Overview
If you work with young children, you are considered an early childhood educator. Early childhood educators work in a variety of settings, including public and private centers, schools, and homes. Whatever role you choose, as an early childhood educator you will be supporting child development and learning.
Occupations in this Field
- Classroom or Child Care Aide: Provide practical assistance in an early childhood classroom or a family child care home.
- Teaching Assistant: Serve as an instructional staff person who assists in an early childhood classroom or family child care home under the guidance of a teacher.
- Paraprofessional: Assist in an early childhood classroom as instructional staff under the guidance of a teacher.
- Teacher: Responsible for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate and instructional activities.
- Early Childhood Special Educator: Responsible for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate and instructional activities for children age three to five years with developmental delays or disabilities.
Typical Settings
- Child Care Centers
- Group Child Care Homes
- Family Child Care Homes
- Head Start/Early Head Start
- Private and Public Preschools