Early Childhood Education Certification, Child Care Workers, Early Childhood Education Degrees

Early Childhood Education is the experiences that the child has in Childcare, Pre-School and to some extent, Kindergarten.  Educators have come to understand that the earliest years of a child’s life can be the most formative and that a nurturing environment is critical.

Child Care Workers and Pre-School Teachers have a lot to providing that early, positive environment.  In a Child Care Environment, what infants and toddlers require most is positive attention.  Preschool Children learn mainly through play and interactive activities.

For Pre-School Teachers and Day Care Center Operators – essentially the same job -  some States require a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, while others require an Associate’s Degree, and still others require Certification by a nationally recognized authority. The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, the most common type of certification, requires a mix of classroom training and experience working with children.

Degrees for Early Childhood Education Professionals

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Bachelors/Masters in Early Childhood Education
• Child Development Associate Credential

Median Salaries for Early Childhood Education Professionals

Source: Salary.com

From the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics,

Comparative Wages for Child Care Workers: