Is An Early Childhood Education Career for You?
What does an early childhood educator do?
If you work in early childhood education, you will look after and teach infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Depending on the qualifications you get your responsibilities will vary.
Most ECEs work with children between the ages of 2 and 5. Others work in after school programs that take children up to 12 years old.
What kinds of activities would I do all day?
- create schedules and routines for children and implement them
- create, research and direct learning games and activities
- administer first aid and respond to emergencies
- help children learn with arts, crafts and music
- communicate with parents about their children's development
- work full days that may start early and work in a job site that is demanding and hectic
What kinds of places will employ me if I am an early childhood educator?
- nursery schools
- preschools
- daycares
- community centers
- recreational facilities
- your own daycare or preschool
What kind of early childhood education training will I receive?
- early learning areas
- child development studies
- social and emotional development
- play and creativity
- art, music, crafts and movement activities
- child care management
- food and nutrition
- health and safety
- special needs
- professionalism
What qualities do I need to work with young children?
- have a relaxed and flexible personality
- enjoy working with children
- desire to improve communication skills
- knowledge of first aid and CPR
- a clean criminal record
- pay attention to details
- be able to plan ahead
- a good imagination
What early childhood education career paths are available to me?
An Assistant Early Childhood Educator - may have volunteer experience working with children and is often working towards their degree or diploma. They assist fully qualified ECE instructors and may be assigned more of the cleaning and food preparation type tasks.
An Early Childhood Educator - has a degree or diploma in early childhood education and is responsible for planning yearly, monthly and weekly themes and daily activities, caring for and teaching the children, supervising assistants, chatting with parents.
Supervisors - have several years of experience and direct all the programs and activities of a daycare center; manage a group of ECEs; do administrative work as well as deal with parents.
Directors - oversee more than one centers, may teach other ECE students, check government policies and regulations, establish and record workplace policies and work with the government for funding.
Early childhood education parent handout...
Job Pros
- see personal growth in children academically, socially and emotionally
- each day is different
- form attachments with children and parents
- developing an understanding of how children learn
Job Cons
- long and early hours
- lots of cleaning, toys, counters, children
- competition for senior positions
- parents who treat their children unfairly
Early Childhood Education Salaries
Somewhere between $20 - 45,000 a year depending on where you live and what type of degree or certification you get.
