The Early Childhood professional provides care and education for young children (infants through pre-kindergarten) and plays a significant role in supporting families and communities.
The profession includes the care and teaching of: infants, toddlers, play-years and school-age children, in centers and in family child care homes. Early childhood education teachers and administrators work in publicly and privately-funded programs. They are responsible for:
Early Childhood Program Directors are responsible for leadership, staff development, partnerships with families, and program management including both business and advocacy skills.
In addition, effective teaching of young children in the 21st century requires a commitment to continuing professional development, understanding of human diversity and equity issues, advocacy for children and families and commitment to the on-going professionalization of the field.
There are many opportunities for employment in the field of Early Childhood Education.
People with ECE training can:
![]() |
Work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children in positions including teacher assistant, teacher, master teacher, site supervisor and program director. |
![]() |
Open a small child care business, a licensed family child care home or a private child care center. |
![]() |
Become an "in-home" child care provider who is hired by a family to do child care for children in the child's home setting. |
![]() |
Become a foster parent. |
![]() |
Work as a teacher's aide in an elementary school program. |
![]() |
Transfer to a four-year college or university in fields related to children, schools and families, such as: child development, human development, elementary education, social work, parent education, special education and early intervention specialist. |