Becoming an early education teacher can be a rewarding and fun career path for someone who loves kids or someone who wants to dip their toes into a career with young children before investing in a college degree. Spending your day in a busy classroom of infant to kindergarten children may not be the right match for everyone, but, trust us, this is a career that is filled with joy, hugs, and purpose!
Most childcare centers or even smaller in-home providers will offer discounted tuition for children of employees. If you have more than one child, the cost of childcare adds up and that discount is a huge perk. You also don’t have to worry about your work hours not matching your childcare hours, since your kids will be right there with you and it cuts down on your morning commute! Not to mention you get the added benefit of getting to know your child’s teacher really well and you’re able to see your kids throughout the day (if you want).
If any of these benefits intrigue you or if you’re looking for a way to kick off your career in education, we’re breaking down what it takes to be a daycare teacher.
Although the exact job description depends on whether you are a lead teacher or an assistant and can vary program to program, most daycare teachers:
Most programs will want their teachers to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, like a GED, but any additional training or education beyond that will definitely make you more marketable to hiring managers. Depending on where you live, having college credits in early childhood or a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Child Care Professional (CCP) credential could mean the difference between being a lead teacher (and making more money) or an assistant or aide.
Many times, there are opportunities to advance within an early education setting, so if you start out as an assistant but decide you love your job and want to further your education, you can always do so at a pace that works for your life and finances. Some employers, like Bright Horizons, will pay for your early childhood degree – really! Your books, fees, tuition…they’re all covered!
Embarking on a career as a Montessori daycare teacher is a unique journey that combines a passion for early childhood education with a specific philosophical approach to learning. To become a Montessori teacher, one must first gain a deep understanding of the Montessori method, which emphasizes hands-on, child-led learning within a prepared environment that fosters independence and holistic development. This requires specialized training beyond traditional early childhood education credentials.
Aspiring Montessori daycare teachers should seek certification from a reputable Montessori training center, accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). Training typically involves both academic coursework and hands-on practicum, covering areas such as Montessori philosophy, child development, and the design and presentation of learning materials. Additionally, a strong commitment to the principles of respect, independence, and a love for nurturing the natural curiosity and development of children is essential. Upon completing the training, Montessori teachers are equipped to create and guide a learning environment that respects each child's individual learning pace and style, setting the foundation for a fulfilling career in Montessori education.
Depending on the position you're looking for, you may not need additional training or credentials to work with children with special needs, but it is certainly beneficial.
If you are looking for a job as a lead teacher or group teacher, you'll most likely need certification in early childhood special education. In order to be certified, you'll need to obtain a Bachelor's degree in early childhood special education and complete student teaching and any other degree requirements.
If you already have a child in daycare, you can start by asking the director if they are hiring. Even if they don’t have any full-time positions available, they may be looking for part-time or “floater” teachers who fill in when teachers are out or during lunch breaks, etc. If they aren’t hiring currently, at least they’ll know you are interested and when they do need to fill a position they’ll hopefully keep you in mind.
If you don’t have a preschool-aged child or your child’s provider isn’t hiring there are lots of ways to find daycare jobs. You can search on online job boards for vacancies or find a list of programs in your area and cold-call or email to see if they are hiring. Some early education providers, like Bright Horizons list their child care job vacancies on Winnie, so be sure to do a search there too.
Daycare teacher salaries vary widely depending on the area. The national average rate of pay is $12.44 an hour, but if you live in a large city the pay may be much more. Your salary will also depend on your education level and amount of past work experience.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has brought childcare to the forefront, more attention is being paid to the fact that childcare providers deserve to be paid much more than they are currently being paid.
For example, Bright Horizons recently rolled-out new wages for Teachers across the country to invest in the incredible educators who do life-changing work every day. Hopefully, in the near future, we will see a shift toward higher salaries for daycare teachers and childcare providers across the country.