Today when the subject of early childhood education is discussed our thoughts go to grade school youngsters or children in kindergarten. However, the focus of early childhood education indeed considers all children from birth to the age of 5 years old. This is part of our government’s findings about the impact of good early childhood education.

The Human Services and the Dept. Of Education are working in line to ensure the child care education programs across the US have a strong strategy for the education and care of our preschoolers. An announcement from the National Academy of Sciences publications says that early childhood education and care taking for our preschoolers needs to work together when meeting early requirements of children across the US. The program for preschoolers are being designed with both these components in mind for childcare education.

A change will be happening as the first graders will be groomed in cognitive and social readiness when they enter the first grade of school. This move is prompted by calls to the White House to act upon some research studies done that indicate the positive impact of Head start programs and other childcare education studies. Program evaluations found early child care and education made an impression upon the cognitive skills, health and behavior status of children through graduation.

The Head start programs and plans which sent nurses into homes of mothers and their infants, as well State Pre-K programs, delivered early childhood education information to parents about their physical and emotional health. Statistical evidence provided information that children safety issues improved. Reports of parents served in these programs for early childhood education were positive for the entire family unit.

The same children who started out in early childhood education programs decades ago were tracked and the results show reductions in criminal behavior resulted. There are also indications that the dropout rate was decreased because issues that began for children were addressed before they ever entered the first grade. Researchers in kindergarten and preschool education discovered that those who drop out of school must be attended to before their third grade class in school.

The reports of positive results in lowering dropout rates and criminal behavior came from improved behavior and better IQ’s achieved in kindergarten education programs. These reports, after the program evaluations, were the reason people called the White House for continued funding to support early childhood education for all children from birth to kindergarten.

In conclusion, the program evaluations of early childhood education determined the long term results were an investment. Every dollar spent on these programs produced a return worth seven times the investment. Costs to care for the jailed dropouts arrested for criminal behavior and the indigent adults without education; they bear upon society’s purse strings to further fund welfare and prison systems. Both the people and the government are in favor of preventative efforts established by the kindergarten programs.

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Are you considering a career in early childhood education? Very few things compare to the satisfaction of nurturing a young child through these impressionable years, which makes it such a rewarding career path. Here are a few educational avenues you can take. But check your home state for specifics, as each state has its own requirements for future teachers.

Certificate Programs

If you are simply looking for an entry-level assistant position at a preschool or daycare, you can sign up for a certificate program. These programs do not take long to finish and they introduce students to the basics of child development.

Associate’s Degree Programs

Associate’s degrees are two year programs that go into more detail than certificate programs. Besides the courses in childhood education that are required, there will be general liberal arts and science courses involved as well. When you graduate with an Associate’s degree, you can apply for teaching positions at preschools and daycare centers. There are some Associate’s programs that offer an emphasis on daycare.

Additional College Degrees

Many colleges and universities offer programs in early childhood education. There are undergraduate degrees, or four year programs, and if you want (or need) to take your education further, there are graduate degree programs in the subject. Graduate degree programs are usually for two years, depending on the workload you are able to take on.

You will most likely need a Bachelor’s degree if you want to become a lead teacher in early childhood education. If you get a Bachelors degree, you will learn about instructional methods, classroom management skills, and literacy education. Some programs will have specialized courses focused on preschool.

If you have higher aspirations within the early childhood education arena, you will need to consider a Master’s degree. This higher level of education prepares you to be a daycare administrator, supervisor, or special education specialist. You can also teach other aspiring teachers at a higher education institution with a Master’s degree.

Doctoral Degree

While this is a rare educational pursuit, some ambitious educational students will want to pursue a Doctoral degree. This high level of education prepares you not just to be a teacher at an institution of higher learning, but you can become involved in educational research or develop curriculum.

If you’re not sure where to start looking for a school to start your early childhood education, there is an easy place to start. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education sets the national standards for programs in early childhood education. You can visit their website to search for accredited early childhood education programs in your area.