If you love working with children and want to make a difference in young lives, then a career in early childhood education (ECE) could be the path for you. And while you may be able to break into some entry-level roles in ECE without a formal degree, the reality is that having a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education can open doors to diverse career opportunities inside and outside the classroom while equipping you with the comprehensive skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
What Is Early Childhood Education?
Specifically, early childhood education refers to the formal and informal education that children receive from the time of birth until about eight years of age. Early childhood education programs prepare children for life by helping them develop their social, cognitive, physical, and emotional skill sets. These programs also tend to place an emphasis on play-based learning, child-centered approaches, and the importance of both family and community involvement as children grow and learn.
The Role of an Early Childhood Educator
Early childhood educators can empower young children to develop these skills in a variety of ways — and the exact role of an early childhood educator can vary greatly depending on the age group being taught and the type of program. However, most professionals working in this type of role carry key responsibilities such as:
- Curriculum and lesson planning
- Teaching students basic skills
- Supporting children in their emotional and social development
- Keeping children safe at all times
How a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education Can Advance Your Career
More than just an academic achievement, a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree can serve as a significant step toward a rewarding and impactful career in a number of ways.
Access to Diverse Career Opportunities
Having your early childhood education degree can be a great way to broaden your career options and pursue specialized paths that best align with your strengths, interests, and professional goals.
Inside the Classroom
If you’re interested in early childhood education careers in the classroom, an undergraduate ECE degree is often the minimum requirement for teaching positions in public schools, including roles as preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary teachers.
Likewise, with specialized coursework, ECE graduates can even work with children who have diverse learning needs or learning disabilities, which can pave the path to rewarding jobs in special education.
Outside the Classroom
Seeking careers for early childhood education out of the classroom? An ECE degree could qualify you for work in:
- Administrative positions, such as childcare center director or program administrator, where you can have a direct impact on the quality and direction of educational programs
- Curriculum development, such as roles that allow you to take part in the design of educational materials for schools and other organizations
- Policy and advocacy, including roles with government agencies and nonprofits to shape policies that have a direct impact on childhood education
- Family and community services, such as family support specialist or early intervention specialist positions that help students grow and learn in important ways outside of the traditional classroom
Higher Earning Potential and Advancement
In addition to diverse ECE careers inside and outside the classroom, having your degree in early childhood education could also help you increase your earning potential and career progression opportunities, which could lead to:
- More competitive salaries, as bachelor’s degree holders tend to earn more than those with no degrees or associate degrees alone
- Leadership role opportunities, which come with increased responsibilities and compensation
- Other promotions, as formal credentials can set you up for advancement opportunities within your organization
Enhanced Professional Skills
When you earn your ECE degree, you complete specialized coursework that allows you to develop foundational skills and knowledge as well as makes you a more effective educator and valuable asset to your employer. In fact, with the in-depth knowledge gained in a degree program, you can improve your:
- Classroom management, or your ability to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students
- Assessment and evaluation, or skills related to assessing children’s development and personalizing their learning experiences as needed
- Cultural competence, or your ability to work effectively with children and families from diverse backgrounds
Professional Credibility and Recognition
Meanwhile, having a formal ECE degree may also help you designate yourself as a qualified professional who is truly dedicated to excellence in the field. This is especially true if you plan to pursue your teaching certification and/or licensure, which requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in many states.
A degree can also help you improve your credibility with potential employers — demonstrating your commitment and expertise — while helping you stand out among other candidates. Plus, if you plan to join any professional organizations within the field (such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children), you’ll need to have a degree.
Foundation for Graduate Studies
A Bachelor of Early Childhood Education may only be a starting point when it comes to your formal education in this dynamic industry. Many professionals working in ECE end up taking their education even further to pursue higher-level positions, increase their earning potential, and qualify for more specialized roles.
If you dream of someday completing a graduate-level degree in education, then you’ll need to have an undergraduate degree to get accepted into a master’s or doctoral degree program. From there, you may have the ability to specialize in areas of the field like curriculum design, special education, and educational leadership — or even engage in research projects that contribute to the field at large.
Networking and Professional Connections
Being part of an ECE degree program can also be an ideal way to build a robust professional network, which can open new doors of opportunity related to potential jobs and collaborations.
In an ECE degree program, for example, you’ll have the chance to connect with fellow students who share your passion for teaching young children. Additionally, you’ll learn from experienced educators who can provide genuine guidance, references, and opportunities while gaining real-world experience through internships and practicums during your studies.
Contribution to Societal Impact
Using your ECE degree to work in early childhood education offers an unrivaled sense of personal fulfillment, too, especially in knowing that you’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Serving as a positive influence in a child’s learning and development while working with communities to support children’s well-being, you can do your part to contribute to a better society.
Adaptability to Changing Educational Landscapes
The field of early childhood education is constantly changing, and professionals in this field need to be prepared to keep up with current best practices and new trends. With the skills and knowledge learned in an ECE degree program, professionals can be prepared to integrate new technologies into their classrooms while staying on top of the latest methodologies, research, policies, and regulations in ECE.
Personal Growth and Satisfaction
For those who sincerely enjoy working with young children, having an ECE degree can lead to exciting career opportunities that align with their passions and values. This type of fulfilling career path allows you to experience the rewards that come along with contributing to children’s growth and learning at such a critical age.
Career Opportunities with an Early Childhood Education Degree
What exactly can you do with your ECE degree at the undergraduate level? Whether you’re interested in roles inside the classroom, outside the classroom, or more specialized positions, there are plenty of possibilities to consider.
Careers Inside the Classroom
If you aim to work your magic in a classroom setting, explore these popular job titles below.
Preschool Teacher
Preschool teachers play a pivotal part in the early learning and development of young children. These teachers typically work with students ages five and younger, providing them with a solid foundation of social, emotional, and cognitive skills that can prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.
Kindergarten and Early Elementary Teacher
Typically, kindergarten and early elementary teachers work with children from the ages of five (kindergarten age in the United States) through fifth grade. At the kindergarten level, teaching may be centered on literacy and social skills — whereas other grades may focus more on math, science, reading, social studies, and other subjects.
Special Education Teacher
Students with special needs or learning disabilities may benefit from working with a special education teacher who has received specialized training on how to best serve these unique learners. Special education teachers adapt lessons to meet learners’ specific needs while providing an accessible and supportive classroom environment that is conducive to learning both academic skills and life skills.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
For non-native English speakers, working with an ESL teacher can be a great way to receive the personalized guidance needed to succeed while learning English as a second language. More specifically, these teachers help students learn to speak and write English while helping bridge their native cultures with classroom experiences.
Careers Outside the Classroom
Looking to make a difference beyond the traditional classroom? You might be interested in one of the following roles instead.
Childcare Center Director
Childcare center directors are in charge of entire daycares or other centers of early learning. They are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, hiring/training staff, managing budgets, and ensuring that programs meet quality and compliance standards.
Family Support Specialist
Meanwhile, family support specialists (FFS) are social workers to help children and families improve their academic performance as well as their overall well-being. They are responsible for helping families find services (such as counseling) and advocating for their clients’ rights at all times.
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum developers play a critical role in early childhood education because they are the ones responsible for creating curricula, developing learning materials, and ensuring that educators are on board with the implementation of new curricula.
Child Life Specialist
Another essential role in ECE is that of the child life specialist (CLS), a professional who is responsible for assisting families (including children) when a major illness, injury, or other life events occur. These professionals can help young children better understand their diagnoses while providing emotional support, family support, and other resources.
Early Intervention Specialist
Early intervention specialists work specifically with babies and toddlers to help identify and assist those with developmental delays or learning disabilities. They are responsible for creating individualized educational plans (IEPs) for these children and helping them optimize their learning and development.
Alternative and Emerging Careers
As the field of early childhood education evolves and develops, new roles also emerge. Consider some of these up-and-coming job titles in the field and whether they may align with your own interests and career goals.
Educational Consultant
Some schools, learning centers, or other organizations may bring in educational consultants to help them develop their curricula, improve teaching methods, or even expand their program offerings. This job requires an extensive understanding of many ECE topics, ranging from classroom management strategies to working with children with special needs.
Policy Advocate
Policy advocates are professionals who strive to change and implement policies related to early childhood education in order to benefit students and their families. They may be responsible for tasks such as performing research to support policy proposals and lobbying legislators for change.
ECE Researcher
Some universities, agencies, and organizations might also hire early childhood education researchers to help them better understand certain areas or topics in the field. These professionals may propose research topics, design research studies, and carry out research to inform the field as a whole.
Corporate Trainer or Consultant
Last but not least, early childhood education trainers and consultants are responsible for helping educators improve their own methods and techniques in the classroom. They may assist, for example, in training teachers on new classroom management strategies or other instructional practices.
The Future of Early Childhood Education
While only time will tell exactly what the future holds for early childhood education as a field, current trends in education — such as a renewed focus on social-emotional learning and personalized learning — may spark a higher demand for early childhood education specialists. Meanwhile, government initiatives in the form of federal grants (like the Preschool Development Grant and Head Start) are making it easier for families to afford the quality education they need for young children.
Start Your Career in Early Childhood Education at Baker
With so many potential careers in early childhood education, this is an excellent field to explore if you strive to make a difference in the lives of young children. Of course, many of these roles require (or at least prefer) applicants to have their undergraduate degrees in ECE or a related field.
If you’re looking for an ECE degree that will prepare you to create safe environments where children can learn, explore, and grow, the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Baker College may be right for you. In addition, for those interested in an early childhood education online degree, our program is offered in an Online Live format for added flexibility and versatility with your busy schedule.Contact us to learn more about this program, or get started by completing your online application today.