Early childhood education (ECE) now incorporates an education system that is more unified on a global basis than ever before in history. This unification includes education models such as Head Start and Early Head Start to utilize the most important time for child development. In fact, most early childhood education school settings are now centralized based on the educational qualifications of teachers, administrators and learning assistants within the field. To move into the educational field, candidates are required to pass tests that are required from both state and federal government, including specific certifications, degrees and licensing. Although ECE learning is based on the learning capacity of children and on previous scientific measurements, teachers come from a variety of educational backgrounds. Many early childhood education program settings have utilized teachers with backgrounds in philosophy, mathematics and music. Other early childhood centers have incorporated teachers with art, social science, literary and psychological backgrounds. Required training in any early childhood education school is based on a number of employment prerequisites, including obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, acquiring a licensing or certification from the State Board of Education, and passing educational requirements from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council or the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Brief History of Early Childhood Education
Many of the previous foundations for early childhood learning programs were based off of the general guidelines of missionary programs. However, burgeoning education models such as Pestalozzi and Froebel and the Montessori model have also helped to shape modern emphasis on group and individualized learning for children. Developments in unified early education programs for children were often unhurried and unmeasured before World War II, but since then, efforts for global unification for early education for children have improved. This unification was especially linked to new opportunities for female employment. So far, physical care and education have been the primary emphasis of early childhood education in recent settings in many countries. Of course, there have been varying degrees of educational opportunities that have been directly linked to studies in cognitive development and child-caregiver interaction. Some countries have had very limited access to any type of early childhood education program, because of a lack of both funding and volunteers. Still, early programs did not emphasize standards in education. In fact, several differences existed between countries, including the categories of age groups served, the supply and demand for education delivery strategies, and governmental funding strategies. Many countries have worked hard to provide community funding for both public and private delivery of many types of early childhood education school settings. Recent history has provided a platform for ECE degree programs to help students take advantage of the scientific studies that facilitate better learning environments for children.
Early Childhood Careers
Occupational careers that are offered for those with an early childhood education degree include opportunities for education administration, instructional coordinators and librarians. Other careers that evolve from an ECE background also include teacher’s assistants, library technicians and assistants. Yet, the primary position that is held by those with a background from a early childhood education program involves professional teaching positions. These careers can run the gamut of ECE positions, such as preschool, kindergarten and elementary teachers. Middle school teachers and post-secondary teachers also find positions in many early childhood education settings. Most special education teachers must have more extensive training, but these types of careers also require an educational background in early childhood learning. Teachers have also been required to have early childhood licenses and certifications for careers in vocational instruction, self-enrichment education, adult literacy and remedial education. Further still, school bus drivers and school counselors are also required to have a working background in an ECE program.
The Future of Early Childhood Education
The future of early childhood education school programs is bright. As more children are born in the United States and other developing countries, educational programs for children will always be needed to prepare them for careers that will help sustain our global society. There will always be a need for an early childhood education program in fields such as bilingual education, literacy, mathematics and science. According to the statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, employment demand for careers in secondary, middle and elementary schools are expected to show a significant increase by as much as 13 percent by 2018. These positions will be available because of the increase in the population, but the demand will also increase due the retirement of teachers within urban areas of the United States. Therefore, there will be more than 244,000 additional jobs available by 2018 for those that have acquired an ECE degree. Additionally, teaching assistant positions are expected to have an increased demand by as much as 10 percent, while administrative positions in early childhood education school setting will have a demand growth by as much as 8 percent. Educational providers of ECE degree programs will need to prepare for these significant increases by training new educators now.