Careers in Early Childhood

Careers in early childhood usually involve working directly with children, but can also involve working with adults, families, or students who are associated with the profession.

Some job titles that reflect working with children are:

  • Child Care Center Aide or Assistant 
  • Child Care Center Associate 
  • Child Care Center Teacher 
  • In-Home Care Provider/Nanny/Au Pair 
  • School-Age Child Care Worker 
  • Recreation or Playground Aide 
  • Family Child Care Provider
  • Kindergarten Teacher*
  • Elementary Teacher*
  • Paraprofessional/Public School
  • Hospital Child Life Specialist*

 

Some job titles that reflect working with adults associated with the early childhood field are:

  • Child Care Center Director / Administrator 
  • Parent Educator 
  • Resource and Referral Counselor* 
  • Vocational, Community College or University Instructor* 
  • Early Childhood Program Director*
  • Licensing Specialist*
  • Child Development Specialist*
  • Child Welfare Case Worker*
  • Social Worker*

* Usually requires a minimum of a Bachelor Degree from an accredited college or university.

quality child care Working with adults in the early childhood profession usually requires additional professional education as well as experience with children. 

Successful early childhood professionals usually possess the following characteristics:

  • Truly enjoy being with children and helping to meet their needs
  • Respect children as well as their parents
  • Warm and caring
  • Flexible
  • Sense of humor
  • Creative
  • Calm and patient
  • Energetic
  • Willing to improve skills through constant learning
  • Stable
  • Ability to get rewards from what they do rather than how much they are paid