What Are the Requirements to be a Preschool Teacher?

Posted On September 16,2022

Becoming a preschool teacher requires more than an education. It also requires a passion for working with children. Preschool teachers, also known as early childhood education (ECE) educators, prepare children to enter kindergarten by providing support, guidance, and age-appropriate learning activities. This career usually requires you to obtain some formal training or education, like earning an early childhood education degree. If you’ve always felt like you would be a great preschool teacher, now is a great time to jump into the education field.

What Does a Preschool Teacher Do? 

Preschool teachers educate children between the ages of three to five. They develop theme-related class activities and incorporate art, music, and physical exercise as part of their curriculum. A preschool teacher’s primary focus is to ensure their students are ready to enter kindergarten by developing the necessary skills and knowledge needed for elementary school. Preschool teachers also track student progress and conduct conferences with parents to discuss any concerns or issues that may come up.

Duties and responsibilities preschool teachers perform on a regular basis include: 

• Developing and maintaining a positive relationship with children and parents. 
• Planning activities that are educational and fun for all students. 
• Collaborating with fellow teachers to ensure the school fosters a nurturing environment for children. 
• Delivering reports on potential issues regarding students to administrators.  
• Managing daily classroom activities including structured lessons, lunchtime, bathroom breaks, free play, and rest time.

What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Preschool Teacher?  

It would be impossible to list all the reasons why teaching is a rewarding profession. Here are just a few of the many benefits of becoming a preschool teacher. 

Job Security 

The job outlook for preschool teachers remains strong and stable because ECE educators are vital to the development of early learners. As time goes on, more and more parents are choosing to enroll their kids in preschool because the advantages are clear. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that a career in early childhood education can expect continued demand and growth. Investing in an early childhood education degree is a smart decision for your future. 

Family Friendly Schedule 

Another great benefit of becoming a preschool teacher is receiving extra vacation days. Teachers get more time off than other professionals including many holidays and extended breaks, like summers off. In addition, many teachers work shorter hours than other professionals, giving them a healthy work life balance. 

Exciting Work Environment 

If sitting in a cubicle from 9 to 5 doesn’t excite you, then becoming a preschool teacher surely will. Preschool teachers move freely about the classroom. Stretching, dancing, singing, and playing are perks of the job, as is being creative and having fun. 

How to Become a Preschool Teacher? 

The first step to becoming a teacher is to pursue an early childhood education degree. When searching for schools, find an accredited program. Attending an accredited program is reassurance to potential employers and your community that the education you receive is of the highest quality. It also demonstrates your commitment to the education profession. An accredited program also means that it must adhere to certain quality standards to maintain its accreditation, so you can feel confident in knowing you are investing in a quality education program from a great school. 

Start Your ECE Process Now

Want to Learn More? 

Attending a quality school to earn your degree makes you a more marketable candidate to potential employers. Students graduating from Athena Career Academy’s early childhood education degree program are highly qualified to work in this fun and rewarding field. Students attending Athena’s program are taught the necessary skills and knowledge needed to thrive as competent, confident, and successful preschool teachers. Contact Athena Career Academy to learn more about how to enroll and to schedule a campus tour!