5 Top Early Childhood Education Jobs
- Childcare Center Directors
- Childcare Workers
- Teacher Assistants
- Preschool Teachers
- Kindergarten Teachers
If you love children and are looking to begin a new occupation, why not consider one of the many careers in early childhood education? Not only are these careers fun and exciting but they are extremely rewarding as well. And what is even better about choosing to work with children is that there are many career options for you to choose from. However, the positions described below are among some of the most popular careers in this field, and one of them may very well be the job of your dreams!
1. Childcare Center Directors
Some of the highest-paying careers in early childhood education are childcare center directors. These careers are excellent for people who love children but want to work on the administrative side of early childhood education. Often referred to as preschool directors or education coordinators, childcare center directors are accountable for such tasks as creating lesson plans, maintaining budgets, training staff members, and communicating with parents.
2. Childcare Workers
For persons who would like to work directly with children, careers as childcare workers may be the best choice. Childcare workers are often employed by childcare centers; however, some choose to work out of their own homes. Those who decide to care for children in their own homes typically care for fewer children and must maintain proper licensing at all times. Common tasks performed by childcare workers include playing with children, changing diapers, feeding children, and interacting with parents.
3. Teacher Assistants
One of the best ways to break into early childhood education careers involving teaching is to begin working as a teacher’s assistant. These positions are terrific as permanent careers or as stepping stones to occupations as preschool or kindergarten teachers. The daily duties of teacher assistants may vary depending on the specific facility but often include such tasks as setting up classroom equipment, organizing class activities, tutoring individual students, and assisting teachers wherever help may be needed.
4. Preschool Teachers
Preschool teachers work with children who are four years old or younger. In addition to caring for young children, preschool teachers are also responsible for preparing students for kindergarten. This typically involves various activities including helping children develop social skills, assisting students with physical development, and introducing them to such things as colors, shapes, the alphabet, numbers, arts and crafts, and music. These careers pay quite well, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in this field are expected to increase by about 10 percent over the next several years.
5. Kindergarten Teachers
Other terrific early childhood education careers are those involved with teaching kindergarten students. Kindergarten teachers are those educators that work with children who are usually five or six years old. Much like preschool teachers, who prepare students for kindergarten, kindergarten teachers prepare children for first grade. As such, common tasks of these teachers are to instruct students in the areas of basic reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Other important responsibilities of kindergarten teachers include creating weekly lesson plans and discussing students’ progress with parents.
Related Resource: Top 50 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education Online 2018
Early childhood education is an extraordinarily rewarding field that is ideal for people who enjoy working with young children. And what is even more enthralling about careers in early childhood education is that there are many occupations that candidates may choose among including those described above.