Young Children need educators who can provide the proper care and guidance for them. A diploma in Early Childhood is crafted with a firm foundation to assist in a child’s effective growth and development, such as through the introduction of real-life activities in nation-building, to help prepare them for primary school.
In this article, we’ll carefully list the easy step guide to get a diploma in Early Childhood –schools, cost, salary, and career prospects.
What is a Diploma in Early Childhood?
A diploma in early childhood is a program that teaches early childhood educators to work with children and teach them from infancy to grade school, sharing fundamental skills and knowledge.
The program teaches you to commit to a lifetime of learning, frequently participating in professional development, recertification procedures, and working with co-workers and parents to standardize and enhance learning opportunities for their students.
A diploma in Early Childhood focuses on the youth learning process through about the age of eight and how to most effectively appeal to the process. It is an excellent foundation for a career working with young children in many sectors, including education, health, and social care.
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Is Early Childhood a Good Career?
Early childhood education is a very hands-on and creative career. As an early childhood educator, you can expect to be fully involved in the creative happenings throughout the classroom. In fact, you might be the one creating materials for a lesson, making bulletin boards for parents, or planning decorations for the classroom.
By pursuing a career in early childhood, you would have the benefit of working alongside children in a very stimulating environment, which could be said helps to bring out the inner child. Preschool teachers can expect a 10% growth in employment nationwide. Over 84,000 jobs are available nationwide for childcare workers. Pursuing a career in early childhood is really a good career choice.
The field of early childhood education is constantly growing and expanding. It provides an array of opportunities for those starting out. You would be able to pursue several careers such as school readiness teacher, family resource worker, infant, toddler, or preschool teacher, paraprofessional, child specialist with the DCF, curriculum coordinator for young children, or an early childhood director.
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Why Should I Earn a Diploma in Early Childhood?
By earning a diploma in Early Childhood, you would have the ability to work in teaching and child care positions that would otherwise not be available to them. Most of the skills gained in this program can be transferable to other professions down the road as well. A diploma in this course would provide you with specific skills and knowledge around the subject of how children around the ages of 0-8 think. Here are some other reasons why you should pursue a diploma in early childhood-
- One of the top reasons why you should pursue is the feeling of personal reward and satisfaction it brings. You would have the opportunity to make a difference in young lives and also influence future generations.
- You would help to ensure that children get off a good start in their lives and in their learning. You would get to teach children life lessons which would enable them explore and succeed.
- Pursuing a career in early childhood would open doors for you with several job opportunities. You can work in schools as a preschool teacher, a kindergarten teacher or even a childcare worker.
- You would also have job security and the opportunity for advancement over the years. The need, the security, and the room for growth are all there already and would continue to be there for many years to come.
What Can I Do With A Diploma in Early Childhood?
This diploma makes you qualified for different opportunities to teach young children. There are several job opportunities available for a person who has earned a diploma in early childhood. You can pursue any of the following careers;
- School readiness teacher
- Family resource worker
- Infant, toddler, or preschool teacher
- Paraprofessional
- Child specialist with the DCF
- Curriculum coordinator for young children
- Early childhood director.
- Kindergarten teachers
- Child-care workers
- Special Education Teacher
All of these options are available. It is up to you to research and decide which option suits you best.
How Much Can I Earn With A Diploma In Early Childhood
With a Diploma in Early Childhood, your pay rate is from the Children’s Services Award 2010. It states your minimum rate of pay based on the completion of your diploma qualification. However, the average salary of a person with a diploma in early childhood is $45,850 yearly. Wages typically start from $17,420 and could likely go up to $66,369.
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How Long Does It Take To Complete A Diploma in Early Childhood?
Most early childhood education programs can be completed in as little as two years. Over the course of the program, you would take a number of interesting classes and get hands-on teaching experience that will prepare you for a number of future careers. You would learn about the theory of education, art, child development, infant care, and special needs among other things.
You would also have the opportunity to pursue many hours of experience which includes training in art, music, and lesson planning. In addition, by the time you graduate, you will be certified in first aid, CPR, child abuse prevention, and communicable diseases.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Diploma in Early Childhood?
As school systems change, so does the price they charge for taking diploma programs. If you wish to find a concrete price, you should look into the school website materials and speak with workers in the admission offices.
A Step-by-Step Guide on how to Earn a Diploma in Early Childhood
Step One: Research on the school you want to attend for your diploma in early childhood
Listed below are schools that offer a diploma in Early Childhood. Go through them and choose the best school that fits your interest. You should ensure the institution you have chosen is accredited by the U.s government. This accreditation ensures your degree is recognized by other universities, professional associations, employers, and government ministries worldwide.
Step Two: Apply
The U.S does not have a centralized university application system, so you would need to apply to each institution you are interested in separately. You would need to fulfill each institution’s admissions requirement, and usually will also be asked to provide proof of financial resources.
Step Three: Secure the funding
As a student, you should be aware of the financial aspect that goes along with your school choice. Private colleges and universities are usually smaller than public institutions and can have a certain orientation. Usually, they are funded by tuition fees, research grants, and alumni. State colleges and universities, also called public universities are generally large education bodies founded by the US government to provide education for residents of a particular state at low cost.
Step Four: Process your application
Admissions into a diploma in childhood education course are offered both based on the entrance examination and previous qualifying exam scores. After being granted admissions, the shortlisted candidates are put through some important admission process steps before being granted the final admission.
Step Five: Process your Visa
If you are an international student, you would be required to apply for a visa. During the course of the application, make sure you apply for the right visa type. A visa requires an interview that is rather brief and concerned with your motives, goals, and financial support resources. Before going for the interview, you would have to apply and be accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Pay the student and exchange visitor information system. After that, complete a US student visa application along with recent photos. Pay the visa application fee. When all of this is done, you can then go on to schedule and attend a vis interview.
Step Six: Start your diploma program
After you have been offered admission, except on few occasions where the school takes registration and courses online, you would be required to go to the campus and start your program. You may be faced with hurdles such as registration and your way around the campus, try to always ask questions and make inquiries first. If you are an international student, you should report to the office in your institution which is responsible for assisting international students within 30 days of your course start.
What Are The Requirements For A Diploma in Childhood Program?
Here are the few requirements you need to satisfy if you want to obtain a diploma in early childhood program:
- You must have a minimum qualification of class 5th from any recognized Board
- You must have secured at least 55% aggregate overall at the qualifying exam level
- You must have studied mathematics, English, and Social studies as compulsory subjects at the qualifying exam level
- You must have obtained a minimum of passing marks in all the subjects at the qualifying examination level.
10 Best Diplomas in Early Childhood Programs Schools
Colleges across the globe offer on-campus and online programs in early childhood education. However, these are the best 10-
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia tops the list of the Universities that are best in Early Childhood Education. A diploma in this school would provide you with the certification for teaching pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. University of Georgia’s Early Childhood Education program was named in the top 5 by U.S News and World report. The program starts with the foundations of education courses which are critical to teaching success. The classes offered include- Exploring, Learning, and Teaching, Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education, Exploring Socio-Cultural perspectives on diversity.
Visit their website here for more information and enquires
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public metropolitan research university located in Tempe. It was recently named the Most Innovative School in America for the third year by U.S News and World Report. Its diploma for Early Childhood Education stands out for its two-tiered benefits to students. Graduates from Arizona State University are highly sought after. The courses offered include Introduction to Nutrition, Health, and Safety; The Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal; Social and Emotional Development of the Young Child; Family, Community, and Professional Support Systems.
Visit their website here for more information and for enquires
New York University
New York University’s diploma program in Early Childhood Education combines top-tier teacher training with its acclaimed Liberal Arts Core. It ensures graduates have received a well-rounded education and are able to be fully certified in New York at graduation. Classroom fieldwork, done in the diverse and urban New York Community, gives you a practical insight into general and special education settings. The courses they offer include- Human Development, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Inquiry-Based Education, and Foundations of Education.
Visit their website here for more information and for inquiries.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myer diploma program is a well-recognized program for pre-kindergarten. Included is a pre-kindergarten and disability endorsement, which amps up graduates’ resumes and adds to the jobs they can apply for after graduation. Specific courses they offer include- Early Learning Literacy; Child growth and development; Educational Assessment of Exceptional Students; Young Children with Special Needs.
Visit their website here for more information and for inquires.
Mercer University
Mercer University in Georgia offers a dynamic and flexible diploma in Early Childhood Education. It is one of America’s best colleges. It is the oldest private university and enrolls more than 9,000 students. After graduation, you would be certified to teach kindergarten to grade 5. From child’s environment to their cognitive and social development, graduates are enabled to create a curriculum that is suited for student’s success. Courses offered include Health, Nutrition, and Safety; Fundamentals of Special Education; Science for All Learners; Connecting the Home, School, and Community.
Visit their website here for more information and for inquires.
Indiana University-Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a major multi-campus public research institution grounded in liberal arts and sciences. A diploma from Indiana University- Bloomington gives you a teaching license upon graduation.
Graduates will be fully certified in infant or toddler and preschool settings, and also have certification for teaching in Kindergarten-Grade 3 settings.
Early Childhood Education graduates are able to apply for employment in a wide variety of job openings. The courses offered include- Teaching and Learning for All Young Children; Methods of Teaching Language Arts; Science in the Elementary Schools; Introduction to Educational Thought.
Visit their website here for more information and for inquires.
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University of Florida
The University of Florida is a public land-grant research university. It is a senior member of this State University System of Florida. The University of Florida’s early childhood diploma program is a 3-year, interdisciplinary teacher education. Students at the University of Florida are also offered hands-on practicums and engaging early childhood internships. Early Childhood Education is stocked with potential for students looking to earn a multi-faceted degree with lots of employment options from a top-tier university. Courses offered include- Social Foundations of Education, Technology, Language Acquisition, Early Childhood Curriculum, and Management.
Visit their website here for more information and for inquires.
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Kennesaw State University
The Early Childhood Education in Kennesaw State University enables graduates to teach young children, including those with special learning needs. Focused on understanding and engaging the needs of the whole child, Kennesaw State University equips students for long-term teaching success. Course offerings include topics of special education, English Language, Learners, Classroom Best Practices, and Child Development. The Early Childhood Education through Kindergarten program offers student teaching opportunities for students in a diverse array of classroom settings.
Visit their website here for more enquires and for more information
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida offers an outstanding diploma in Early Childhood Education. Graduates are able to serve in one of Florida’s diverse educational opportunities. Some special courses offered include- Introduction to Diversity for Educators; Child and Adolescent Development for Education; Curriculum Activities in Early Childhood; teaching Science and Technology to Young Children. Its emphasis on education foundations, collaborative learning, and research-based practices helps young learners find success.
Visit their website here for more inquires on Early Childhood Education.
Georgia Gwinnet College
Georgia Gwinnett College is located in Lawrenceville. The diploma is tailored for teaching preschool through Grade 5. With small class sizes and leading faculty scholars, Georgia Gwinnet offers an incredible program. Specific courses include learners and learning environments; Geometry for teachers; Approaches to Teaching Writing; Instructional Design and Delivery. Each semester, the students participate in-field experiences in the local community and have direct interactions with classrooms.
Visit their website here for more inquiries.
Conclusion
A surge of growth happens within the first five years of growing up. It is the only stage when your brain develops faster than any other part of the body. This is why this delicate period requires the aid of qualified Early Childhood Education professionals, as they understand the inner workings of a child and their thought processes and are able to apply effective teaching methods that young children can absorb.
References
- https://info.athenacareers.edu/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-earn-a-degree-in-early-childhood-education
- https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/early-childhood-studies
- https://www.applyboard.com/blog/what-is-early-childhood-education-heres-what-you-need-to-know
- https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/why-study-early-childhood-education/
- https://www.collegechoice.net/rankihttps://www.phillipsbrooks.org/post/~board/features/post/the-importance-of-early-childhood-education ngs/best-early-childhood-education-degrees/
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