do we have any preschool teachers?

[smiley]

I have a few questions regarding level of education for Early Childhood Education.

There are two different degrees offered with a local college. There is the associates degree for Early Childhood Education as well as a BA in Early Childhood Education.

Is it worth the extra two years to get the BA when only an AA is required?

When I completed my AA I took the classes based on becoming an elementary school teacher but decided against it. I am not looking to go back for Early Childhood but wanted some input.

[ijack]

What do you want to do with your degree?

[kelly072206]

I don't anymore, but I taught preschool at a Mother's Day Out program and don't have an education degree at all. My degree is in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law. I do have experience as a Nanny. I would say if the AA is all you need for the type of jobs you want then that is all you need unless you really desire to go back to school.

[smiley]

May 16, 2012 16:14:37 GMT -5 ijack said:

What do you want to do with your degree?

Probably a VPK program.... I would prefer to work in a school setting verse a daycare. My MIL is a preschool teacher at a private Jewish school and has all of the benefits if an elementary school teacher. She just works with younger kids.

[ijack]

If you want to work in more of a school setting I would go for the BA. Most of my friends who are preschool teachers at privates schools have their masters.

[smiley]

May 16, 2012 16:29:06 GMT -5 ijack said:

If you want to work in more of a school setting I would go for the BA. Most of my friends who are preschool teachers at privates schools have their masters.

Good to know, thank you.

[rex]

If you want to teach in the classroom, get a BA (especially if you want to get licensed).

The preschool I'm at actually prefers teachers who have a Master's, particularly in Special Ed.

[UMaineTeach]

If you want to be a lead teacher you need the BS.
Assistant teachers have AAs.
Aides have a CDA credential.
no school is going to consider you to run a class without a BS, and I don't know what VPK is - but you will likely need to get an ECE teacher certificate (Maine has a Birth-5 teacher certificate that requires 4 year degree and passing a PRAXIS II).

[jackie011]

It depends on the type of job you want. No one would ever pass you up because you have a BA degree. You may get passed over for only having an associates. Whatever you decide, be sure to finish your program. I work at a school/daycare (thought structured more like a school) and I know of 3 people who have started programs and not completed them and it's come back to bite them in the butt.

I have a B.S. Ed- Elementary, but it works for my pre-k job. My boss just said that your education is more than a piece of paper (speaking to a staff where very few have their degree in any sort of education/child development field) but I think, as in most fields, that is all changing. With so many people unable to find jobs and deciding to go back to school, you want to make yourself as marketable as possible.

[Tea-rific]

I teach pre k for a large public school system. I have my masters in early childhood special Ed (M.Ed). To work in our school system teaching pre k you must have at least your BA, but masters are preferred. Many of the quality private pre ks also look for people with BAs over Associates.

I would do the BA. Good luck!

[everam01]

I work at a college and we have a daycare/preschool in-house. The requirement is only the AA, but the BA is a higher starting salary.

[Deleted]

Get the BA.

The preschool I worked at required an MA for lead teachers.

[phunluvin82]

[/quote]

Probably a VPK program.... I would prefer to work in a school setting verse a daycare. My MIL is a preschool teacher at a private Jewish school and has all of the benefits if an elementary school teacher. She just works with younger kids.[/quote]

In this case, I might tend toward the BA. I think it is different for every state, but I work at a CC, and here, our AA will get you a daycare job, but you'd still need to transfer and get a BA to be state certified, which will get you a public school teaching job. Again, though, I would look at your specific state regs...if you state only requires the AA, you might be fine with that.