Early Childhood Education Programs In US

A deeper look reveals the reasons why these master’s, doctorate, bachelor’s, and specialty degrees are the best in early childhood education. In order to offer young children with proper educational contexts and foundations, educators often enroll in early childhood education degree programs.

Positive learning experiences help young pupils thrive, and educators who specialize in early childhood studies are aware of the many social and developmental factors that affect the early stages of a child’s development. They are therefore able to evaluate, examine, and improve infant policies and services. Preschool teacher, social services coordinator, university lecturer, and daycare director are just a few of the professions that fall under the umbrella of early childhood education programs.

The labor market is expected to grow at an above-average pace of 11% between 2016 and 2026 for directors of preschools and childcare centers. With the richest 10% earning nearly $83,730, the 2018 median wage was $47,940 on average. Preschool teachers are expected to have a 10% increase in the labor market by 2026. With the top 10% earning nearly $55,350 via median pay in 2018, the mean wage was $29,780.

What Are Early Childhood Education Degree Programs?

Early Childhood Education Degree Programs are intended to educate students for employment working with young children, generally aged birth to eight. These programs lay the groundwork for early childhood educators to learn about child development, instructional methodologies, and classroom management techniques. They also address a variety of topics that will assist prospective educators understand how to establish welcoming, inclusive, and engaging learning environments for young children.

The Best Early Childhood Education Degree Programs

ECE degree programs provide students with the information and skills needed to assist young children’s growth and learning, setting the framework for a successful career in this fulfilling sector. Typically for people interested in advanced positions such as early childhood program directors, curriculum experts, or those working in research and policy. A bachelor’s degree is generally followed by an extra two years of study.

1. Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy Concentration

This PhD program will require you to evaluate case studies, cutting-edge technology, and the most recent early childhood research studies in order to obtain a better knowledge of how society influences children’s learning capabilities. Completing your PhD and dissertation will qualify you to add to your field’s academic research corpus.

A variety of professional roles are available, including director of childcare centers, school psychologist, director of educational programming for a private preschool center, preschool admissions counselor, specialist in training and development, university professor, educator, and researcher. Doctorate in education holders receive an average salary ranging from $46,000 to $106,000.

2. Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Early Childhood Education as a concentration.

This particular program prepares doctoral candidates for leadership positions in preK–12 environments, postsecondary establishments, private organizations, public institutions, and the public sector. By imparting knowledge of critical writing and research, this specialized doctoral program equips students with the ability to implement scholastic and innovative methodologies that effect substantial transformations in the field of early childhood education on an organizational level.

Salaries for EdD graduates at higher education institutions, including community colleges, universities, and colleges, vary from $64,519 (assistant professors) to $134,549 (assistant superintendent of K-12 education). The courses include physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development in early infancy, allowing students to better grasp the stages of growth and development in young children.

3. Early Childhood Education (EdS).

Educators with a master’s degree who want to further their expertise in a specific subject without committing to the additional time and money necessary for a PhD program can enroll in education specialist programs. The EdS in Early children Education degree program will prepare you for professional progression and pay increases by improving your knowledge and skills in curriculum, mentorship, and children development. Educational professionals may expect to make $49,800 per year.

4. Master of Science in Early Childhood Studies.

Obtaining a master’s degree in early childhood studies broadens one’s understanding of the complexities of good early childhood programs, services, and child development. The capstone course for your master’s degree will help you apply newly gained information to real-world events, problems, or challenges.

Earning a master’s degree will help you qualify for challenging professional positions such as preschool instructor, child development expert, child and family activist, daycare director, and public policy coordinator. The median compensation for childcare center directors was $47,940, with the top 10% earning more than $83,730.

5. Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies.

This degree does not need a license and will equip you to work in an early childhood center or daycare. You may help to create a courteous, helpful, and healthy learning environment for young pupils in that role. A bachelor’s degree in early childhood studies yields around $45,790 per year.

Competency-based learning is frequently used to provide these degree programs, which is an ideal strategy for those who already have prior experience in the sector and want to use those talents to get a degree.

Conclusion

Early childhood education (ECE), sometimes known as nursery education, is a branch of educational philosophy that includes both organized and unstructured instruction for children aged birth to eight years. This is often similar to the third grade. According to experts, early childhood education is a key phase in children’s development. The Enlightenment witnessed the rise of ECE as a topic of study, particularly in European countries with large reading populations. During the nineteenth century, when universal primary education became the norm in the Western world, its spread continued.

As local, state, and federal politicians debate funding for preschool and pre-kindergarten in recent years, early childhood education has emerged as a major public policy priority. In the field of early childhood education, regulatory organizations are debating whether to prioritize developmentalally appropriate play or a rigorous academic preparatory curriculum emphasizing reading, writing, and arithmetic.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 goals underline the importance of early childhood education across the world. Globally, however, “approximately four out of every ten children aged three to four attend early childhood education” by 2024. Furthermore, regional participation rates varies significantly: “approximately two-thirds of children in Latin America and the Caribbean attend early childhood care and education (ECE), whereas in South Asia, less than half of children attend and in Sub-Saharan Africa, only one-fourth do.”

SOURCE: Walden University Blog