Early childhood educators play a pivotal part in the life of a young child. Not only do these educators lay the foundation for lifelong learning and development, but they also have the unique opportunity to shape young lives in numerous ways. Plus, with a growing demand for childcare services across the nation, many centers are hiring qualified educators with degrees in early childhood education.
Interested in a rewarding career in this field? With a better understanding of what a day in the life of an early childhood educator entails, you can determine whether this path may be right for you.
Understanding the Role of an Early Childhood Educator
At its core, early childhood education (ECE) centers on the education of children from birth to around the age of eight. During these critical formative years, early education has a crucial role in a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator
While early childhood educator roles vary in daily duties, some of the most common responsibilities of these professionals include:
- Curriculum development – Create lesson plans that cater to children’s different developmental stages, learning styles, and unique needs.
- Classroom management – Establish familiar and predictable routines and manage student behaviors.
- Assessment and observation – Monitor each child’s individual progress toward goals/milestones and adapt teaching methods as needed to support students in their learning journeys.
- Family engagement – Communicate with parents and caregivers to keep them informed on their child’s progress and provide them with ideas to support learning at home.
- Professional development – Engage in continuous learning and professional development to stay updated with educational best practices.
Preparing for the Day
No two days are exactly alike in the world of an early childhood educator. However, most ECEs follow a similar daily routine that begins with preparing learning materials, welcoming children as they arrive, and interacting with parents and guardians during drop-offs.
Early Morning Routine
An ECE’s day may begin with:
- Classroom setup – This may mean arriving early to prepare the classroom for the day and involve setting up activity stations and other materials.
- Reviewing lesson plans – Finalize daily objectives, learning outcomes, and activities.
- Collaboration with colleagues – Attend brief meetings with assistant teachers or aides to coordinate the day’s schedule.
Welcoming the Children
As students begin arriving to the classroom, an ECE’s focus may shift toward:
- Greeting students – Giving students a warm welcome can help foster a positive atmosphere and set the tone for a day of productive learning and growth.
- Morning check-ins – Educators should carefully observe each child’s mood and readiness to learn in preparation for the day ahead.
- Parental interactions – Educators may hold brief conversations with parents and guardians at drop-off to provide updates or address concerns.
Engaging Learning Activities
As the school day kicks off, early childhood educators may lead a number of engaging activities to help children learn and develop while having fun in the process.
Circle Time
Circle time is often used to start off the day in an ECE classroom. By gathering children into a circle and starting the day with group activities, students and educators can enjoy a sense of community. During circle time, educators may lead songs, read stories, share classroom news, or play games. This part of the day gives students an opportunity to develop their language, listening, and social skills in a supportive environment.
Thematic Learning Centers
Many educators also utilize thematic learning centers to facilitate learning, encourage students to explore, and meet the diverse needs of different students. Some examples of these learning centers educators may use include:
- Literacy centers with reading and writing activities.
- Math centers with counting, sorting, and basic arithmetic.
- Science centers with opportunities for exploration and experimentation.
- Art centers with creative projects that allow children to explore different art mediums.
Outdoor Play and Physical Development
Outdoor play and physical development are a critical part of any young child’s day. Physical play allows children to enhance their motor skills while improving their coordination and overall physical health. Educators may offer a combination of structured games and free play while supervising for safety (especially among younger children).
Midday Duties
As the day progresses, early childhood educators must start planning for lunchtime, rest time, and the remainder of the afternoon.
Lunchtime Routines
During lunchtime, educators have a responsibility to encourage nutritious eating and proper hygiene, which may involve having children wash their hands before sitting down to eat. In addition, educators may provide guidance when it comes to fostering manners and social/conversational skills during mealtime.
Rest Time
For younger children, nap time or rest time may still be a part of the daily schedule. During this time, educators may set the classroom up for nap time and/or other quiet activities while providing comfort to children who may have difficulty resting or staying quiet.
Planning and Documentation
During rest time, educators may also have the opportunity to catch up on some administrative tasks, such as updating records or making adjustments to lesson plans. This may include recording student observations or assessments as well as reflecting on the morning and preparing for the remainder of the day.
Afternoon Activities and Challenges
Later in the afternoon, ECEs are responsible for continuing education through play while addressing potential behavioral issues and ensuring that all students are supported and included.
Continuing Education Through Play
Early childhood educators may plan dedicated afternoon projects and extended learning activities — like group projects or experiments — to keep students learning and engaged. In some cases, educators may offer opportunities for child-led exploration as a means of promoting independence and allowing children to pursue their own interests.
Addressing Behavioral Issues
Inevitably, early childhood educators will need to address behavioral issues among students. This may include common challenges like tantrums, conflicts between children, or learning and attention difficulties. Specifically, educators may rely on strategies like positive reinforcement, redirection, and conflict resolution to address issues and maintain harmony in the classroom.
Inclusion
Early childhood educators have a responsibility to support all learners by adapting activities for children with special needs. Likewise, educators should incorporate diverse perspectives and materials into their lesson plans to support cultural sensitivity and ensure all children feel included and valued as part of the classroom.
End-of-Day Responsibilities
As the school day comes to a close, educators spend their time preparing for dismissal and planning for the next day.
Preparing for Dismissal
Transition routines are important in preparing students for the end of the school day. Educators tend to follow the same routine each day — which may include cleaning up the classroom, packing up children’s belongings, and preparing children for their departure. As parents and guardians pick their children up, educators may share daily highlights and updates, along with any concerns or special achievements.
Reflecting on the Day
The end of the school day is also a key time for educators to reflect on what went well that day as well as what areas could use improvement. On some days, educators may have brief meetings to attend after the school day ends that allow them to collaborate with colleagues and discuss classroom observations or strategies.
Planning Ahead
Before heading home for the day, educators may finalize their lesson planning and prepare for the next day’s activities. Some may even opt to plan further ahead in the future and engage in ongoing learning opportunities — such as taking courses through an online early education degree program to enhance their professional development.
Balancing Challenges and Rewards
Working in ECE can be highly rewarding, but this isn’t to say the work doesn’t accompany its own inherent challenges.
Emotional Demands
Coping with the high-energy environment of an early childhood classroom and the emotional needs of young children can be demanding, especially for new teachers. Likewise, maintaining a solid work-life balance and protecting one’s personal well-being may take some time for new educators to figure out.
The Joys of Teaching Early Childhood
Working in early childhood education is fulfilling, particularly when you get to celebrate children’s progress and breakthroughs while building meaningful bonds with children and their families.
Professional Satisfaction
Finally, there is the satisfaction that comes with knowing that you’re playing a central role in shaping young minds and preparing them for their futures. And, with plenty of opportunities for advancement with a degree in ECE, educators may even be able to move into leadership roles or explore other areas of interest within the field.
Advancing Your Career with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
Still wondering whether a degree in ECE is right for you? Consider the following:
Benefits of an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
With an associate degree in ECE, you’ll gain essential skills and foundational knowledge in child development, practical teaching strategies, and classroom management. Meanwhile, a degree could help qualify you for positions like lead teacher, program coordinator, or educational assistant. For many, an ECE degree serves as a pathway into other degrees in higher education, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
How the Degree Enhances Classroom Practice
The skills and knowledge gained in an ECE degree program can also help you stay up to date on the latest in education research and how to apply it to the classroom. Additionally, completing an ECE degree can help educators build confidence in their decision-making while enjoying unique networking opportunities that connect them to mentors and other professionals in the field.
Start Your Online Early Education Degree at Baker
If you enjoy working with young children and can envision yourself thriving as an early childhood educator, then it may be time to pursue your degree in this area. At Baker College, we’re proud to offer an online associate degree in early childhood education that can be completed in as little as two years. This career-focused program combines traditional learning with hands-on fieldwork to prepare students for future roles as preschool teachers, childcare program directors, teacher assistants, and more.Contact us to learn more about our early childhood education program or any others offered through Baker College. You can also get started with your online application for admission today.