through educational activities and assessments, often requiring specialized training. Child Care Workers primarily provide supervision and basic care, with less emphasis on developmental assessments. Both roles are vital in early childhood settings but differ in scope and qualifications.

What are child development practitioners?

Child development practitioners are professionals who support the growth and development of young children, typically from birth to age 12. They work in settings such as daycare centers, preschools, and community programs, planning and implementing activities that promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. These practitioners also observe and assess children's progress, communicate with families, and ensure a safe and nurturing environment. Their work is essential in laying the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.

Is a child development degree worth it?

A child development degree provides foundational knowledge of child growth, behavior, and learning, which can enhance job prospects for Child Development Practitioners. It often qualifies individuals for entry-level positions and may be required for certifications or advanced roles in early childhood education or care settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Child Development Practitioner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Development Practitioner, you need a solid understanding of child psychology, early childhood education, and developmental milestones, typically supported by a diploma or degree in Early Childhood Education and relevant certifications. Familiarity with curriculum planning software, assessment tools, and regulatory compliance systems is often required. Patience, strong communication, and creativity are essential soft skills for engaging children and collaborating with families and colleagues. These skills and qualities are crucial for fostering healthy development, ensuring safety, and creating a supportive learning environment for young children.

What are some common challenges Child Development Practitioners face when working with children from diverse backgrounds?

Child Development Practitioners often encounter the challenge of meeting the unique needs of children from various cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This requires sensitivity, adaptability, and an understanding of different family dynamics and developmental influences. Practitioners must continuously educate themselves on inclusive practices, collaborate with families, and tailor their approaches to ensure every child feels supported and valued. Building strong communication with both children and their caregivers is essential to overcoming these challenges and fostering an inclusive learning environment.

What is the highest paying job in childcare?

The highest paying jobs in childcare typically include roles such as childcare center directors, early childhood education administrators, and specialized early intervention specialists, often requiring advanced degrees and certifications. These positions involve leadership, management, and specialized skills, and can offer salaries significantly higher than entry-level childcare roles.

What are the 4 types of child development?

Child development practitioners recognize four main areas of development: physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development. These areas encompass skills such as motor abilities, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and communication, which are essential for a child's overall growth. Understanding these domains helps practitioners create appropriate activities and support for children's progress.

What is the highest paying job in child development?

The highest paying roles in child development often include senior positions such as Child Development Director or Pediatric Healthcare Administrator, which require advanced education, leadership skills, and extensive experience. These roles typically offer higher salaries due to increased responsibilities and specialized expertise in areas like program management or healthcare administration.
More about Child Development Practitioner jobs
What states have the most Child Development Practitioner jobs? States with the most job openings for Child Development Practitioner jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Child Development Practitioner jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Child Development Practitioner jobs are:
Child Development Practitioner jobs near you
Nurse Practitioner - Child Abuse Specialist

Nurse Practitioner - Child Abuse Specialist

Legacy Health

Portland, OR

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Overview

Randall Children's Hospital and the Child Abuse Response and Evaluation Services Northwest (CARES NW) in Portland, Oregon, are pleased to announce that we are recruiting for a full time child abuse Nurse Practitioner. The NP will join a well-developed inpatient and outpatient multidisciplinary consultation program for suspected child abuse and neglect.

This full time position offers excellent opportunities for inpatient and outpatient clinical child abuse practice, teaching, prevention work, and community involvement in multidisciplinary teams.

About CARES Northwest:

CARES NW is NCA accredited and is one of the oldest and largest outpatient child abuse assessment programs in the United States. It is a collaboration of 4 major health care systems and provides medical evaluation for over 1500 patients each year.

About Randalls Children's Hospital: 

Randall Children's Hospital (a 501(c) 3 organization) is a 175-bed new full-service hospital with Level 1 trauma designation, a full time pediatric Emergency Department, large inpatient acute care units, and a PICU and level 4 NICU. The hospital has over 200 pediatric sub-specialty professionals in both medical and surgical areas including 24-hour Pediatric Hospitalist coverage. Randall Children's Hospital is a teaching hospital, and part of Legacy Health which was just recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top mid-size hospitals in the US.

Location & Lifestyle: Portland, Oregon

Portland lifestyle options have something for everyone, from the downtown "Pearl District" for those enjoying a trendy urban flair, to family-oriented communities, all within a short commuting distance to the hospital. Portland boasts more bike paths per mile than any city in the US, and the largest city park in the nation. We are a short drive from the windsurfing capital of the world, and Pinot Noir wine country. The rugged beaches of the Pacific Ocean and the long skiing seasons of Mt Hood are within a 90-minute drive.

Our Mission: 

Legacy is committed to delivering comprehensive and family-centered care with compassion and excellence. As we consider qualified candidates, we are committed to building a culture that values diversity and is reflective of those we care for.

Responsibilities
  • Works in collaboration with physicians to provide complete physical examinations, diagnosis, and treatment of both chronic and episodic disorders. 
  • Assigned principal responsibility for primary health care of patients under professional medical direction from physicians.
  • Seeks the expert opinion or advice of a physician whenever the incumbent decides a case falls outside the scope authorized by policies and protocol.
  • Plans and implements and a physician reviews and confirms health care goals for patients.
  • Responsible for the patient throughout the course of the treatment, provides the physical examination, the diagnosis, and the health care plan, determines when
  • May refer the patient to physicians for consultation or to specialized health resources for treatment but retains responsibility for clinical management as well as any subsequent modification.
Qualifications

Education:

  • Appropriate state license and DEA certificate required upon starting date.
  • Specialty training in child abuse preferred.

Experience:

  • Minimum three (3) years clinical experience evaluating children for concerns of abuse.
Licensure
  • Current applicable state RN license required.
  • National certification as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) required. Applicable state license as a Nurse Practitioner w/Prescriptive Privileges (NP-PP) required. 
  • Current certification dependent upon the specific position to include Basic Life Support (CPR) from the American Heart Association.
Our Commitment to Health and Equal Opportunity

Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.

If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply-even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.

Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To learn more about our employee benefits click here: www.legacyhealth.org/For-Health-Professionals/careers/benefiting-you

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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