Early childhood teachers and child care workers educate and help preschool children, age 5 or younger, in child care centers, nursery schools, preschools, public schools, and family child care homes. In addition to attending to children’s basic needs, these individuals coordinate activities that stimulate the children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth.

Employment in early childhood careers is projected to increase through the year 2008.

Working in early childhood education requires an ability to nurture, motivate, teach, and influence children.

Leadership, organizational, communication and administrative skills are necessary. These individuals must also possess a high level of patience and creativity.

Some employers prefer to hire early childhood teachers and child care workers with nationally recognized child care development credentials, secondary or post-secondary courses in child development and early childhood education, or work experience in a child care setting.

Early childhood learning facilities include private homes, schools, religious institutions, workplaces where employers provide care for employees children, and private buildings. Watching children grow, learn and gain new skills can be rewarding. The work is never routine.