Read the following article for the latest and most accurate information on early childhood education requirements & early childhood education programs.
Not just that, you will find related posts on benefits of early childhood education & importance of early childhood education on infolearners.
Early Childhood Educator Career Guide
In most states, an early childhood educator works with children from birth to third grade or approximately age eight. This teacher works with students in public or private school settings, at elementary schools of all kinds, and in federal- and state-funded programs for early intervention with children from birth to kindergarten such as Head Start. This guide provides information on how to become an early childhood educator, what they do, and the salary and job outlook for this occupation.
Early Childhood Educator Job Description
Early childhood teachers specialize in the learning, developmental, social, and physical needs of young children. These educators provide a safe and comfortable environment in which young children can learn not just early academics, but social, motor, and adaptive skills. Educators working with students in early childhood specialize in childhood learning and developmental health. Educators teaching pre-kindergarten (pre-K) through third grade can expect to teach core subjects such as reading, math, science, and social studies according to the curriculum set out by their school or district. Educators will also provide opportunities and activities for structured and unstructured play, as well as light snacks during the school day. Children’s behavior and development are discussed regularly with parents. Those working in an at-risk program such as Head Start can expect to make home visits and counsel parents.
Early Childhood Educator Requirements and Common Tasks
In order to work as an early childhood professional in public schools, state certification is typically required. This certification is most commonly earned through a traditional bachelor’s degree program with a major in early childhood education (ECE). One major responsibility for early childhood teachers is providing a safe and fun learning environment for young children, which involves planning and arranging the learning environment(s) and providing careful supervision with an eye to safety. In many classrooms with young children, an early childhood teacher will also supervise a teacher’s aide or teaching assistant who is present to assist with younger children’s physical and learning needs. Educators must also plan and provide developmentally appropriate learning lessons and activities that are structured to advance children’s understanding of fundamental skills. Structure in an early childhood learning environment is especially important as children learn from routines and become comfortable learning and expressing themselves appropriately.
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While not all institutions require a degree in early childhood education to work with young kids, many do require some specialized training, and increasingly, you must get an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s if you want to begin a career in early childhood education.
If you plan to advance your career into administration, own your own preschool, or increase your salary, a bachelor’s or master’s is a must.
What are the entry requirements?
When it comes to entry requirements, most ECE programs differ from other education fields. While you typically need to already have a Bachelor’s Degree to pursue a Bachelor of Education, ECE works a little differently. Many colleges offer Early Childhood Education at entry level, with the minimum requirement being a high school diploma. However, some ECE degree programs require you to have completed an undergraduate degree. Since you will also be in contact with children, health certificates, immunizations, and Police Record Checks may also be required.
There are three main types of early childhood education degree programs, depending on the type of job you’ll be looking for:
- Associate’s Degree (2 years)
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
- Graduate Degrees, including Master’s and Doctoral Degrees (2-6 years)
Many education schools offer an early childhood education online degree, or fast-track teacher certification programs if you already have a degree in a specific subject area.
How to Pick Your Degree Program
The first step in deciding which early childhood education degree program is right for you is to familiarize yourself with the different options and understand what each degree means in the world of education.
Undergraduate Degrees
Undergraduate degrees provide you with the necessary (and marketable) skills you need to start your career working with young children.
Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
This 2-year degree qualifies you for many entry-level early childhood education jobs. It is the least costly degree to earn, and can often stand in for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program if you choose to pursue a full bachelor’s degree. Many associate’s degrees prepare students for a general teaching job, but may not be enough of an educational background for broader advancement within a school or organization.
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
The bachelor’s degree generally requires four years of course work. It qualifies you for job placement with a greater expectation of fast advancement and higher pay than for those teachers with an associate’s degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “Adults ages 25 to 34 with a bachelor’s degree or higher have higher median earnings than their peers with less education.”
Graduate Degrees
Graduate degrees are for those who want to increase their salary, do research into ECE and teach educators, or work in supervisory positions.
Master of Education (MEd) degree with a focus in Early Childhood Education
The MEd comes after a bachelor’s degree, usually takes one to three years to complete, and normally requires a thesis for graduation. Master’s degree holders have a deeper level of expertise and are highly valued in more complex, and thus higher-paying, positions. With a MEd, you’ll also start your career at a higher level and can advance more quickly. Students often specialize in Curriculum and Instruction, Technology, Educational Administration, or Organizational Leadership, depending on their interests.
Doctoral Degrees
Doctoral Programs are for people who want to do research and add to the body of knowledge in the field of education, or teach other early childhood educators at the university level.
Doctor of Education:Doctoral programs are designed for K-12 teachers who want to continue teaching while assuming leadership roles in their school and community. They focus on the teacher as leader and empower experienced master teachers to improve student learning and make school- or system-wide improvements.
PhD in Education:In a PhD program, you will develop the expertise to lead in the development of new program practices, to apply emerging research on development in the early years and to conceptualize new paradigms for early learning. Graduates attain key positions in college teaching, research, leadership positions and advocacy roles addressing the needs of young children.
What You’ll Learn in an ECE Degree Program
Your early childhood education degree program should prepare you to understand the fundamentals of early childhood growth and development, what education and curriculum works best, the business and management of early childhood education facilities, and leadership and advocacy for your young students.
A typical bachelor’s program may include courses such as these:
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Mathematics
- English
- Teaching Children with Special Needs
- Infant and Toddler Mental Health
- Language Development
- Classroom Management
- Preschool Behavior
- Cognition and Behavior
To be admitted into your bachelor’s program you will need to submit official transcripts from your high school, any college coursework transcripts, transfer credit evaluations, and hold a minimum GPA that has been decided by your college. Generally this is a 2.0 – 2.5 for admission.
Financial Aid and Online Options
When deciding which early childhood education degree program to pursue, your ultimate career goal is of prime importance. But education takes both time and money, and it’s important to determine how much of each you have…or can get. Don’t fret, though, because education is an important investment in your future and money is available.
Some financial aid options:
- college grants
- student loans
- scholarships from professional organizations, private sponsors and companies interested in helping qualified students.
Read more about financial aid for your early childhood education degree.
Online Degree Programs in Early Childhood Education
Are you trying to balance a job and family with much-needed education? Getting an early childhood education online degree gives you access to the same education you would get in a classroom, but instead of wasting time commuting to campus, you just need a computer with Internet access to get your online teaching degree. Watch video lectures, review course materials, interact virtually with the professor and other classmates, have online discussions, and complete and turn in assignments-all from the comfort of your own home.
In addition to the flexibility of taking a class from home, an early childhood education online degree allows you to do convenient things like pause a video lecture if you find yourself behind in taking notes or need a quick break. Online degrees are a great way to make education fit into your busy lifestyle.
How ECE Online Degrees Work
- Average number of class logins required per week: 2 to 5
- Average time spent doing course work: 13 hours per week
- Class formats:Synchronousversus Asynchronous. In an early childhood education online degree, you have one of two class options. In asynchronousclass, all students log in at one set time and are in constant dialogue with the professor and each other. In anasynchronouscourse, each student logs in independently to complete the course work, although virtual group discussions can also be scheduled.
- Tech skills: You’ll need to be able to use a computer, the Internet, a word processing program and email, either a school’s proprietary learning management system (LMS) or an online learning program such as Blackboard Learn LMS, Moodle LMS or Schoology LMS, and participate in chat or Skype groups with other students and your instructors. Most early childhood education online degrees have training demonstrations to teach you what you need to know.
- Computer requirements: A computer, Internet access, a basic Internet browser and email. Each specific degree program will specify its operating system requirements, though most will work with Windows 2000 or later, or Mac OS 8.1 or higher.
- Human contact: Most early childhood education online degrees make it easy to get in touch with your professors and fellow class members via phone, email, Skype, and discussion boards.
How to Become an Early Childhood Educator
Since teaching younger children requires a specialized set of skills, educators working with students in early childhood typically begin their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or a closely-related area of study. In order to qualify graduates for teacher licensure, most states require that such a program be approved by the state board of education for teacher preparation. For traditional students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, the typical process is as follows:
- Complete a teacher preparation program in early childhood education that is approved by your state’s board of education.
- Complete a student teaching practicum in an early childhood program.
- Take your state’s required tests for educators.
- Apply to your state’s board of education for a teaching certificate or license.
- Begin applying to open early childhood teacher positions.
Once accepted into a bachelor’s degree program, students will typically spend the first two years of study earning general education credits. The second two years of the bachelor’s degree program will focus on courses in childhood development, methods of teaching children, and theories of learning. Students can expect to complete at least one internship or practicum working with small children in a classroom setting. Many early childhood education programs include several separate classroom engagements to prepare teachers for the demands of the job. After graduating, prospective early childhood teachers will be ready to become licensed to teach and earn their early childhood endorsem*nt through testing such as the Praxis Series, although state testing requirements for early childhood certification vary from state to state.
Previously licensed teachers, or those who already earned a bachelor’s degree in another subject, may be able to add an early childhood endorsem*nt to a teaching certificate by completing a master’s program in early childhood education or development. A master’s degree in early childhood education provides opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of learning in childhood and a more developed skillset for working with small children. Many master’s degree programs offer avenues for specialization within the early childhood education field, such as special needs or gifted and talented. Master’s program graduates will then take the required tests to earn an early childhood endorsem*nt in their state.
Early Childhood Educator Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), kindergarten and elementary school teachers earn a median annual salary of $57,980 and have job growth prospects of 3% from 2018 to 2028.1 Preschool teachers, who teach ages three to five, earn a median annual salary of $29,780 per year and have higher job growth prospects of 7% from 2018 to 2028.2 Childcare workers earn a median annual salary of $26,210 per year.3 As schools work to decrease student-teacher ratios amid student enrollment increases in most areas of the country, job prospects for early childhood teachers should remain positive.
Early Childhood Education Career Interviews
- Texas Kindergarten Teacher, Matt Gomez
- California Kindergarten Teacher, Vanessa Escobar
- Pennsylvania Preschool Teacher and Program Director, Trish Nodolski
- Washington Kindergarten Teacher, Rebecca Ross
- See More Early Childhood Interviews
Early Childhood Education Blogs
The Early Childhood Education Blogs list provides lesson and activity ideas, insights into teaching young students, helpful teaching resources, and inspiring stories of success.FIND SCHOOLS
Helpful Skills and Experience
Early childhood educators have a love of children, an understanding of the needs and abilities of children, and a passion for teaching. Educators wanting to work in the early childhood field must possess essential character traits such as caring, patience, flexibility, and compassion. These educators must also possess high-level knowledge of childhood development and the content areas to be taught. Previous experience working with small children, especially in a classroom setting, is sought by most employers looking to hire early childhood professionals.
Possible Job Titles for This Career
- Community Teacher
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Early Education Teacher
- Elementary School Teacher
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Master Teacher
- Preschool Teacher
Additional Resources
- National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE) – Advocates for the advancement of early childhood education and the professional advancement of early childhood educators.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – An organization working to connect practice, policy, and research in youth education that offers professional benefits to member educators.
