Preschool Teacher - No Degree?

[Navy Wifey]

Hi...

I was wondering if anyone teaching preschool has just an early education certificate and no degree? I'm a career changer with a B.S. in Business and I was wanting to teach preschool first before I receive my elementary teaching credentials.

I have very little experience with children and I was wondering if I should just go straight for my teaching credentials or if I should take my ECE credits first and get a job as a preschool teacher while going to school for my credentials?

Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks.

[starpolisher225]

Personally I would suggest if you have little experience with children to go for your degree. If you have limited experience many places are not likely to hire you, they want experience. I saw your name is Navy wife. Is your husband full time?? If so, you may want to look into Department of Defense teaching positions. (My husband is Air Force) Also, are you living on a base? They hire civilians to work in on base daycare facilities. Hope this helps some, it is just my opinion though...

I think you should start working in a base daycare center. MWR usually does the hiring for those. (By the way, I'm a Navy brat who's resided near the Great Lakes Naval Base my entire life and knows people in MWR who do the daycare hiring.) Then, after you've been working in a base daycare center for awhile, get your ECE certificate out of the way. Then, I'd say go for the Elementary Education as you work in ECE. However, it's up to you to ultimately decide. But, the experience of working in a daycare center on base is really a good place to start and get your feet wet.

[TeachWildThings]

I see you are in CA. Go to the CCTC web site. If you have a BA (in anything) all you need is one field experience class to be a ECE teacher. Odd, I know. I agree with the sugestions to try working a bit. Right now you deffinately qualify to be an aide at least in a district elementary &/or CDC. If you really want elementery you will have HUGE hoops to jump right now. Most Cal State Universities will not accept you w/out taking the CSET first. However, if you are going to be in CA awhile & you do want elementary, once credentialed in CA most (not all) states accept their credentialing straight across or with very little additional requirements.

[Navy Wifey]

Thanks for everyone's input.

starpolisher225: My husband is full time active duty. I did check into the DOD teaching positions and all jobs needed 9-12 units of ECE or teaching credentials. I don't live on base, but it's faily close to where we live. Daycare facilities here on base in CA require at least 9 units in ECE.

Elizabeth: They're actually hiring for an Educational Specialist on base here, but they require 9 units of ECE. That's what sparked me to get my ECE certificate because like you said, I can work on base while I get my elementary teaching credentials.

TeachWildThings: I did go to the CTC site and I never knew that all you needed was one field experience class! Kind of weird. I know what you're talking about when you say I have huge hoops to jump in order to even get accepted in a teacher prep program here in CA. I just took the CBEST this past Saturday and I'm due to take the CSET in May. I heard the CSET is way tougher than the CBEST. Then again, if I passed the CBEST... I can substitute teach. Getting credentialed in CA is definitely a daunting task, but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the long run.

Thanks again for all your encouraging words. You're all great!!

[Wtknee1]

I think its great you want to be a Preschool Teacher! I would suggest applying at a Headstart Center as a Teachers Aide or community vollunteer first , to experience the classroom community. I started out as an involved Headstart Parent, then substitute TA(1 yr-which was great experience working with different teachers styles-settings(no Degree required-just Fingerprint ID card),then parttime TA and college student(2 yrs)(Headstart funded) untill I recieved my AA and soon to recieve my DDD Cert. Headstart supplied many trainigs ,oppurtunities and support. Its not the easiest job but it is certainly the most rewarding.Good luck!

[Mariaelena]

HI,
I would like to ask you if correspondance cousre on education Degree on line are valid in order to teach in usa.

[Navy Wifey]

Wtknee1: I'm actually going to volunteer teaching 3rd and 4th grade summer school at my church. Just arts, crafts, poetry and maybe some photography. I know it's not preschool, but it'll get me at least some more experience with kids.

Mariaelena: Were you interested in a online bachelor's, master's or teacher preparation program? In what concentration? Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary? There are many available online, but you should check with the Department of Education of the state that you want to teach in first before you apply to any online programs. Anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong about this.