For those who want to make a real difference in the lives of young children, a career in early childhood education (ECE) can be one of the most rewarding options out there. As an early childhood educator, you’ll have the opportunity to instill a lifelong love of learning in your students while setting future generations up for success and building meaningful relationships with families. What’s better than that?
So, what does it take to start a career in early childhood education, and what are the benefits of earning a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree as part of your professional journey? We’re getting into this and much more below so you can decide whether this path may be right for you!
What Is Early Childhood Education?
Specifically, early childhood education refers to both formal and informal education that children receive from non-family members from the time of birth through approximately age eight. According to the Institute of Education Sciences (EIS), the primary goal of early childhood education is “to improve academic and social behavioral outcomes for children from birth through third grade.”
Early childhood education professionals, including preschool teachers and special education assistants, are responsible for creating learning environments that support cognitive, social, and emotional development in young children.
How to Become an Early Childhood Educator
If you’re interested in working in early childhood education, your exact path can vary based on a few different factors. For starters, the exact role you’re interested in can have an impact on your professional journey. Likewise, licensing and certification requirements (which can vary by state) may also influence the type of education and/or experience you may need before you can enter the field.
Steps to Enter the ECE Field
Still, there are some general steps that all aspiring early childhood educators can expect to take as they begin their professional journeys.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
While a degree may not be required for all ECE positions (such as entry-level roles in daycares and/or preschools), having your degree could help set yourself apart from other candidates while qualifying you for more advanced roles in the field.
When exploring early childhood education classes and programs, be sure to choose an accredited option that aligns with your career goals. Ideally, your chosen program should also include a student teaching component where you’ll be able to gain some practical, hands-on experience in the field.
Obtain State Licensure and Certifications
Because each state has its own specific licensing requirements for early childhood educators, you’ll want to research the requirements for the state where you plan to live and work. Even if not mandatory in your state, some educators may pursue the Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential to set themselves apart and gain additional qualifications.
Find a Job in an ECE Setting
Once you have your degree (and license, if required), you can start applying for roles in preschools, kindergartens, childcare centers, and educational organizations. As you explore job openings, look for details about your preferred level of experience, education, certifications, and other credentials.
Continue Professional Development
Even once you begin working in the field, you might consider advancing your education or taking other steps to diversify your skill set. Many educators, for example, will pursue a master’s degree in education or a related field. If you’re not sure about committing to graduate school, even pursuing additional certifications can help you continue your professional development.
Why Earn a Degree in Early Childhood Education?
Still not sure whether a degree in ECE is right for you? If you aspire to work in a preschool, childcare center, or in a similar role, there are many reasons to pursue an early childhood education degree sooner rather than later.
Builds Essential Knowledge and Teaching Skills
For starters, a degree in ECE can provide you with a strong foundation in child psychology, development, and educational theory — all of which you’ll need to understand to create age-appropriate lesson plans and classroom activities for your students. Meanwhile, the coursework completed in an ECE degree program can teach you valuable behavior management strategies that can prepare you to work more effectively with young children from all different backgrounds.
Meets Licensing and Certification Requirements
Because many states require at least a bachelor’s degree in ECE to teach in early childhood settings, a degree can help you meet your state certification and licensure requirements. Meanwhile, a degree can prepare you to pass your CDA exam and earn your credentials and any other certifications. These designations can be useful even if you plan to live/work in a state where a degree is not required to work in ECE.
Increases Job Opportunities and Earning Potential
Today, many schools and childcare centers prefer hiring candidates with formal education in ECE or a related field. As a result, completing your degree may not only open more doors of opportunity to enter the field, but graduates may also qualify for higher-paying roles when compared to applicants without a formal degree.
Similarly, if you aspire to someday work in an ECE leadership role (such as preschool director or curriculum specialist), a formal degree can help prepare you for these advanced roles.
Expands Career Pathways Beyond Teaching
Believe it or not, many ECE graduates who start off in teaching positions end up going on to do other incredible things in the field. More specifically, a degree in ECE can lead to careers in such areas as:
- Curriculum development
- Child advocacy
- Early childhood administration
- Special education and intervention services
The versatile skills and knowledge you gain in an undergraduate ECE degree program can be readily applied to many other careers outside of teaching, making this an extremely versatile degree that can serve you well in other roles.
Provides Hands-On Experience
Last but not least, the right ECE degree program can also provide you with valuable hands-on experience. These programs include practical training through fieldwork and student teaching, giving you the opportunity to work in real-world classroom settings and interact with young children. This can be a great opportunity for you to apply the theories and concepts you’ve learned about in the classroom to a real-world teaching context.
At Baker College, our ECE degree program includes two practicums that include 135 hours of participation in a quality licensed program under supervision. These experiences focus on leadership, management, and other practical techniques that students have learned about in the classroom.
Baker College’s Online Live Learning Option
Pursuing a college degree while taking on other essential responsibilities (such as raising a family or working a full-time job) may seem challenging, but with the right program, it doesn’t have to be. At Baker College, our ECE degree program offers an “online live” learning option, making it ideal for working professionals and other busy students.
These sessions allow students to participate in discussions via live audio/video feeds while viewing lectures and presentations virtually in real time. This collaborative experience can help students enjoy the benefits of meeting in a small classroom setting without having to commute to a physical campus. Learn more about online live education options at Baker College.
Key Early Childhood Education Courses at Baker
As part of Baker’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program, students have the opportunity to build a strong foundation in child development, curriculum design, and classroom management. In fact, this curriculum is specifically designed to prepare future educators for teaching, administration, and leadership roles in early education settings.
Core ECE Courses
Baker’s ECE program includes a combination of foundational courses, hands-on training, and specialized learning experiences. Examples of core courses in this program include:
- Introduction to ECE
- Early Childhood Development
- Infant and Toddler Development
- Content Knowledge and Curriculum Development
- Anti-Bias in Education
Specialized Subject Areas
Throughout their studies in Baker’s ECE program, students will also have the opportunity to explore more specialized courses to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills. Some examples of electives here include:
- Music and Movement for Young Children
- Early Childhood Learning Environments
- Creative Activities
- Language Development and Language Arts
Field Experience and Student Teaching Opportunities
Finally, Baker’s ECE program integrates plenty of hands-on experience and fieldwork in the form of practicum hours to ensure that students are well-prepared for real-world teaching roles and the challenges that come along with them. Students in Baker’s ECE program are required to complete two practicum experiences in a supervised, quality early childhood setting, with each practicum consisting of 135 field hours.
Next Steps: Enrolling in Baker’s Early Childhood Education Degree
Choosing the right Early Childhood Education degree program can make all the difference in your professional journey. At Baker College, we’re proud to offer an online degree in Early Childhood Education that empowers you to create safe and inclusive environments that facilitate learning and exploration. Get in touch to learn more about Baker’s online Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program, or take the next step by completing your online application today.