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Childcare Workers

instructing children in safe behavior, communicating with children's parents or guardians about daily activities and supporting children's emotional and social development. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

AI changes the edges of this job, not the middle: instructing and assisting children in the development of health and personal habits is work software can't reach.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

What shifts is creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans: the overhead at the edges, not the middle you trained for.

Your week, as this page understands it

Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play. The job title says “childcare workers”. The real job is the part underneath: instructing and assisting children in the development of health and personal habits. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But childcare workers is not one task. It is 43 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is instructing and assisting children in the development of health and personal habits, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI
2%
changing shape
7%
staying human
91%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 10 out of 100 (7–15 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, across 43 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for childcare workers is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

Shifting to AI

1 task

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

  • Creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans

    This is reading one thing and writing another: appropriate lesson plans in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Create developmentally appropriate lesson plans.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (76–90 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Age-appropriate activity plans are written documents, and software drafts them from published guidance.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.

Changing shape

3 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

  • Keeping records of play, meal schedules and bill payment

    The software now makes the first pass at records of play, meal schedules and bill payment, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Keep records of play, meal schedules, and bill payment.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Logs of meals, play and payments are simple records software can keep accurately.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Performing general administrative tasks, such as taking attendance, editing internal paperwork and making phone calls

    The software now makes the first pass at general administrative tasks, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Perform general administrative tasks, such as taking attendance, editing internal paperwork, and making phone calls.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Registers, forms and routine calls are administrative work that software can largely take over.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Helping develop or monitoring family schedule

    The software now makes the first pass at develop, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Help develop or monitor family schedule.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.

    The rating behind it: Building and tracking a family timetable is scheduling work software does well.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Staying human

39 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

  • Instructing children in safe behavior

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Instruct children in safe behavior, such as seeking adult assistance when crossing the street and avoiding contact with unsafe objects.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 6 out of 100 (0–13 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Road safety and similar lessons stick because an adult repeats them in the moment, outdoors.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Removing hazards and developing appropriate boundaries and rules to create a safe environment for children

    This work happens in the physical world: hazards, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Remove hazards and develop appropriate boundaries and rules to create a safe environment for children.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 12 out of 100 (5–19 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Rules can be written down, but spotting and removing hazards means walking the space.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Instructing and assisting children in the development of health and personal habits

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Instruct and assist children in the development of health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet behavior.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Helping a small child eat, rest and use the toilet is hands-on care.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Teaching and performing age-appropriate activities

    This work happens in the physical world: age-appropriate activities, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Teach and perform age-appropriate activities, such as lap play, reading, and arts and crafts, to encourage intellectual development of children.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Lap play, reading and crafts are shared activities with a child physically present.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Helping prepare and serving nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children

    This work happens in the physical world: prepare, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Preparing and serving meals for children is hands-on kitchen work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Performing first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation

    This work happens in the physical world: first aid, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Perform first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when required.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: First aid and resuscitation are done with your hands on the child.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Show the other 33 tasks

  • Keeping records on individual children

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: records, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 33 out of 100 (26–40 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Daily logs and medication records are simple records that software can capture and keep tidy.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Performing general personnel functions, such as supervision, training and scheduling

    staying human

    The value here is that a specific person handles general personnel functions and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.

    importance 4 · Supplemental
    Source: “Perform general personnel functions, such as supervision, training, and scheduling.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Rotas and training packs can be drafted, but supervising staff runs on working relationships.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Helping children with homework and school work

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Supplemental
    Source: “Help children with homework and school work.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Explaining school work and setting practice questions is something software does well.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Supervising and assisting with homework

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: homework, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Supervise and assist with homework.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Explaining homework and checking answers is something software does patiently and well.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

  • Meeting regularly with parents to discuss children's activities and development

    staying human

    The value here is that a specific person handles parents and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Meet regularly with parents to discuss children's activities and development.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (17–25 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Parents want these conversations with the person who spends the day with their child.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Working with parents to develop and implement discipline programs to promote desirable child behavior

    staying human

    The value here is that a specific person handles parents and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Work with parents to develop and implement discipline programs to promote desirable child behavior.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Behaviour plans can be drafted, but they only work when parents and carer agree together.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Communicating with children's parents or guardians about daily activities

    staying human

    The value here is that a specific person handles children's parents and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Daily updates can be drafted automatically, but parents want them from the person who knows their child.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Identifying signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: signs of emotional, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 4 out of 100 (0–8 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Spotting that something is wrong with a child comes from knowing them and watching them closely.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Assigning appropriate chores and praise targeted behaviors to encourage development of self-control

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: appropriate chores, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Assign appropriate chores and praise targeted behaviors to encourage development of self-control, self-confidence, and responsibility.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 4 out of 100 (0–11 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: A chore chart can be drafted, but praise works because it comes from a trusted adult.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Supporting children's emotional and social development

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children's emotional, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: A child confidence and social skills grow through warmth from a real person in the room.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 4/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Caring for children in institutional setting

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Caring for children in a nursery or group home is being with them all day.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Sanitizing toys and play equipment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: toys, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Sanitize toys and play equipment.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Cleaning toys and equipment is hands-on work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Disciplining children and recommending or initiating other measures to control behavior

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Discipline children and recommend or initiate other measures to control behavior, such as caring for own clothing and picking up toys and books.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–7 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Managing a child behaviour in the moment needs an adult right there.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Observing and monitoring children's play activities

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children's play activities, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Observe and monitor children's play activities.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Watching children play means being there with them.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Instructing children in health and personal habits

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Instruct children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Teaching toddlers to eat, rest and use the toilet is hands-on guidance given alongside the child.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Reading to children and teaching them simple painting

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Read to children and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Reading aloud and making things with young children happens face to face.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Organizing and storing toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: toys, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Organize and store toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Tidying and storing toys is physical work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Sterilizing bottles and preparing formulas

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: bottles, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Supplemental
    Source: “Sterilize bottles and prepare formulas.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Sterilising bottles and making up feeds is hands-on work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Dressing children and change diapers

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Dress children and change diapers.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Dressing children and changing nappies is physical care.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Performing housekeeping duties, such as laundry, cleaning, dish washing and changing of linens

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: duties, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Perform housekeeping duties, such as laundry, cleaning, dish washing, and changing of linens.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Laundry, cleaning and washing up are physical chores.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Accompanying children to and from school

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 3 · Supplemental
    Source: “Accompany children to and from school, on outings, and to medical appointments.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Taking children to school or appointments means travelling with them.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Regulating children's rest periods and nap schedules

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children's rest periods, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Regulate children's rest periods and nap schedules.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–7 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence, and it moved between repeat runs, so the range is widened.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Settling children into naps and keeping to the schedule happens in the room.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Organizing and conducting age-appropriate recreational activities

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: age-appropriate recreational activities, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Organize and conduct age-appropriate recreational activities, such as games, arts and crafts, sports, walks, and play dates.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Running games, sports and walks means being outside with the children.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Observing children's behavior

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children's behavior, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Observe children's behavior for irregularities, take temperature, transport children to doctor, or administer medications, as directed, to maintain children's health.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Taking a temperature, giving medicine or driving to the doctor all need hands and presence.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Modeling appropriate social behaviors and encourage concern for others to cultivate development of interpersonal relationships and communication skills

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: appropriate social behaviors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Model appropriate social behaviors and encourage concern for others to cultivate development of interpersonal relationships and communication skills.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Children copy the adults around them, so a real person has to be there.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 4/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Transporting children to schools, social outings and medical appointments

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Transport children to schools, social outings, and medical appointments.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Driving children to school, outings and appointments requires someone at the wheel.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Performing housekeeping and cleaning duties related to children's care

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: duties, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Perform housekeeping and cleaning duties related to children's care.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Cleaning and tidying around children care is physical work.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Maintaining a safe play environment

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: a safe play environment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 5 · Core
    Source: “Maintain a safe play environment.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Keeping a play area safe means an adult in the room removing risks as they appear.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Assisting in preparing food and serving meals and refreshments to children

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: preparing food, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Assist in preparing food and serving meals and refreshments to children.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Preparing and serving food to children is hands-on.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Regulating children's rest periods

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: children's rest periods, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Regulate children's rest periods.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Settling children for a nap means being with them.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Organizing and participating in recreational activities and outings

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: recreational activities, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Core
    Source: “Organize and participate in recreational activities and outings, such as games and field trips.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Outings and games need adults present with the children throughout.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

  • Providing care for children with physical

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: care, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 4 · Supplemental
    Source: “Provide care for children with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.

    The rating behind it: Caring for a child with additional needs is close, hands-on support.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 1/4.

  • Shopping for groceries, clothing and other items needed for children's care

    staying human

    This work happens in the physical world: groceries, clothing and other items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.

    importance 3 · Supplemental
    Source: “Shop for groceries, clothing, and other items needed for children's care.” (O*NET task statement)
    How this row was scored

    Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–10 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence, and it moved between repeat runs, so the range is widened.

    Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.

    The rating behind it: Shopping for the children food and clothes means going out and carrying it back.

    The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay
$34,980a year, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.bls-oews, 2025 · May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)
How we know this

Source: bls-oews

Reference period: May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)

Rounding: Shown as published.

People doing this job
518,910in the US, 2025.bls-oews · May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: appropriate lesson plans in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans and keeping records of play, meal schedules and bill payment. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where children gets done. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

Start with what does not change: instructing and assisting children in the development of health and personal habits is the middle of this job, and the evidence on this page says it stays with a person.

So, given all that: 2% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 7% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 91% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 43 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

So the thing worth your attention is not the job going away. It is the layer around it. Creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans is the part turning into software, and being the person who understands that layer is worth money.

This week: one thing

Ask the one question. Find whoever is bringing new software into your workplace (the manager, the office, whoever runs the system) and ask them what it is meant to do to appropriate lesson plans, and what it is not meant to touch. Ten minutes, this week, before anyone decides it for you.

What you end up holding
a straight answer about what is actually being rolled out, and when
How long it takes
ten minutes

If there’s nobody obvious to ask, or you’d rather not ask your manager: Put the same question to your union rep, your shift lead or the person who has been there longest, in person, over a break. Same ten minutes, same answer, and you will usually get a straighter one. Write down what they say. The note is the artifact, and it tells you whether children is in scope or not. Nothing to log into, no license needed.

Over the next 90 days

Get inside the tool rollout rather than waiting for it. Over the next ninety days, ask to be in the group that tests, checks or signs off whatever new system arrives near keeping records of play, meal schedules and bill payment. It is usually an unglamorous seat that nobody fights for, and it is the one that decides how the software is used on your job rather than to it.

Over the next 12 months

On this evidence I would not retrain out of this job, and I will say that plainly rather than hedge it. The task list here is dominated by work that stays with a person. What I would do with a year is get formally recognised for the layer around it (the systems, the compliance, the planning), so you are the one who understands the software instead of the one it is done to. Before you pay for anything, use CareerOneStop - Find local training. It is free, it is the Labor Department's own service, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest US occupations to childcare workers (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was preschool teachers, except special education: only about 14% of its durable work is work you already do. And on the numbers you do not need one. This job scores 10/100 here, with only 2% of the task list in the top band, and “instruct children in safe behavior” is not work that hands over cleanly. None of them beats deepening what you already have.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 830 US occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

  • Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children, and their equivalent is to serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines. Across both published task lists that is about 14% of the durable work in that job.

    Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 14% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

  • Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to…, and their equivalent is to identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them…. Across both published task lists that is about 9% of the durable work in that job.

    Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 9% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. And it is a narrow door: about 108,870 of those jobs against 518,910 of yours (OEWS May 2025), 21% as many seats.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

  • Special Education Teachers, Preschool

    Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children, and their equivalent is to serve meals or snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines. Across both published task lists that is about 8% of the durable work in that job.

    Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 8% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. And it is a narrow door: about 29,510 of those jobs against 518,910 of yours (OEWS May 2025), 6% as many seats.

    Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

  • The headline number you read somewhere

    The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 2% of its task weight, across 43 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.

  • The headlines about your trade disappearing

    They are usually about the technology, not the timetable. Changes to work like instructing and assisting children in the development of health and personal habits arrive through rules, insurance and money, slowly and visibly. This page tracks the task evidence and will move when it moves.

  • Retraining out of a job that is holding up

    On this evidence I would not spend money leaving. Spend it on the layer around the job instead: the tools, the paperwork, the planning. That is where the change actually is.

  • The “obvious” next job everyone suggests

    I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United States figures

The United Kingdom splits this work across more than one official group, of which Playworkers is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United Kingdom page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In UK official statistics this job is counted as Playworkers, Childminders, Nannies and au pairs, Early education and childcare assistants and Early education and childcare practitioners. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

Why there is no community here

Collab365, who build this site, run paid Spaces for a small number of subjects, and none of them is built for this job. We are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

So the free services listed on this page are the whole answer, and it is the same answer we would give a friend.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for childcare workers launches. Nothing else.

That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.

We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.

No Space for childcare workers yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

What a Space actually is, in full

Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for childcare workers existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for childcare workers launches. We never sell it, never use it for unrelated marketing, and every email has a one-click unsubscribe. Our privacy policy has the full version.

This unlocks nothing. Every figure, every row and every step on this page is already yours, whether you fill this in or not.

No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Childcare Workers?
Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 43 official task statements scored for Childcare Workers (United States, SOC 39-9011), 2% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 10 out of 100 (range 7–15, band: minimal). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Childcare Workers” can AI already do?
The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Create developmentally appropriate lesson plans” (83/100, very high); “Keep records of play, meal schedules, and bill payment” (56/100, partial); “Help develop or monitor family schedule” (48/100, partial). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Childcare Workers” stay human?
About 91% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Shop for groceries, clothing, and other items needed for children's care” (0/100, minimal); “Provide care for children with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities” (0/100, minimal); “Organize and participate in recreational activities and outings, such as games and field trips” (0/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Childcare Workers” do about AI?
Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 2% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 91% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Childcare Workers calculated?
Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 43 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

  • 2 tasks scored differently between repeat runs, so their range on this page is wider. We would rather show the wobble than hide it.
  • The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
  • 3 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
  • Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.
Task statements
onet-dbProcessing: catalogue-bridge → onet-im-rt-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights
onet-db (im-rt)
Scores
Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-04.
Pay and employment
bls-oews (May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx))bls-oews (May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

How we score a jobDownload this releaseLook up another job

Using these figures?

Cite this

Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published . Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.