Qualifications & Job Description of a Day Care Receptionist

The receptionist is the first person that a parent sees when she drops off a child for day care. The dress, efficiency and interactions of the receptionist give a parent a good idea about how the day care runs and how her child will be treated.

A day care receptionist’s job varies from company to company and from day to day, but she usually has core tasks she is expected to perform regularly. A day care receptionist interacts with parents, sees that children are signed in for the day and makes sure that the children leave with an approved adult. She processes a child’s application and child care payments and keeps emergency contact information up to date. The receptionist is the main contact for anyone outside of day care, so throughout the day, the receptionist takes phone calls and emails from parents and professionals about the day care and a specific child’s well-being. She also completes administrative tasks such as copying, faxing, filing paperwork, processing staff paychecks, accepting and distributing mail and ordering supplies.

A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for a day care receptionist’s job. Preference may be given to individuals with a high typing proficiency or formal computer training.

Computer familiarity is a necessary skill for a day care receptionist. Basic typing skills and proficiency with word processors and spreadsheets is usually either required or highly recommended for this position. If any other software is going to be used in the position, usually the day care receptionist is trained on the job. A day care receptionist should have good customer service and social skills. As the face of the day care, it is imperative the receptionist is friendly and professional while interacting with parents in person, over the telephone and via email. Active listening and clear speaking skills are needed regularly when dealing with both parents and children. Organization is an important skill needed for a day care receptionist to be efficient. This position requires that questions be answered and information procured in a timely manner. Being detail oriented is a huge asset in this field to ensure all information is recorded and stored properly.

While all types of businesses need receptionists, other occupations that are similar to the day care receptionist position are customer service representative, secretary and office clerk. An experienced day care receptionist may want to advance to a position with more responsibility or to a supervisory role.

Receptionists earned a median annual salary of $27,920 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, receptionists earned a 25th percentile salary of $22,700, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $34,280, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 1,053,700 people were employed in the U.S. as receptionists.