Steps To Becoming A Preschool Teacher?

Question

I am 15 (almost 16) and I love children. I know the pay isn't very good, but I don' t care, I want to be a preschool teacher. I always have. However, I have no idea what steps I need to take to becoming a preschool teacher so if you have any information about it or even a website that might help me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help.

:)

Answer 1

I would also add to the answerer above that some tech high schools have a preschool teacher program. I know the one in my area does.

And another thing is that in order to be ECS certified in some states, you have to have a certain number of experience hours. You should be able to be a teacher with just 3 credits in child development, but I would suggest, like the previous answerer, to actually enroll in an early childhood ed program at a college. You only need to have an associates or graduate from a certificate program.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Good for you! You could probably find work now as an extra set of hands at a preschool or daycare after school if you're looking for something now. When you graduate if you are planning on going to college I would suggest majoring in early childhood education, this will certify you to teach from birth-3rd grade. If you want to get started before you have your degree check into daycare programs that run up to pre-k or 5 year olds, they tend to run more like preschools with a curriculum (or at least this is what I have found).

According to DCFS you can be left alone in a classroom once you have a certain number of early childhood credits and hours of experience. In Illinois I believe that you need a minimum of 9 hours (the equivalent of 3 classes) for this but I would double check :0) You can look up some information on the DCFS website:

http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/index.shtml (illinois)

-or-

google DCFS and find the city nearest you

Another good idea would be to go to a preschool and sit down with their director and see what he/she can tell you. They will have all the info you need and you may even be able to get some experience working there.

Hope this is somewhat helpful :0)

Answer 3

It all depends on your state.  It also depends on what specifically you want to do.  Work in a daycare?  Private or church preschool?  Head start in Elementary school?  In Illinois, to be a teacher assistant in a daycare you need to have a High School Diploma or GED and continue taking 15 hours of classes or workshops a year.  To be a daycare "Head" or "Lead" teacher you need 30 hours of college credit, no matter what in-although child friendly classes is encouraged.  They also need to continue the 15 hours a year.  For the private or church preschool, I don't believe any classes are required, however probably the 15 hours a year.  To work in an elementary school as a teacher for preschool you need a four year degree in teaching with the certificate for Birth to Kindergarten.

Teaching in an elementary school would make the best money.  Although I would really recommend finding an area daycare, preschool, or school that you can volunteer at.  A lot of high schools have a program where the students can go and help in the elementary grades.  This would really let you know if this is what you want to do.  Other wise there are still a lot of other professions out there that work with children, but not as intense.  I'm sure that you're great with children, but it's not for everyone.    Good Luck!!