Is an Early Childhood Education Degree Program Right for You?

Posted On December 18,2024

Choosing a new career path can be intimidating. You want to choose a career where it will be easy to find – and keep – a job, so an in-demand career with job security is key. You want a career with plenty of room for growth and advancement, so a career with various options is essential. You may want a career where you won’t need to commit to a four-year degree, and you’ll be able to balance your current commitments while getting your education and training, so a flexible program is necessary. And most importantly, you want to choose a career where you will like your job, feel fulfilled, and know you are making a difference. Getting a two-year degree in early childhood education meets all these requirements and can set you on a great path to success. If you are considering a career change, consider whether an early childhood education degree is right for you.

What Career Opportunities are Out There for Early Childhood Educators?

Because there is always a need for education, there will always be a need for early childhood educators. If you want to choose an in-demand career where you will always have job opportunities, early childhood education is a great option. While it’s easy to equate early childhood education with “preschool teacher” or “daycare teacher,” there are many options for a career in early childhood education and plenty of growth opportunities. Once you have your degree in early childhood education, you can work as a child life specialist, family resource worker, curriculum developer, paraprofessional, and even as an early childhood director, daycare, or preschool owner. 

What is Involved in an Early Childhood Degree Program?

It’s a common misconception that all degrees in education need to come from traditional four-year universities and that working in early childhood requires a bachelor’s degree. If you are ready to begin your career in early childhood education more quickly, you can get an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from an accredited career academy. These programs take two years to complete with 92 credit hours and include all the classes necessary to be a successful early childhood educator, including over twenty courses in child development, educational foundations, behavioral management, preschool programming, and a practicum where you will have the chance to apply what you’ve learned. Classes often run on the quarter schedule, with new courses available every three months, which allows for a good deal of flexibility during your degree. With classes in the day and evening, students can balance their current jobs and family responsibilities while getting their degrees. To begin the program, all you need is a high school diploma or GED; financing options are usually available to make the program affordable and accessible to all students interested in getting a degree in early childhood education.

Early Childhood Education is a Rewarding Career

One of the biggest reasons to go into early childhood education is that it is a career that will allow you to make a real and tangible difference in a child’s life. A child’s first experience in an early education environment is what will shape their educational future and feelings about school. Young children are often enthusiastic about learning, exploring, and developing independence, and early childhood educators get to be there to help that learning happen. Since early childhood education is hands-on and creative, you will actively see your work mean something. While it’s no secret that young children can occasionally be challenging, your job as an early childhood educator will never be boring. You will work alongside your students, and play will be part of your job. 

What Makes a Great Early Childhood Educator?

You know the career is rewarding, you see the field is in demand, and you know that the program is doable. But will you be a good fit as an early childhood educator? The best and most successful early childhood educators share several of the same personality traits that lend themselves well to working with children. Some of the most essential characteristics for an early childhood educator to have are:

• Patience – anyone who has worked with young children knows this is the number one trait a good teacher needs to manage a classroom.
• Organization – a class of young children can quickly become chaotic, but a strong sense of organization keeps all potential chaos at bay. Young children feel stable and grounded when they understand routine.
• Creativity – although routine is important, making your classroom fresh and fun will not only captivate your students but allow your students’ imagination to flourish.
• Adaptability – while you build on routine, you will also need to be flexible enough to adapt to constantly growing and changing children. The best early childhood educators can adjust on the fly.
• Observation Skills – young children can’t always tell you what they need, but they will show you with their behavior. Great early childhood educators know how to read their students and customize their teaching.
• Communication Skills – as an early childhood educator, you will not only have to communicate with your students but also with their families. Great teachers know how to communicate effectively.
• Love of Learning – when a teacher loves what they do, the students will pick up on that enthusiasm.

Whether you think you have all these skills already and are ready to dive into a classroom, or you believe this is what you want to be but need some guidance, an early childhood education program can take you down the path toward a rewarding and successful career. With a strong training program, you can make a real difference in the lives of the very youngest students and set them on a path toward a successful life. Contact Athena Career Academy today to learn more.