To succeed in an early childhood education career, candidates need more than a degree. Close interaction with children demands patience and a strong, sincere desire to help all children learn and reach their fullest potential. Early childhood educators are in high demand, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects steady, sustained growth in this field. Childhood education degrees are particularly valuable to child-care providers, teachers, teaching assistants and school administrators.
Child Care Worker
Employees in child care work in a variety of places, including day care centers, community programs and nonprofit organizations. These workers help children learn and understand social fundamentals such as sharing, cleaning up toys and playing nicely with others. They can work with a specific age group or with special-needs students. Average hourly wages for these positions are usually a few dollars more than minimum wage.
Preschool Teacher
Children who are too young to attend kindergarten are often enrolled in a preschool. These schools prepare young children for public school by introducing fundamentals such as counting, letter identification, shapes and colors. Teachers usually hold an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in early childhood education. A teacher who does not work with special-needs children can expect to make a little more than a child care worker.
Kindergarten Assistant
Kindergarten teachers introduce advanced topics such as science, math, language and social studies. In most cases, an assistant teacher is required to hold an associate's degree. While the teacher leads the activities, an assistant helps the children participate and complete projects and supervises field trips, activities and recess. Assistants earn a bit less than preschool teachers.
Public School Teacher
Quality teachers are critical to a successful public education program. Public school teachers usually teach a specific subject or age group in the lower grades. Some specialize in special education work, while others work with the general student body. Most states require that public school teachers possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree and state certificate. Salaries depend upon location, education, experience and other factors.
Administrators
Education administrators do not actively engage with children. They manage the daily operations of the organization and ensure that the curriculum and other factors meet local and federal educational standards. A background in early education helps these administrators create a thorough, effective curriculum within the requirements designated by the organization's governing body.
This position is more time-consuming than a teaching job. Administrators are typically required to hold a master's degree or Ph.D. degree. These officials earn a salary about 30 more than teachers.
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