State and federal education reform initiatives are focused on establishing a greater number of high-quality preschool programs across the country. Why? Nearly 34% of children entering kindergarten lack the basic language skills needed to learn how to read, and by fourth grade, 65% read at or below the basic reading level.1
As a result of efforts to improve literacy, early childhood education professionals are finding more career opportunities in both traditional and nontraditional environments.
Traditional Early Childhood Education Career Settings
Opportunities for early childhood education professionals in traditional settings are expanding to meet the growing demand:
- Preschool or Child Care Center Director—The responsibilities of these positions include overseeing day-to-day operations, managing the center’s finances, supervising teachers and other staff, and communicating with parents about issues and concerns.
- Early Childhood Education Specialist—This position can entail being both a classroom instructor and a family counselor. The role may include helping develop personalized education plans for children and family members, assessing children’s progress, and communicating with parents. Specialists work in schools, child care centers, nonprofit organizations, preschool programs, and other government education programs for low-income and disadvantaged families.
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher—Children with physical and mental disabilities need educators who understand their learning obstacles and can successfully guide them at the preschool stage. Special education teachers are experienced in teaching general and specialized curricula as well as art- or music-related instruction specifically designed for special education students.
- Early Childhood Education Program Specialist for Government—These program specialists may be found at the U.S. Department of Education and other related government agencies. Their responsibilities include researching, designing, testing, and implementing new educational programs, as well as improving existing ones. Program specialists follow current educational trends and develop plans and initiatives that provide solutions to current early childhood education program issues.
Nontraditional Early Childhood Education Settings
Graduates of early childhood education degree programs are also in a good position to qualify for expanding career opportunities in nontraditional settings such as:
- Curriculum Development Specialist for Nonprofit Research Institutes—The mission of some private, nonprofit organizations is to improve upon existing educational policies and programs. To that end, they provide extensive educational research and technical services to government and public entities. Early childhood education specialists are involved in the research, development, adaptation, and implementation of early childhood learning curricula nationwide.
- Child Case Manager at Social Services Agencies—Early childhood education professionals may work with at-risk and disadvantaged children and help change the trajectory of their lives. Other social-services-related positions include family services worker, home visitor, human resources specialist, community care licensing analyst, and childcare resource and referral specialist.
- Preschool Admissions Coach—Why do parents need a coach to enroll their toddler in nursery school? In New York City—and other major cities—preschool can cost anywhere from $12,000 per year for five mornings a week at a neighborhood child care center to as much as $40,000 per year for a prestigious preschool connected to an elite private elementary school. The advice of an experienced admissions coach can be the difference between a child being accepted or denied admission. Top coaches can charge up to $150/hour for a phone consultation, $250/hour for a private meeting, and $400/couple for a workshop.2
Salaries for Early Childhood Education Professionals
Salaries and hourly fees span a fairly wide range in this field. For example, preschool and child care center directors earned a median salary of $47,940 in May 2018,3 while early childhood special education teachers earned a median salary of $59,780.4 Social services managers earned a median salary of $65,320 per year5, while preschool admissions coaches in major cities earned $250/hour2 for private consultation sessions with parents.
Top 5 Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
- BS in Elementary Education
- MS in Early Childhood Studies
- EdS in Early Childhood Education
- Doctor of Education (EdD) with a specialization in Early Childhood Education
- PhD in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy
Explore Walden University's early childhood education online degree programs for graduates and undergraduates. Get the help you need to continue your education and advance your career goals. Earn your degree in a convenient online format that fits your busy life.
1Source: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=147
2Source: www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/06/18/secrets-of-a-preschool-admissions-coach
3Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm
4Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm
5Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.