How To Start a Career in Teaching for Early Childhood
- Families
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- UPDATED JULY 04, 2025
by Kristine Bowman
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Ninety percent of a child’s brain development occurs before age five. This reveals why early childhood teachers are among the most influential professionals in the society. In fact, research shows that quality early childhood education can increase a child’s lifetime earnings by up to 25% while reducing their likelihood of dropping out of school by nearly half.
Working with children during these crucial formative years means you’ll literally be shaping the foundation of their future success. But the path to becoming an exceptional early childhood teacher involves more strategic planning and preparation than you might expect.
On that note, here are steps you can take to start an early childhood teaching career.
What Does an Early Childhood Educator Do
As an early childhood educator, you’ll work with children during their most inquiring and developmentally significant years. In this line of work, you’ll be designing organised learning environments that enhance intellectual, social, and emotional growth.
The profession provides diverse environments to work within, ranging from nurseries and preschools to primary schools and standalone early learning centres. All of them present their own challenges and benefits, but they all have the common aim of developing young minds at their most susceptible age.
Essential Qualifications and Training Requirements
A majority of jobs call for at least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related course. But the requirements may differ based on where you are and what kind of institution you are working for.
Initial Teacher Training programs are intended to prepare you for the classroom. These thorough programs balance book learning and hands-on experience, providing the tools necessary to be successful. Many incoming teachers report that spending money on good preparation materials, like a Praxis Core prep collection, can really make a difference in their ability to pass necessary certification tests and enter desired training programs confidently.
For those already possessing a degree in another discipline, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education presents a great route into teaching. This type of training enables career switchers to enhance their current abilities while acquiring specific skills in early childhood education.
Acquiring Practical Experience
In-class experience is gold when beginning your career as a teacher. Many training courses incorporate supervised teaching placements, but you can also acquire experience as a teaching assistant or by volunteering. These give you the chance to observe successful teachers, learn classroom dynamics, and establish your own teaching style.
Throughout your teaching placements, you will gain fundamental skills such as lesson planning and behaviour management. It takes patience, creativity, and a high degree of adaptability to work with young children. Every child learns at their own pace and in different ways, so being aware of multiple learning styles becomes imperative in developing effective lesson plans that cater to all learners.
Selecting Your Training Route
There are a variety of training routes and courses that can be followed to achieve qualified teacher status. School Direct training is provided in school-based provision where you train in a live classroom environment. This method gives instant experience while gaining your teaching qualification.
Alternatively, university-led schemes provide a more conventional academic route into teacher training. These will generally give a wider theoretical base and can involve research modules that further your knowledge of child development and educational psychology.
If you are looking for leadership positions, there are some course providers that have training programs that include leadership skills training from the start. These courses set you up not only to teach but to consider administrative or mentoring positions in the future.
Meeting Safety and Legal Requirements
Before you can work with children, you will need to undertake a few checks. A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service check) is required for anyone who works with children. The background check confirms you’re appropriate to work within a position of trust with vulnerable groups.
If you are an international applicant, you might need to get a statement of comparability for your qualifications or sit an equivalence test. The UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) can provide an assessment of your overseas qualifications and advise on what further requirements you may need to fulfil.
Also, you will have to show that you are competent in English and maths, usually through maths and English GCSEs or equivalent. Some jobs may also require GCSE science, especially if you will be teaching in primary schools.
Developing Essential Teaching Skills
Effective early childhood instructors have a combination of abilities. Strategies for classroom management come naturally as you are able to develop organized yet adaptable learning environments. You’ll become proficient in motivating young children through interactive activities and group activities that engage them in learning in an entertaining way. You’ll also which teaching materials work best, especially since technology is evolving.
Knowledge of child development is important for designing activities suitable for children’s ages and for knowing when children require extra help. You’ll also be able to communicate effectively, as you’ll have regular contact with parents, your peers, and other experts working with children.
Look for Funding and Support Opportunities
Most individuals are concerned about the cost of teacher training, but there are many funding sources. Some provisions exist that provide salaried teaching training jobs where you get paid while you train. There are also various scholarships and bursaries available, especially for high-priority subjects or teacher shortage areas.
Training course providers usually have specialist advisors who can assist you with funding choices and select the best course to suit your situation. Don’t be deterred by finance from pursuing your teaching ambition because assistance is offered for those who look for it.
Making Your Decision
An early childhood education career provides remarkable personal rewards, job stability, and the chance to leave a lasting impression on young lives. Nevertheless, it demands commitment, ongoing education, and the capacity to mould to the changing needs of children and the education system.
Take the time to explore various options for training, talk with practicing teachers, and think about your long-term career aspirations. The path to early childhood teaching is not without its challenges, but personal and professional rewards are well worth the effort. Make it an investment in your future and the future of the children you will serve.