What To Know About Receiving an Early Childhood Education Degree

Key Takeaways

• Early childhood educators focus on the emotional, cognitive, and social development of children under the age of eight.
• Early childhood educators often work as preschool teachers, kindergarten teachers, university professors, curriculum developers, or in administrative roles.
• To earn a degree in early childhood education, you’ll need to attend a two-year or four-year college. Depending on your career path, you may also need a master’s degree or doctorate degree.
• The highest-paying careers in early childhood education include postsecondary education teachers, elementary school teachers, kindergarten teachers, and preschool teachers.

Do you have a love for working with young children and a passion for teaching? If so, an early childhood education degree just might be for you. But before you start making plans for college and a future career, we’re here to cover all you need to know about receiving a degree in early childhood education—including what you’ll be learning, who should consider it, its benefits, and where you can work.

What Is Early Childhood Education?

You’ve likely heard early childhood education referred to as “preschool,” “daycare,” or “pre-kindergarten.” Early childhood educators teach and provide care for children up to eight years of age. Those who work in this field typically focus on the emotional, cognitive, and social development of a child before they begin primary school. Studies have shown that children who receive early childhood education experience positive long-term benefits in their overall development, including improvements in IQ, performing well in school, and improved social behavior.

In early childhood education, teachers work with children to help develop fundamental life skills, as well as nurture their natural curiosity. And we can’t forget to mention how much fun is involved. Imagine playing, singing and dancing, teaching the ABCs, finger painting, coloring, and the list goes on—every day.

Who Should Consider Early Childhood Education as a Major?

Just like with any job, a career in early childhood education has its challenges and rewards. Thinking this could be for you? Ask yourself if any of these necessary skills align with your personality and interests:

• Do you have patience? Little children have big emotions, and they require a lot of patience as they learn and grow.
• Are you adaptable? When it comes to working with kids, no two days are the same. Flexibility is crucial here.
• Can you thrive in a fast-paced environment? Think snack time, play time, and story time—all before lunch. Keeping up with young children requires constant movement, quick thinking, and a little bit of chaos.
• Do you have a passion for child development? Being capable of understanding how children learn and grow is a huge part of the job.
• Are you creative? Helping little ones learn means sometimes you have to think outside of the box.
• Do you have strong communication skills? Whether it’s with children or their parents, being able to communicate is a must-have skill to help you succeed in this field.

If you gave a resounding yes to most (or all) of these questions, then early childhood education just might be your calling. Let’s keep going!

What Are the Benefits of Choosing Early Childhood Education as a Major?

When you choose a career that is focused on helping others, the benefits tend to be endless. Here are some of the top benefits of working in early childhood education:

• Making a Positive Impact: By providing learning opportunities in an engaging environment, you get to play a fundamental role in children’s development and prepare them for a lifetime of learning.
• A Deepening Understanding of Child Development: When you understand how children learn, think, and grow, you’re able to create an environment that supports their full development.
• Experiencing a Fulfilling Career: Teaching children can often be deeply satisfying and rewarding. Just imagine being greeted with excitement each morning, seeing a child light up when they understand something for the first time, and knowing that each day, you hold the power to make a difference.
• Supporting the Needs of Children: Every day, you get the opportunity to help children feel safe, heard, and capable of learning.
• Remaining a Lifelong Learner: Because education is constantly changing, educators often find themselves constantly growing as well—whether it’s through technology advancements, new teaching strategies, or learning important lessons from their students.

What Type of Degree Can I Earn in Early Childhood Education?

Depending on the career you see yourself in, there are different options for which early childhood education degree you can earn. Associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees are the most common, with most graduates going on to become preschool teachers or primary school teachers. However, some students do go on to earn their master’s degree or doctoral degree to work in research, higher education, or administrative roles.

What Can I Expect From Early Childhood Education Courses?

Before working in early childhood education, you’ll first need to attend and graduate from a two-year or four-year college. While in school, you’ll take your general education courses before transitioning into your specialized education-focused courses. Throughout your program, you’ll explore many topics related to early childhood education. These include:

• The cognitive, emotional, and physical growth of a child.
• The psychology behind how children think, learn, and develop their social-emotional skills.
• How to develop and implement engaging lessons and activities.
• How to use different teaching methods and strategies.
• Strategies for classroom management.
• How to create an inclusive classroom.
• Ways to communicate and build relationships with children and their families.

You’ll also have plenty of hands-on learning experiences, including classroom observations and student teaching. Through these, you’ll get your own opportunities to practice lesson planning, classroom management, and student interaction.

Where Can I Work With a Degree in Early Childhood Education?

If you’re thinking about a career in early childhood education, there are a range of positions that you could land after graduation. Here are some career paths you could take after graduation:

• Preschool Teacher: This is one of the most common career paths in early childhood education. You’ll spend your days with little ones (usually under the age of five), helping them learn fundamental life skills through socialization and play-based learning.
• Kindergarten Teacher: If you prefer structure and helping children transition into a more academic setting, then becoming a kindergarten teacher might be the career for you. While there’s still a lot of play and fun, you’ll be laying the foundations for reading, writing, and math.
• University Professor: Do you picture yourself teaching the next generation of teachers? If so, you may go the route of heading to graduate school to become a college professor.
• Curriculum Developer: For those who choose not to be in the classroom but still have a passion for shaping how kids learn, curriculum development might be for you. You’ll help develop lesson plans, teaching strategies, and teaching resources. This career typically requires graduate school.
• School Administrator: If you dream of being a leader who supports both teachers and children, you may decide to step into the role of a school administrator. Administrators work behind the scenes to make sure the school or preschool runs smoothly. This typically requires graduate school.

Early Childhood Education Job Outlook and Salary Potential

Here are the projected growth rates and median salaries for the highest paying early childhood education careers:

Top Five Schools for Studying Early Childhood Education

Ready to start looking into schools where you could study early childhood education? To get you started on your search, here are the five best colleges for earning an early childhood education degree:

1. West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Median Starting Salary: $55,444
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median Starting Salary: $48,799
3. California State University-Fullerton. Median Starting Salary: $47,359
4. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Median Starting Salary: (data not available)
5. California State University-Los Angeles. Median Starting Salary: $47,638

Is Early Childhood Education Right for You?

Being an early childhood educator could be a great career for anyone who loves working with children and desires to make a difference in the lives of others. If you’re interested in this career path, talk to your guidance counselor to see what your next steps could be. Just remember, shaping the minds of the next generation isn’t just your typical nine-to-five—it’s a deeply fulfilling and satisfying career. You hold the power to make a lasting impact!

Still deciding on which career is right for you? Use College Raptor’s Career Finder to look at any job’s projected growth, median wages, ideal majors, necessary skills, and more—all for FREE!