Early Childhood Education

Must be able to pass a background check. Any individual with child abuse/neglect convictions or domestic violence convictions or 7 or more misdemeanor convictions are not allowed to work in the field of early childhood.

The ECE classroom is set up for hands-on learning and group work. It models for the student what is needed to work with children. We place the student in early childhood settings for labs early in their program so they get a feel for what it’s like to teach young children. ECE is the fun major!

Work with young children is very hands-on. You must be willing to get down on the floor with children and interact with them in positive ways. Teachers strive to create an engaging and emotionally safe environment for children.

NJC has a number of clubs and activities you might be interested in. We have a book club, debate, and phi theta kappa (honors society) among many others. The residence halls sponsor activities and the counselling office offers stress-free evenings, with fun and relaxing activities.

The ECE classroom has totes of all needed materials on each table with many other materials for projects available for student use.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 56,300 openings for preschool teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Early childhood education is important for a child’s intellectual and social development. More preschool teachers should be needed to meet the demand for early childhood education.

Early Childhood Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Large or Small Center Director, Infant/Toddler Supervisor, Assistant Teacher, Head Teacher, Nanny, Teacher’s Aide, Group Leader, Early Childhood Specialist, Early Childhood Professor

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for preschool teachers was $35,330 in May 2022. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,580.

In May 2022, the median annual wages for preschool teachers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Preschool teachers in public schools generally work during school hours. Many work the traditional 10-month school year and a 2-month break during the summer. Some preschool teachers may teach in summer programs.

Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks in a row and then have a break for 1 week before starting a new school session. They also have a 5-week midwinter break.

Those working in daycare settings may work year-round and have longer hours.