Early childhood education degree programs prepare teachers for early childhood education teacher certification and careers that span the preschool and early school years.
Students who enter early childhood education programs are doing so at an exciting time. There has been a movement toward increased PreK attendance and increased state funding. At the same time, there are challenges. Recent research has demonstrated that preschool, in its many forms, produces short-term gains – children enter kindergarten with greater literacy skills -- but large scale programs are uneven in their ability to provide lasting benefits. Deeper and richer programs have a better track record than programs that focus on a narrow set of ‘kindergarten ready’ academic skills, though the difference may not be apparent until the children have been in school a few years.
A key principal of early childhood education is developmentally effective teaching. Most people can teach some skills to young children, but they won't necessarily manage to do so in a way that supports their overall development. It can be quite a challenge to narrow achievement gaps in the context of developmentally appropriate learning! The early childhood teacher will learn how to set up the learning environment to foster engagement and how to communicate with young children in ways that support growth.
One reason early childhood programs are popular above the PreK level is the focus on the developmental level of young children. Some early childhood programs prepare teachers to work with all ages up to about third grade. Some offer preparation for a narrower age or grade band. The age or grade range will depend on an individual state's license endorsements. Many endorsements include children too young even for formal preschool.
The early childhood teacher will learn to support early language and literacy. If the program will lead to licensure in the early elementary grades, the teacher will often take discrete methods courses in each of the core subjects (math, science, social studies). Sometimes there is crossover with the elementary program.
There are often discrete courses in methods for kindergarten and pre-kindergarten. Some include preparation for working with infants and toddlers as well.
There are often several courses in differentiating instruction and meeting special needs. Programs place varying levels of focus on special education. Some states have early childhood unified degrees which bridge general and special education.
Programs foster professional development. Learning classroom management is integral. So is learning to support families and work within the greater professional community.
Much of the coursework may be completed online. However, a student can expect field experience. Early childhood education is sometimes divided theoretically into three age bands. Program will typically include experiences with at least two. Some programs are designed to accommodate working professionals. Experiences can shape post-graduation opportunity. Many students will consider it very important to have an experience in the traditional school grades.
It is sometimes possible to complete an out-of-state program. However, individual distance programs will have limits on the states from which they can accept students.
A license-seeking early childhood education major typically takes several tests. These may be incorporated into the program. An academic skills test may be required at some point, often at admission. The assessment may be the Praxis Core. Some programs include a formal portfolio assessment as part of the student teaching experience.
Not all early childhood education programs are license-qualifying. This doesn't mean they're not legitimate -- for the intended audience. They may be designed to meet high demand for degreed professionals in Head Start and other settings where public school licensure is not required. Such programs will likely offer preparation for a narrower age range than license-qualifying programs. Some are offered as part of career ladder programs designed to meet local needs; the bachelor’s may signal the top level. Completing a bachelor's offers a preschool teacher or assistant teacher the opportunity to take on higher level roles and earn a higher salary. There can be multiple reasons for selecting such a program, including supports offered in the workplace.
Entrance requirements and completion requirements will likely be different than those of license-qualifying programs. There has been a focus for a number of years on subject area preparation for public school teachers. At the lower level, where teachers are typically generalists, this translates into having a broad liberal arts background. A student whose education has been more vocational may not meet entrance requirements.
Ultimately, there are more opportunities for those with license-qualifying early childhood education. Typically there is greater salary potential though the public schools, though there can also be solid opportunities outside this arena.
License-qualifying programs are also available at the post-baccalaureate level. Opportunities will vary by location.
Programs may be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children or recognized by NAEYC as part of the accreditation process through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). There are a number of distinctions, some of which are of greater interest to administrators and policy makers. A program that is not license-qualifying will generally not hold CAEP accreditation but may hold NAEYC accreditation.
Some state licensing authorities place high value on CAEP accreditation. Not all states have NAEYC-recognized/ CAEP-accredited early childhood programs. The NAEYC has provided a program directory (https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/higher-ed/students).
Institutional accreditation is often more fundamental than programmatic accreditation. Individuals who attend regionally accredited schools (online or physical) typically have more opportunities for furthering their education and earning higher credentials.