So, you want to be a Preschool teacher  

 There are a lot of schools for Early childhood Education (Preschool teacher) here in Illinois that offer two- years to get your associate degree or certificate or four- years for bachelors. Tuition at Parkland college (including fees and books) for $12,300 for the year. At Parkland college you can get your associate degree in science or art or you can learn the simple bases and get a certificate, which will take 2 years.  However, the least expensive tuition is Morton College for students that want to go into Early Childhood, the tuition there is $3,860 (including fees) for the year. Morton college gives an associate degree of science or Art like Parkland College does but at a lower price. Then, if you still desire to get your bachelor’s that is four –years, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has options to get your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. However, the University of Illinois tuition is $27,006 (including fees and books) for the year. You would think that public university tuition could be expensive but a private university, like Saint Xavi University tuition is $43,310 (including fees and rooms) for the year. Although the tuition in a private university is high, they would accept scholarships. 

1. Q=Tell me about your job. Is what you do any different in any way from what others in your occupation do? 

A=I am a high school child development teacher as well as the director of the Mini-Mustangs Preschool program.  Most people who work in Early Childhood Education have just one position they are responsible for while I have two. 

1. Q=Can you tell me about your background and how you got into this field? 

A=When I was in high school in order to graduate students were required to complete community service hours.  I completed my service hours working on a children’s farm teaching children about farm life before obtaining a position as a preschool teacher assistant through the work-study program at my high school.  From there I became a camp counselor and then decided to go into the field of education since I enjoyed working with children so much. 

1. Q=What personal characteristics are required for someone to be successful in your job? 

A=Most importantly you need to enjoy working with children.  You also need to be able to handle working in an organized yet chaotic environment.  You need to be able to plan, prepare, and implement lesson plans as well as document information on children’s development. 

1. Q=How much job security is there for people in your field? 

A=There will always be a need for childcare which guarantees job security. 

1. Q=What other jobs could you do with the skills you have gained in this field? 

A=Apparel & Textile Design/Merchandising · Dietetics · Education · Food & Nutrition Sciences · Human Development & Family Science · Hospitality · Interior Design · Nutrition & Fitness · Communications · Consumer Economics & Financial Planning 

1. Q=What do you think the future holds for people in your occupation? 

A=I feel technology will play an important role in the training of people within the field of Early Childhood Education. 

1. Q=What are the biggest challenges in your job? 

A=There is never enough time in a day to complete all the tasks required. 

1. Q=Are there many opportunities in your field? What should people do to get started? 

A=There are plenty of opportunities in the field.  In order to get started people should research information about Early Childhood Education, become members of Early Childhood organizations such as Gateways and NAYEC, talk to a counselor about what colleges offer degrees, job shadow, volunteer, and get to know people working in the field by networking. 

1. Q=.what is better to go get an associate or bachelors? and why? 

A=The decision on whether or not to get an associate or a bachelors is dependent on a persons’ situation.  If someone is lacking finances or time they may want to start off getting an associate to obtain a job and then they can always go back and get their bachelors at a later time.  Getting a bachelors degree, in the long run, will allow you to earn a higher salary. 

1. Q=is the pay worth it? 

A=  Although Early Childhood Education does not pay as much as other careers it is a job that is enjoyable.  If a person loves working with children then I would say the pay is worth it.     

1. Q=what are some jobs that you can work in early childhood education? 

A=  Child Care Centers 

Private Preschools 

Head Start Programs 

Chapter I or other State Programs 

Childcare Administration 

Child Advocate 

Curriculum Coordinator 

Social Worker 

Therapist 

Family Childcare Provider 

Family Education 

Parks & Recreation 

Hospital Daycares 

Prekindergarten Programs 

Family & Community Service 

Facilities Management 

Family Resources