Can you be a preschool teacher with an associates degree

If you love young children, you may enjoy the idea of teaching them necessary life lessons. In this case, you may consider a job as a preschool teacher. This career path requires a number of skills and education. It is important to understand what is necessary to become a preschool teacher.

Recommended Online Preschool Teaching Degrees

Visit sites to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid

What Skills are Necessary for a Preschool Teacher?

Guiding the minds of America’s youth is a rewarding career. There are particular skills that will make you successful in this profession.

• Patience. Young children do not often have discipline to sit still and to follow directions. Many times, students may be dealing with family difficulties that bleed into the classroom as well. No matter, it is essential for a preschool teacher to remain calm and to practice patience. This conveys a sense of safety and security to all students.
• Creativity. When dealing with exceptionally young children, it is essential for a teacher to create activities that are fun and educational. This grade level is a time for kids to discover the world. This occurs through play and other interactive lessons. To be effective, you must think out-of-the-box and engage your students.
• Communication. All children are different. For the most part, preschool is the first formal classroom learning that occurs. Therefore, a preschool teacher must utilize various methods of communication to accommodate a multitude of learning styles. If you are preschool teacher, you must maintain solid communication with parents as well.

What Degrees Do You Need?

To become a preschool teacher, the lowest level of education that you need is a completed associate’s degree. Most likely, you will concentrate your studies on psychology or childhood education.

Most states have regulations in place that require preschool teachers to receive training before he or she is hired. For example, you may work as a teacher’s aid or a daycare worker. This provides invaluable knowledge about effectively shaping young minds.

Do You Need Any Certifications?

Certain states require certification for preschool teachers. For example, the Council for Professional Recognition Child Development Associate Certificate is granted to teachers who complete classroom training and observation. Also, you must pass an examination and must renew it every three years. You may receive a National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Child Care Professional Certificate after completing a two-year course. Usually, this is a smart path for a person with no college degree. To earn this certification, you must pass a test.

How Long Does Preschool Teacher Training Take?

The training time to become a preschool teacher varies and depends on your degree or certificate options. In certain instances, it may take two years or less. If a bachelor’s degree is necessary, it will take four years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that certain childcare facilities only require a high school diploma and a Child Development Associate Credential to fill this position.

How Much Will You Earn as a Preschool Teacher?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that a preschool teacher earns a median yearly income of $29,780. This amount depends on experience, school type, and location. Normally, private schools offer less pay than public school districts.

What are the Job Prospects for a Preschool Teacher?

Over the next five years, preschool education jobs are expected to grow by 10 percent. This is over the growth rate for all other employment. If you receive a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, you may be able to teach up to grade 3, which may bring advanced pay.

How to Find Work as a Preschool Teacher

If you have logged hours as a professional babysitter or a nanny, you have gained experience building a comfortable rapport with young children. As previously discussed, classroom experience as a teaching assistant or daycare aid can build a résumé when searching for employment. When you are actively looking for a job, it is vital to contact local school districts and private schools in your area and to inquire about open positions. This is your best chance of getting a preschool teaching position.

Recommended Online Preschool Teaching Degrees

Visit sites to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid

Related Articles:

What Degree Do You Need To Be A Teacher?

What Degree Do You Need to be An Art Teacher?

What Degree Do You Need to Be an Elementary Teacher?

A preschool teacher, also called a pre-kindergarten (pre-K) teacher, provides education, care, and nurturing in a school setting for children who are not yet old enough to enter kindergarten. They work at public or private schools and for religious institutions as well as Head Start and similar programs centered on under-served children. This guide provides further information on what preschool teachers do, how to become one, and salary and job outlook.

Preschool Teacher Job Description

Teachers at preschools instruct children who are between the ages of three and five. They work with small groups and teach basic skills through combined play and structured learning. They also help their students learn to socialize, both with adults and with peers. Preschool teachers plan lessons and activities teaching children basic motor and language skills. They also introduce children to routines and schedules, providing a safe place for them to grow and learn, with enough time to play and rest. As with other teaching jobs, being a preschool teacher can be rewarding as well as stressful; helping children develop important skills they will build on for a lifetime is certainly fulfilling, but the physical and mental effort it takes to care for children in their early years is also exhausting.

Preschool Teacher Requirements and Common Tasks

Necessary skills of preschool teachers include effective communication, the ability to instruct a group of students, and being good with children. Common tasks include teaching shapes, colors, early reading skills, numbers, and counting. Teachers will also teach social skills important to doing well in elementary school such as listening, sharing, cooperation, and working in groups. Supervising activities such as play, nap time, snack time, and field trips may also be required. Teachers of preschoolers foster an environment in which children can explore their interests, ask questions, and learn about the world around them. They also monitor students’ progress and keep parents up-to-date on the development of their children.

Early Childhood Education Degrees and Programs

How to Become a Preschool Teacher

Requirements for preschool teachers vary from state to state and from school to school. Some states and markets demand a high school diploma, while others call for a degree or certification in early childhood education (ECE), which covers preschool through third grade. Head Start preschool teachers must have an associate’s degree at minimum, but at least 50% of all Head Start teachers must have a bachelor’s degree in ECE or a closely-related field with experience.1 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most public school preschool teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education to teach.1 Preschool teachers in private schools may have different requirements. Bachelor’s degrees in ECE typically cover subjects such as early childhood development, teaching strategies for teaching young children, and basic courses in reading, math, and science. Those who are planning to become state-certified teachers should be sure to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. To be competitive in the job market, most preschool teachers complete the following steps to qualify for this career:

1. Earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
2. Complete a student teaching internship in a preschool classroom.
3. If required, take the state’s tests for preschool teacher certification and apply for a teaching certificate.
4. Begin applying to open preschool teacher positions.

While a four-year degree is not required for preschool teachers in all states, a teacher who has earned a bachelor’s degree will often be able to demand a higher salary and have more opportunities for advancement. The emphasis on hiring teachers who have taken college coursework in early childhood education and development is increasing, and potential preschool teachers should consider pursuing a degree. Educators who earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education may also qualify for teacher certification across a wider age range, which increases the number of job opportunities available.

Preschool Teacher Salary and Job Outlook

Prospects for preschool teachers are expected to remain strong as the emphasis on early childhood education increases. The profession is projected to grow about 7% by 2028, which is faster than the average for all occupations.1 The job also has a relatively high turnover rate, as many preschool teachers leave to pursue further education or care for their own families. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for preschool teachers was $29,780 as of 2018.1 Preschool teachers who have a bachelor’s degree will be more desirable than those without one. Similarly, potential teachers with a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Child Care Professional (CCP) certification may have an advantage.1

Helpful Skills and Experience

Successful preschool teachers possess patience, kindness, and the ability to respond properly to students’ developing emotional and physical needs. Teachers should also be able to inspire trust and motivate learning, as well as develop age-appropriate lessons. Effective teachers at this level realize how important play is for young children, and will be able to effectively incorporate learning into play. Good communication with parents, other teachers, administrators, and children is also important. A willingness to collaborate with other teachers is critical since working with multiple adults in the same room is common.

Additional Resources

• The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential: Obtaining the CDA credential helps teachers get better jobs in many preschools. This website explains how to get it.
• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) CCP Credential: This website explains how to earn the Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) credential, which may give potential teachers an advantage when looking for preschool jobs.
• The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): NAEYC provides content, discounts on resources, and networking opportunities for its members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do you need a degree to be a preschool teacher?

Answer: Whether you need a degree to teach preschool depends on the state and school where you hope to teach. Some schools may only require a high school diploma, while others require a college degree plus specific certification through the state education department. Most public preschools require a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education to be a preschool teacher.1 According to O*NET OnLine, 29% of respondents said that preschool teachers need a high school diploma or equivalent, while 17% said they need a bachelor’s degree.2

Question: How long does it take to become a preschool teacher?

Answer: Requirements for becoming a preschool teacher vary by state and school. Some require a high school diploma, while others require a college degree. The majority of preschool teachers hold at least an associate’s degree, which takes around two years to complete, or a bachelor’s degree, which takes around four years to complete.2

Question: How much do preschool teachers make an hour?

Answer: According to the BLS, preschool teachers earn a median salary of $29,780 per year, or $14.32 per hour.1 Teacher pay varies, however, based on a variety of factors such as degree earned, years of experience, school type, and location.

Question: What are the requirements to be a preschool teacher?

Answer: Depending on the type of school you work in, the requirements for prospective preschool teachers vary. If you want to work in a public preschool, however, you will likely need a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field from a state-approved program as well as state certification.

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Preschool Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm
2. O*NET OnLine, Preschool Teachers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2011.00