Early childhood education (ECE) shapes how children aged zero to eight view themselves and interact with those around them.
Early childhood educators can identify students with potential developmental challenges and intervene in a timely manner.
This provides appropriate support for young learners early in their academic careers to increase their chances of positive outcomes.
Children exposed to high-quality early education programs are more likely to have better educational outcomes later in life.
These outcomes include increased high school graduation rates as well as college attendance.
ECE programs can lay the foundation of a young learner’s social life, academic accomplishments, self-esteem, and more.
What is Early Childhood Education?
Early childhood education programs are geared towards young learners between the ages of zero and eight.
These programs can include daycare, preschool, Head Start, and elementary school programs. While the material covered in each ECE program varies, they share common elements.
Daycare, preschool, and Head Start programs help young learners develop self-control, basic literacy skills, and empathy. They teach young learners how to behave in classroom settings as well as with their peers and adults.
They create a safe environment for students to develop basic linguistic and motor skills required for elementary school.
ECE programs for learners ages five to eight nurture a student’s creativity, and social skills, and introduce complex concepts.
Learners are introduced to subjects such as math, writing, and reading to build their academic foundation. These programs serve as a transition from play-based learning to more advanced topics.
The positive impacts of ECE programs extend beyond the classroom. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Brightwheel, some social benefits of ECE programs include:
# Narrowing the achievement gap between children from different socioeconomic groups
# Reduced crime rates, welfare dependency, child abuse, and neglect
# Improved health outcomes (reduces number of under- or overweight children
# Better jobs and higher earnings for these future adults throughout employment years
What Does an ECE Do?
An early childhood educator’s responsibilities may vary depending on their title. Overall, early childhood educators focus on the cognitive, social, and emotional development of young learners.
They aim to create a safe learning environment for learners to develop the skills necessary for future success.
Early childhood educators plan and implement age-appropriate learning activities to advance a learner’s current knowledge.
They provide structured routines to help young learners adjust to learning environments and comfortably express themselves in classroom settings.
They help students develop their motor skills, adapt to new environments, and learn about nutrition.
Programs like Berry’s ECE program prepare future educators to obtain certification in preschool education up to grade 5.
What Can You Do with an Early Childhood Education Degree?
Early childhood educators can hold a variety of positions including but not limited to:
Preschool Teacher
Preschool teachers work with children younger than age five and have not entered kindergarten.
They mostly utilize play-based learning to foster a young learner’s creativity, teamwork, motor skills, and communication skills.
It creates a fun environment for students and highlights different aspects of child development for teachers.
Preschool teachers teach young learners how to identify phonemes, letters, numbers, and colors.
They also monitor each student’s progress for signs of developmental delays and regularly update parents on their child’s development.
To become a preschool teacher, those interested must:
# Earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in ECE
# Pass state-required tests (if necessary)
# Apply for licensure with the Department of Education
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for preschool teachers is around $30,000.
Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten teachers work with students ages five to six. They help students refine motor skills with activities such as cutting out shapes, drawing shapes, or using play dough.
They reinforce positive behavior, help students overcome specific challenges, and update parents on their child’s progress.
Kindergarten teachers help students understand abstract concepts through hands-on learning and live demonstrations.
They may pose questions to help students practice solving problems on their own and develop critical thinking skills.
To become a kindergarten teacher, those interested must:
# Earn a bachelor’s degree in ECE
# Successfully complete a student teaching program
# Apply for licensure with the Department of Education
According to the BLS, the average annual salary for kindergarten teachers is around $61,000.
Elementary School Teacher
Elementary school teachers with an ECE degree can work with children ages six to eight. They may specialize in specific subjects such as English as a Second Language (ESL), music, or art.
They can also teach a wide range of subjects including reading, math, science, and history.
Elementary school teachers create lesson plans centered around specific objectives. They provide in-class assignments, assign and grade homework, as well as administer and grade tests.
This prepares students for standardized tests designed to measure the progress of each student, class, school, district, and more.
To become an elementary school teacher, those interested must:
# Earn a bachelor’s degree (preferably in ECE)
# Successfully complete a student teaching program
# Apply for licensure with the Department of Education
According to the BLS, the average annual salary for elementary school teachers is around $61,000.
Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers with a background in ECE can work as kindergarten teachers or elementary school teachers.
They teach students with learning, developmental, or physical disabilities by adapting general lessons to their needs.
They can create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student and regularly update these plans to reflect the student’s progress.
Special education teachers plan activities specific to each student’s needs and provide additional tutoring as needed.
They update parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators on each student’s progress throughout the year.
To become an ECE special education teacher, those interested must:
# Have a bachelor’s or master’s degree
# Successfully complete student teaching internship
# Take state-required tests for special education
# Apply for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) certification or earn dual certification in Special Education and ECE
According to the BLS, the average annual salary for special education teachers is around $61,000.
Preschool and Childcare Center Director
Preschool and childcare center directors oversee the daily operations of early childhood learning facilities.
They oversee before- and after-school care, and daily activities, prepare budgets, as well as design program plans.
They strive to maintain educational standards while providing a safe, clean learning environment for young learners.
Preschool and childcare center directors keep staff and parents updated on policy changes.
These directors are often experienced educators with a deep understanding of child development.
They implement programs to support all aspects of child development and act as a liaison between the center and parents.
To become a preschool and childcare center director, those interested must:
# Earn a bachelor’s degree in ECE
# Successfully complete a student teaching internship
# Gain several years of experience in early childhood education
Preschool and childcare center directors may also obtain additional certifications in CPR and first aid.
Depending on the state, preschool and childcare center directors may need a Child Development Associate credential.
According to the BLS, the average annual salary for preschool and childcare center directors is around $47,000.
Early Childhood Education Consultants
ECE consultants are typically experienced educators or administrators interested in improving the quality of existing ECE programs.
They use their insights and expertise to improve curriculum development, policy formation, program evaluation, teacher training, and more.
They can assess existing learning programs to determine if they are developmentally appropriate and aligned with the latest best practices.
ECE consultants strive to ensure ECE programs are dynamic and can adapt to the unique needs of young learners.
They help shape inclusive, nurturing, and productive learning environments to support the holistic development of young children.
To become an ECE consultant, those interested must:
# Earn a master’s or doctoral degree
# Have experience teaching or working with young learners
# Hold a valid teaching license
As of July 2023, the BLS does not list the average annual salary for ECE consultants.
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The bottom line
ECE serves as a cornerstone for a child’s academic journey. This multifaceted field contains various roles designed to shape a child’s future.
Each role comes with a unique set of responsibilities, but are all focused on nurturing young minds.
This field is a rewarding option for those passionate about creating positive educational experiences for young learners.
