Early Childhood Education

 

Career and Major Information
Earnings
Related Occupations
Related Web Sites

 

Career and Major Information:

Walters State's two-year concentration in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare successful graduates for entry-level employment in child development early learning centers in management, supervisory, or teaching positions.  The primary responsibility is to attend to the basic needs of the children in their care by nurturing, entertaining and protecting them.  Other duties may include scheduling, organizing and participating in recreational activities such as exercise, games, reading, painting or drawing, and other pre-school age appropriate activities.  Childcare workers teach children to be considerate, responsible, and healthy members of society through play, discipline, and structured learning activities.  They also maintain a healthy environment by cleaning and sanitizing toys and play equipment, and encouraging healthy behaviors such as nutritious eating habits, getting plenty of rest, and good personal hygiene, including toilet training.  Nursery workers may be responsible for changing diapers of infants and toddlers as well. 

Jobs may be found in child-care centers, day care facilities, group homes, preschools, private businesses, workplaces, and other organizations.  The work environment can vary widely. 

Minimum education requirements can also vary widely by state.  These can range from a high school diploma to a college degree at the associate or bachelor level.  Growth for the next 10 years is expected to be about average, though high turnover in these jobs creates good employment opportunities.

 

Earnings:

The Tennessee Career Information Delivery System website lists the salary range for a beginning-level position in this field in Tennessee as $12,260 to $13,765 annually.  With experience, the range increases to $16,550 to $19,140.  The national average is higher by about $1,000 to $3,000 per year.  Salary figures quoted are based on national figures. Local or regional salaries may be lower.

 

Related Occupations:

Teaching Assistant

Elementary School Teacher

Middle School Teacher

Secondary Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

 

Related Web Sites:

National Childcare Information Center

            http://www.nccic.org

The Children’s Foundation

            http://www.childrensfoundation.net

National Childcare Association

            http://www.nccanet.org

International Nanny Association

            http://www.nanny.org

 

Much of the above information was collected from the 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor.  For additional information on these and many other careers, please visit the following web sites:

 

Occupational Outlook Handbook - U.S. Department of Labor

www.bls.gov/oco/

 

Tennessee Career Information Delivery System (TCIDS)

http://tcids.tbr.edu/.

 

 

For information regarding specific degree program requirements, curriculum, or faculty, please see the department website at http://www.ws.edu/teched/default.asp.