Early Childhood Roles and Opportunities
Early childhood education professionals have many opportunities for career options in the field. It is important that professionals considering a career in early childhood education are familiar with the variety of the positions and organizations available to them.
For this assignment:
- Create a PowerPoint presentation that highlights early childhood roles and opportunities for professionals who are considering a career in the field.
- Identify 5 different potential job titles.
Describe each job and any organizations that might employ such a position.
Include education and experience requirements as well as any requirements specific to your state that might be relevant. - Your presentation should include 1 title slide, at least 10 content slides, and a reference slide containing APA formatted references if relevant.
Early Childhood
Roles and Opportunities
Early Childhood Advocacy, Research and policy
Rasmussen College
What jobs are available?
Preschool Teacher
Child Care Center Director
Family Support Specialist
Elementary School Teacher
Child Development Services Coordinator
2
Preschool Teacher
Preschool Teachers can work within Center or In-Home Programs.
The location must be licensed to meet the basic needs of ECE and the children it serves.
Many Center based programs can be within non-profit organizations, and sometimes for-profit organizations.
Preschool Teacher Requirements
A teacher must be at least 18 years of age, and meets teacher criteria as follows:
A teacher must have a high school diploma, or that of equivalence as well as 4,160 hours as assistant teacher experience.
A teacher must have a diploma from an accredited college with their Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education with 2,080 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern experience.
A teacher must have their Child Development Associates Certificate as well as 1,560 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern experience.
A Bachelorettes Degree as well as 1,040 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern experience.
A License from the MN- Department of Education and 520 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern if teaching children under school age (DHS, 2017).
.
A teacher must have experience with:
Curriculum planning, Early Childhood Education Theories, working with children and families, behavior guidance, nutrition, be familiar with licensing requirements within childcare centers, child development, developmentally appropriate practices and working with children with special needs ( Sara, 2014).
Child Care Center Director
A child Care Center Director would be within any licensed Early Childhood Education provider within the state.
Responsible for the day to day operations within the ECEC.
Child Care Center Directors can find positions within Non-profit and For-Profit agencies/ organizations.
Child Care Center Director Requirements
A center Director must be at least 18 years of age, and meets the following criteria:
If taking on any Teaching responsibilities within the classroom the Director must meet teaching criteria as well as Center Director Critera.
A director must at minimum be a graduate of a high school or hold an equivalent diploma attained through successful completion of the commissioner of education-selected high school equivalency test.
A Director must have at least 1,040 hours staff supervision experience.
A Director must have at least nine quarter credits or 90 hours earned in any combination of accredited courses in staff supervision, human relations, and child development (DHS, 2017).
A director must have experience with:
Helping improve curriculum standards, maintaining teachers in-service hours and trainings, be familiar with MN state licensing requirements for Child Care Centers, be comfortable and familiar with record keeping, have the ability to maintain communication between staff and families, be comfortable with evaluating and hiring staff and be familiar with child assessments and curriculum practices (Heinrich, 2017).
Family Support Specialist
Working within School District’s
Child Care Centers
County Assistance Service Locations
Family Support Specialist Requirements
A Family Support Specialist must be at least 18 years of age.
Has a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma.
Can Pass a background Check.
BA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
A Family Support Specialist has many roles and responsibilities such as:
Working with children and families to meet their individual family needs:
– Helping find resources to pay for child care
– Health and Emotional Crisis resources.
– Offer other community resources.
A Family Support Specialist has experience with child development, best practices, working with families, ability to access local resources, be aware of child care rules and regulations, be an advocate for children and families, and have the ability to travel if needed.
Elementary School Teacher
Within a Elementary School Setting
Kindergarten through grade 5
Have a License from the MN- Department of Education.
Private Schools or Public School Districts.
Elementary School Teacher Requirements
Elementary School Teachers must be a minimum of 18 years of age and meet the following Criteria:
Teaching requirements within the state of MN (DHS, 2017)
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=9503.0032
Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education
Pass a background Check
Pass the exams to certify you as a K-5 teacher
Acquiring Teaching license (DHS, 2017)
Elementary School Teachers must have experience with:
Curriculum planning, Child Development, Best Practices, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Lesson planning, structuring a large classroom, time management, experience supervising a classroom or assisting a classroom teacher, familiar with family conferences, able to communicate with teaching staff and families, give positive-re-direction and be familiar with Early Childhood Special Needs (Sara, 2014).
Child Development Services Coordinator
Early Childhood Education Programing
Center Programing
Private Schooling
Public School System
Child Development Services Coordinator Requirements
Child Development Services Coordinator must be a minimum of 18 years of age and meet the following criteria:
Have a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education or,
A Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and a minimum of 2 years working as a teacher for young children.
Pass a background check.
Current Drivers License and availability to travel if needed ( DHS,
Child Development Services Coordinator must have experience with:
Collaborating with families to support family goals, planning and implementing social/emotional health practices, be familiar with Child Development, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, State assessment standards, Screening for Developmental Delays, ability to work in an unbiased environment, and must maintain positive and safe learning environments for children within the programming ( DHS, 2017)
References
DHS. (2017). Minnesota Administrative Rules; CHAPTER 9503, CHILD CARE CENTER
LICENSING. Retrieved from Office of the Revisor of Statutes:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=9503
Heinrich, A. (june, 21 2017). The Best Early Childhood Education Jobs for All Degree Holders .
Retrieved from Rasmussen : http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/best –
early-childhood-education-jobs-degree-holders/
Sara. (October, 23 2014). What Careers Can I have with an Early C hildhood Education Degree?
Retrieved from Early Childhood Education Zone:
https://www.earlychildhoodeducationzone.com/early -education-degree-careers/