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Early Learning

ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The first few years of our lives are a formative period that can lay the foundation—emotionally, physically, and intellectually—for our growth into adulthood. Early childhood educators have the privilege of working with young children between the ages of 2 and 6 years, in center-based early care and education programs. Their role is to work with all aspects of each child (physical, social-cultural, emotional, and cognitive) as well as with the child’s family members.

 
 
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Requirements for Early Educators

To work effectively with young children, you need specialized training. A degree in Early Childhood Education will prepare you with the skills necessary to help cultivate healthy growth in children, thereby shaping their lives and communities for the better. Alternative names for early childhood educators include Preschool Teacher, Child Care Specialist, Child Care Teacher, Educare Teacher/Care Giver, or Special Education Early Childhood Teacher.

 
“Each child is unique and each of them learns in their own pace and style.”
— Teresa Garcia
 

 

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Opportunities in Early Education

For practitioners of these incredibly important tasks, it should come as no surprise that there are dozens of highly sought after, rewarding career opportunities, ranging from education to social work. To name a few examples, early childhood educators can work in any of the following settings: Head Start/Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP) programs, community-based profit or non-profit child care, the military, therapeutic or faith sponsored child care, school campuses, school district-sponsored early childhood special education and inclusion programs, parent education cooperative preschools, and private preschools. The opportunities are diverse and plentiful!

In all of these programs, early childhood educators have the responsibility of nurturing and teaching young children. You typically work as a part of a teaching team, functioning as a leader with assistants or aides.

With a degree in Early Childhood Education—much like with the potential of these young minds—the sky is truly the limit.

 

Explore the early childhood education pathway

https://ececareers.del.wa.gov