Early Childhood Career Paths - Early Childhood Teacher

Becoming an Early Childhood Educator or Administrator

The field of early childhood education (ECE) requires hands-on work with children and families, therefore students pursuing an early childhood education career should ideally enjoy interacting with children and have a strong desire to help them learn and succeed.

California Child Development Permits

The Child Development Permit has traditionally been used to qualify early educators in subsidized public and private preschools, but many non-subsidized programs now either accept or require the permit. To earn a CTC Child Development Permit in California, you must complete the following steps:

Complete the Required Education and/or Experience
Apply for a CTC Child Development Permit
Maintain Your CTC Child Development Permit

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing issues child development permits for preschool teachers at six levels:

-Child Development Assistant Permit

-Child Development Associate Teacher Permit

-Child Development Teacher Permit

-Child Development Master Teacher Permit

-Child Development Site Supervisor Permit

-Child Development Program Director Permit

Find more detailed information about acquiring a California Child Development Permit at: Child Development Permits (ca.gov)

Early Childhood Teacher

As a teacher, you will spend a large amount of time with the children, and it’s a time where you can guarantee those children are getting everything they need to develop and grow in this world. There are different programs in which you can become a teacher and each may have different requirements, here are some examples:

California State Preschool

California State Preschool Program (CSPP) is a state-funded program which offers full-day or part-day developmentally appropriate preschool instruction for eligible three- and four-year-old children. In order to be a teacher in any school participating in CSPP you must meet the following requirements:

A Child Development Teacher Permit. (Candidates for the permit must submit an application, certifications and transcripts of college coursework in early child development to the state for review.)
A minimum of 24 units in early childhood education or child development to qualify for a license.
16 semester units in general education courses and at least 525 hours working in a childcare center within the last four years.
Preschool teachers can meet the requirements for state licensure as well with an associate degree in early childhood education or child development with a minimum of three semester units in early childhood education or experience in the field under the supervision of a licensed provider.
Permits are renewable upon the completion of at least 105 hours of professional growth.
Child and Infant CPR Certification and California Pediatric First Aid Certification
Annual training in child abuse. The training program must include methods for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect that comply with applicable State and local la

Head- Start Teacher

Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families. These are the requirements to obtain a position as a teacher in a Head Start center:

A baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education; or
A baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.
Complete at least 15 hours professional development per year
All staff trained annually in child abuse. The training program must include methods for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect that comply with applicable State and local laws.
Child and Infant CPR Certification and California Pediatric First Aid Certification

Private Preschool

Requirements for becoming a private school teacher vary by school. Often it's not necessary to earn a teaching license or certification, but knowledge of and passion for your subject area are essential. Some schools require a master's degree in the subject area, but no additional education requirements; others require previous teaching experience.

Arisbhet Resendiz: ECE Lead Teacher

Additional Resources for teachers;

American Heart Association CPR & First Aid

Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training (mandatedreporterca.com)

Child Development Permit Stipends | Child Development Training Consortium

Quick Facts: Preschool Teachers

2020 Median Pay: $31,930 per year

$15.35 per hour

Typical Entry-Level Education:

Associate's degree

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm

Ofelia Aguilar: Executive Director of Akitoi Learning Center

Preschool and Childcare Center Directors

2020 Median Pay: $49,160 per year

$23.63 per hour

Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Less than 5 years

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm

Early Childhood Center Director

Another way to make a difference is to be in charge of how things are handled in a center. The child care center director is responsible for the operation of the center and for compliance with regulations.

California State Preschool

To qualify as a director for CSPP you must have:

A permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizing supervision of a child care and development program operating in multiple sites. This can be either of the following permits:
Child Development Program Director Permit
Children's Center Supervision Permit

A current credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizing teaching service in elementary school or a single subject credential in home economics, and six units in administration/supervision of early childhood education/child development (ECE/CD) and 12 units of ECE/CD or at least two years’ experience in an ECE/CD program.

An Administrative Services Credential authorizing administration or supervision in public schools in California that includes a preschool authorization.

Head Start Programs

Early Head Start or Head Start director should :

At a minimum, have a baccalaureate degree and experience in supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration.
Use professional development to increase the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality, comprehensive services within the scope of their job responsibilities.
Be trained on methods to handle suspected or known child abuse and neglect cases, that comply with applicable federal, state, local, and tribal laws.
Consider applying for the UCLA New Directors Mentor Initiative, which pairs new Directors with a seasoned Director who, through the mentor/mentee relationship, can assist the new Director to expand knowledge and engage deeply in understanding and applying Head Start practices.

Additional information regarding this initiative can be found at: UCLA Head Start Management Fellows Program | UCLA Anderson School of Management

Marjorie Garcia: Owner of Garcia Family Childcare

Family Child Care Owner

Caring for children from other families in your home is a wonderful job with many benefits. You will have the opportunity to stay home and your work will make a big difference in improving the lives of the young children in your care.

(In order to open your own Family Child Care from home, you must first take these steps in order to get licensed):

1. You must attend an orientation

2. You must be familiar with all Family Child Care Home licensing laws and regulations.

3. You must complete and submit all the information and forms required in the application packet.

4. You must undergo a pre-licensing inspection.

Before applying for a license, you must also meet the following qualifications:

❖ Must be at least 18 years of age

❖ Must live in the home

❖ Must obtain a criminal record clearance

❖ Must have a TB test

❖ Must complete 16 hours of Pediatric Health & Safety training

obtained from an EMSA approved vendor, or accredited