What Kinds of Jobs Can You Get with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education?

The Ashworth College online Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education is designed for aspiring educators who want to develop a career focused on teaching children aged 4 and younger. Though you may have stayed at home with a sitter or guardian, or attended a loosely-programmed preschool or play group at that age, expectations for life pre-K now include structured education by teachers who have earned degrees specifically for this field.

Become a preschool teacher

If you have the heart and patience for young children, consider earning your online Associate Degree and to prepare for a job as a preschool teacher! The main goal of preschool is for toddlers to gain language, motor, and social skills while having fun.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for preschool teachers is projected to increase 15% by 2031.* That’s a faster-than-average growth projection for all occupations during the same time period. Since the typical requirement for launching a career as a preschool teacher is the completion of an Associate Degree, there’s still time to get started, graduate, and look for a position in this growing field.

Positions for preschool teachers are available through Head Start programs, private early childhood education centers, churches and faith-based schools, as well as through tutoring, nannying, and at-home childcare services.

The need for preschool teachers is projected to increase 15% between 2021 and 2031—a faster than average growth for all jobs!

Are you bilingual or do you want to be? Teach ELLs or become an au pair

As more school systems throughout the U.S. enroll first-generation citizens from non-English-speaking homes, there’s a growing need for trained teachers who can help the youngest of students learn English. Becoming a preschool teacher who works with English Language Learners (ELLs) is a unique way to apply your passion to a demographic of children who can greatly benefit from your language skills.

If private childcare and teaching is more your style—and you have a sense of adventure—use your early childhood education degree to become an au pair for a family outside the U.S., or nanny for a foreign family that’s recently moved to the U.S. In both situations, your training will bolster the children’s English-speaking skills while you can gain a wealth of knowledge about another culture.

Learn more: What Jobs Can You Get With a Child Development Associate Certificate?

Ready to learn how to play with purpose? Check out the curriculum of our Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or go online and enroll today!

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Preschool Teachers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm (visited October 31, 2018).