Is it worth it to get a bachelors degree if you are going to become a preschool teacher?

Question

I am currently going to a Community College. I have decided that I want to teach preschool, and maybe even younger in a day care setting, even one day open my own daycare. I will be graduating from my school with an associates degree in May 2008. I live in NJ and many preschool's don't require a bachelors degree to teach preschool, the only downside is you do not get paid that well (only about $12-$14 hourly). I need to decide whether I should continue my education onto a bachelors degree or if I should go into the workfeild and get a preschool teaching position. I have also heard that having a CDA certification helps getting a job as a preschool teacher. Any suggestions would help.. Thanks!

Answer 1

Yes. It gives you more options as you go through the years. It also gives you more respect with parents and directors. It would help if you want to move up in your career or if you wanted to change careers. I have my CDA and have renewed it twice now. I feel I have learned so much from the classes and hands on teaching I did to obtain this certification. It seems that any education is never a waste. Good luck!

Answer 2

As a daycare owner myself, I would tell you to get a BA as well, not because you will make money - daycare is not a money making business you will soon find out. I tell you because you may want to become a teacher instead of working in a daycare/preschool. Teachers make more money, get more benefits, and have a lot more time off. If you are planning to open a daycare, please be prepared for A LOT of stress from parents and staff. It is an extreme amount of work!! I have 6 employees and it is not easy. Oh and the CDA is actually less than an Associates degree - it is for people that don't have a degree but want to work in a daycare and make a little more money than someone that doesn't have any degree at all.

Answer 3

If you enjoy lesson planning and teaching the younger ones, you should DEFINITELY go on for a BA degree in education and get your Preschool-3rd grade standard teaching certification from the state of NJ.  This will enable you to teach at a public school and earn much, much more than 12.00 hour at a daycare/private school.  Public school teachers in NJ, teaching preschool, make on the first step, an average of 45,000 year, plus benefits - this is with summers off.

Don't sell yourself short.  I mentor many teachers who went from having a CDA to going back for a BA and a teaching cert.  GO FOR IT!

Answer 4

definately go on and get your bachelors degree. you will have many more options when you have it... for better jobs and better pay.

Answer 5

If you are intending to run your own preschool, then you should get a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. This will show that you are serious about your career and will lead to greater opportunities than having only an associates degree.

Good luck with whatever route you choose.

Answer 6

I would get your BA because if jobs become scarce you are stuck or you ever become burnt out you can teach a higher level and have more choices available to you. I teach preschool now and have my associates but am going to go on just so I don't close any doors or give up any opportunities later that I might regret.

Answer 7

Id go ahead and get your bachelors especially if you want to open one up one day.. I worked at a day care for a while and to be honest, most preschool teachers only graduated high school. Id recommend getting a part time job at a daycare just to make sure this is something you'd like to persue. Im sure youll do great, but its a lot more taxing than some thing. Good luck!

OH and also- look into becoming a nanny as well. I make double what I did at the daycare.

Answer 8

As more and more public schools start adding Pre-K there will be a need for teachers who are certified in this area. If you want to teach in such a program go ahead and get certified. Also, Head Start is moving towards requiring that more of its teachers be certified. Look for a program that is aimed specifically at younger children, not just elementary school age.