How to become An Early Education Teacher

Encourage a child to act on their natural desire to explore the world around and learn from it through experience, so they are prepared for life and for making good choices. That is the basic tenet that guides Early Childhood Education ( ECE) Teachers who gift them with the “roots of responsibility and the wings of independence,” as remarked by Maria Montessori.

• Preschool Teacher
• Childhood Educator
• Community Teacher
• Early Childhood Teacher
• Early Education Teacher
• Elementary School Teacher
• Kindergarten Teacher
• Master Teacher
• Preschool Teacher
• Pre-K Teacher

What do ECE Teachers do?

An ECE Teacher would typically need to:

• Motivate children to learn through experience; conduct group or one-on-one sessions, depending on the needs of the child and the content
• Foster mathematical and creative development through stories, songs, games, drawing, and imaginative play
• Develop and implement a curriculum to reinforce child development through basic skills such as identifying colours & shapes, vocabulary, essential reading & writing, and social interaction
• Produce visual aids and teaching resources which prompt curiosity and encourage the children to learn about the world around them
• Enhance the children’s personal, social, linguistic, and physical development in a positive environment
• Observe and keep records of a child’s progress to detect cognitive and behavioural concerns; share knowledge with other practitioners
• Build and maintain an effective relationship with parents; inform them of any concerns regarding their child; attempt to address the situation with relevant teaching tools
• Create a secure learning environment; care for the children’s mental and physical health inside and outside of the classroom
• Plan and coordinate indoor and outdoor activities of the children with the help of teaching assistants, nursery nurses and volunteer helpers
• Attend staff meetings and training programs; keep track of and implement changes in the curriculum as well as advances in best practice

The amount of time ECE Teachers spend indoors or outdoors in the discharge of their duties depends on their geographic location and the specific institution that employs them. Whether travel is required also depends on the employer. Most schools offer transportation to their staff.

ECE Teachers generally work eight hours a day, during the traditional ten-month school year. Some teachers may need to undertake school-related activities during the two-month summer break.

Most work nine weeks in a row and take a three-week break before starting a new school session.

Those employed by daycare centres may work year-round with longer working hours. Working overtime may be necessary for staff meetings, inspections, and parent consultations.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. ECE Teachers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

ECE Teachers are generally employed by:

• Kindergartens
• Daycares
• Public & Private Schools
• Preschools
• Community centres
• Companies that offer daycare services 

Professional associations and organisations such as the International Association of Educators are crucial for an ECE Teacher interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their occupation.

Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Working with small children can be tiring and demanding as each one is unique with different abilities
• Identifying the diverse needs of their charges and applying the correct teaching method requires patience and wisdom
• Maintaining a positive attitude and enthusiasm in the face of challenging situations and lack of expected results
• Complying with the school’s goals, which require changing the curriculum; lack of a proper break for those who work throughout the year

Usually, ECE Teachers require up to 2 years of experience working with infants/toddlers; those with a degree in a related field must have experience teaching preschool-age children. Volunteering at play schemes or playgroups and visiting nurseries and schools to observe professionals in the field is also suggested.

Those who are interested in the graduate employment-based route would typically work in early years setting. As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession and interviewing those working in ECE will offer proof of your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Although an associate degree is a minimum qualification ECE Teachers need, employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in ECE or a similar field.

Generally, employment in public schools requires a bachelor’s degree, which includes instruction in children’s development, teaching young children, and observing and documenting children’s progress.

Certification demonstrates an ECE Teacher’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Suggested certification includes CPR and first aid training, reconceptualising ECE (RECE), infant/toddler certification, and workplace hazardous materials information skills (WHMIS).

ECE Teachers require a license to practice. Requirements vary according to location, but generally it requires a bachelor’s degree and passing an examination.

ECE Teachers could follow the traditional path and become elementary-school, middle-school, or high-school teachers. Elementary school would be the least challenging option as the teaching style is similar to early education.

Interested ECE Teachers may follow a different career path and become childcare workers after earning the requisite credentials.

ECE Teachers who have experience working with children and desirable certification have the best job prospects.

Most locations require ECE Teachers to earn continuing education credits to retain their license. Some may need the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which must be renewed every three years.

Both necessitate coursework, experience in the field, a written exam, and observation of candidates working with children. They allow you to keep up to date with developments in early childhood education while illustrating your commitment to the cause and career advancement.

You may need a different certification based on the age of your students. In countries with a split system, where children attend a separate institution until they turn three, you may need a certification of child care and childhood development to pursue a career in ECE.

Regular insightful discussions with seasoned colleagues will help you learn from their considerable experience in the field.

Always on your toes

Children are often wise beyond their years, and the way they look at the world is very different from that of adults. ECE Teachers are always on their toes to ensure the safety and development of their students.

Consequential Responsibilities

Parents entrust you with not just the safety and care of their children, but more importantly, with their futures. ECE teachers provide the foundation for the future learning of students. Their goal is to ensure that students are ready when they enter “the real world.”

Before children learn to communicate via language fully, there are four primary stages they will go through: babbling, single-word stage, two-word sentences, and finally, multi-word stage.

Children are naturally curious and need a safe space to explore the world and their interests. ECE Teachers challenge themselves regularly to ensure their charges make the most of such a privilege. The tantrums, the long hours, and the “difficult to handle” students all pale in comparison to the impact of proper education on these bastions of the future.

Get to know your students, be creative, establish a routine, and be yourself!