1. The Field of Early Childhood
Education
BY: BREANNA BENNETT

2. What is the Early Childhood Education?
 Early childhood education consists of activities and/or
experiences that are intended to effect developmental
changes in children prior to their entry into elementary
school (Encyclopedia of Children’s Health, 2012) .

3. Why is Early Childhood Education Important?
 Teachers and caregivers who work along side young children not only
recognize these sensitive periods of development, but also tailor their
activities to help further these experiences.

4. Obtaining a Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Like most areas of study, the school of Early
Childhood Education offers many different type of
degrees and certification. These areas include:
- CDA ( Child Development Associate)
- Associate’s Degree (2yr)
- Bachelor’s Degree ( 4 yr)
- Master’s Degree ( Graduate School)
- Doctorate Degree ( Ph. D in Education)

5. Using an Associates Degree in Early Childhood
Education.
 An Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education
typically comes from a two- year college. Most daycare and
preschool agencies allow college graduates with an
Associate's degree teaching opportunities. While a two- year
degree allows its graduates to teach in preschools, these
individuals do not qualify for full teacher accreditation
(Upstein,2012).
 Average Salary: $23,000 to $26, 000

6. Using a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood
Education.
 College graduates who hold a bachelor’s degree in Early
Childhood Education will be able to obtain a state- issued
teaching certificate. Teachers with a four year degree can
get jobs in preschools who follow NAEYC standards
(Head Start) and work in public school districts teaching
up to the third grade (Upstein,2012).
 Average salary for preschool teachers is $25,000.
 Average salary for teachers in public school districts is
$40,000.

7. Using a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood
Education.
 Teachers who hold mater’s degrees usually concentrate their
studies in special areas such as special education. Preschools
don’t generally increase the salary of a teacher who holds a
master’s degree . Therefore, most preschool teachers with
master’s degrees take specialized positions in the agency
(Upstein,2012).
 Average salary can reach $60, 000.

8. Using a Doctorate Degree in Early Childhood
Education.
 Early Childhood professionals who obtain a Doctoral
Degree in Education often serve as directors of preschool
programs and administrators in public schools
(Upstein,2012).
 Annual Salary of administrators in the Early Childhood
field may reach $75,000.

9. Job Opportunities in the Field of Early Childhood
Education.
 Child Care Worker
 Preschool Teacher
 Kindergarten Assistant
 Public School Teacher
 Administrator

10. A Career as a Child Care Worker.
 Child care workers can work in day care centers
community programs, and non profit organizations. Child
care workers can work with a specific age group or with
special needs students ( Thelin, 2011).

11. A Career as a Preschool Teacher.
 Preschool teachers prepare young children for future
elementary education. Preschool teachers introduce
counting, colors, and letter identification (Thelin, 2011).

12. A Career as a Kindergarten Assistant.
 As the kindergarten year progresses teachers and assistant
teachers introduce standards such as science, math, social
studies , and language arts. Assistant teachers typically
hold an associates degree and help children complete
projects and supervise students (Thelin, 2011).

13. A Career as a Public School Teacher.
 Public school teachers typically teach specific subjects or
age groups up to the third grade. Public school teachers
can choose to specialize in special education and teach
special education classes or teach general education
classes (Thelin, 2011).

14. A Career as an Administrator.
 Early Childhood Administrators manage daily agency
operations and ensure that the curriculum in each
classrooms is child and developmentally appropriate.
Administrators are typically required to hold a master’s
degree (Thelin, 2011).

15. My Short Term Goals.
 My short term education goals are to complete my
Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Ivy
Tech. After completing my associates degree I plan on
transferring to Ball State to complete my bachelor’s
degree in Early Childhood Education.

16. My Long Term Goals.
 My long term goal is to graduate from Ball State and add on
4th, 5th, and 6th grade to my teaching license. Five years from
now my goal Is to be teaching in a local Elementary School.
My ultimate teaching goal is to someday open my own
private Christian preschool.

17. References :
 "Early Childhood Education." Encyclopedia of Children’s Health
, 2012. Available online at http://www.healthofchildren.com/E-
F/Early-Childhood-Education.html. (accessed February 5, 2012).

Thelien, Nicole. “ Jobs with an Early Childhood Degree”.
eHOW, 2011. Available online at
http://www.ehow.com/about_5212982_jobs-early-childhood-
degree.html. (accessed February 5, 2012).
 Epstein, Peggy. “ Early Childhood Education Salary Range”.
eHOW, 2012. Available online at
http://www.ehow.com/about_5390800_early-childhood-
education-salary-range.html .( accessed February 5, 2012).