Quick Guide to Becoming an Early Childhood Educator

Written by: Nicki H • Edited by: Beth Taylor
Updated Dec 5, 2011 • Related Guides: Early Childhood

The demand for early childhood educators is expected to increase over the next 10 years. But to launch this type of career, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in early education and satisfy your state’s licensure requirements. Here’s a guide to early childhood education degree programs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook is good for early educators; with growth reaching 12% by 2016. This translates to 479,000 new teaching positions in the United States. The American Federation of Teachers reports that teachers with a bachelor’s degree earn $28,590 - $67,490 annually. But to become an Early Childhood Educator, you must complete an accredited program and apply for licensure with your state.

Degree Programs

When choosing an Early Childhood Education Degree program, choose a program that focuses on areas such as: philosophy of education, psychology or learning and methods for teaching young students. Since technology is a crucial part of education, it’s important to choose a curriculum that integrates how to use technology in the classroom. To find accredited programs in your area check out the Teacher Education Accreditation Council at http://www.teac.org/.

Bachelors Degree Online

There are many early childhood education courses offered in an online format such as Independence University, Kaplan University and University of Phoenix. But since every state’s licensing requirements are different, it’s important to check with your state if these programs will make you eligible for licensure.

Licenses and Certification

If you’ll be teaching at a public school, you must apply for licensure with your state. However, some private schools don’t require teachers to be licensed. Instead, they create their own criteria for potential teachers (but they are typically required to have a teaching degree).

When applying for your early education license you typically have a few options: preschool – grade 3, grades 1-6 or grades 5-8. You can also seek licensure for special areas of interest, such as music. Schedule an exam date with your state for the grade level you want to teach.

Apply for Financial Aid

Earning your degree in early childhood education can be expensive. To qualify for low-interest student loans and federal grants, complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.