Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
Preschool Teacher Career Guide
Preschool Teacher Career Guide
Overview
What Is a Preschool Teacher?
A preschool teacher is an early childhood educator who works with children younger than age five who haven’t yet started kindergarten classes. Early childhood educators focus on teaching children the foundational skills they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. These skills include socioemotional skills and pre-literacy, pre-math, motor and life skills.
Preschool teachers help their young students become comfortable with the classroom setting and adjust to being away from their primary caregivers. They help shape character development, and they may alert parents and other caregivers to the potential indicators of developmental delays.
Role
What Does a Preschool Teacher Do?
Preschool teachers help students learn through playing and other hands-on activities.(See disclaimer 1) They also support young children to develop an academic, social and behavioral foundation for elementary school. Preschool teachers use storytelling, rhyming games and other play techniques to engage and instruct their young learners. They also help young children learn important social skills, such as sharing, cooperation and cultural respect.
What does a preschool teacher do on a daily basis? Their top tasks include:
Nurture
Preschool teachers must create a safe, welcoming classroom environment in which children feel confident and secure. They guide children’s social and emotional development, teaching skills such as empathy and cooperation.
Teach
Preschool teachers help young learners get ready for kindergarten by teaching lessons in pre-literacy and pre-math skills, such as number, shape and letter identification.
Inform
Preschool teachers connect with parents and guardians to keep them informed of their child’s progress and of the routines and activities in the classroom.
Outlook
Why Be a Preschool Teacher?
Early childhood education is essential to a young learner’s academic, social and emotional development. Preschool teachers play an important role in helping children build foundational skills that support lifelong learning.
Career opportunities may be available in a variety of educational settings, though requirements for employment, licensure and certification vary by state and employer. As a result, job outlook and salary expectations can vary significantly from state to state. For individuals who are passionate about working with young children, however, preschool teaching offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact during some of the most important years of a child’s development.
Settings
Where Do Preschool Teachers Work?
Preschool teachers work in educational services. They may work for public or private schools, including faith-based preschools. These teachers can expect a traditional school year schedule, with 10 working months during the school year and two months off for summer vacation. Some preschool teachers additionally teach in summer programs.
What is a preschool teacher’s workplace like? They typically work in the following settings:(See disclaimer 2)
Public Preschools
Preschool educators may work in publicly funded preschools, preparing children to enter kindergarten.
Private Preschools
Some preschool teachers work in private preschool settings, which can include faith-affiliated schools.
Daycare Centers
At daycare centers, preschool teachers take care of young children and teach important skills.
Individual and Family Services
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2% of preschool teachers work in individual and family services, which may provide services to the community.(See disclaimer 2)
Career Path
How To Become a Preschool Teacher
The requirements for becoming a preschool teacher vary by state and by work setting. You will need to research the requirements for the state and setting in which you plan to work. All states require public school teachers to obtain state licensure, and licensure requirements for preschool teachers will vary. Depending on your state, you may need a college degree, field experience and a passing score on a licensure exam.
According to the BLS, you can follow these three steps to become a preschool teacher:(See disclaimer 3)
Earn a College Degree
You will typically need a bachelor’s degree to become a preschool teacher in a public school. Look for a degree in early childhood education that leads to initial teacher licensure.
Gain Field Experience
Depending on your state, preschool teachers may need field experience in the classroom, such as a student teaching experience.
Obtain State Licensure
Obtaining state licensure may require fulfilling coursework requirements, as well as demonstrating field experience and passing a written exam.
Education
Preschool Teacher Education Requirements
High School Diploma
In high school, meet with your school counselor to ensure you are on track to fulfilling all graduation requirements. Additionally, take electives that can prepare you to pursue a career in education. Some helpful high school classes for future teachers may include childcare, child development, psychology, parenting and first aid.(See disclaimer 4)
College Degree
Depending on the type of school and state in which you plan to teach, you may need a bachelor’s degree to become a licensed preschool teacher. Look for a degree in early childhood education that leads to initial teacher licensure. Expect coursework in areas such as child development, instructional methods and learner assessments.(See disclaimer 3)
Field Experience and Student Teaching
State licensure requirements may include field experience or a student teaching placement, which is similar to an internship.(See disclaimer 3) During your field experience, you will be placed in an early childhood classroom to observe an experienced educator at work and practice working with young learners.
Entry-Level Roles
Some states require preschool teachers to first gain experience in childcare settings. Preschool teachers in these areas may begin working as childcare workers or teacher assistants before becoming preschool educators.(See disclaimer 3)
Professional Certifications
All preschool teachers who wish to teach in publicly funded preschools must obtain state licensure. Requirements vary by state, but typically include specific coursework, field experience and a written exam. Teacher candidates may also be observed working with children.(See disclaimer 3)
Degrees for Aspiring Preschool Teachers
6 Matching Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education
Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure)
Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure)
Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (Leads to Initial Licensure)
Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (Does Not Lead to Licensure)
Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure
Skills
What Preschool Teacher Skills Do You Need?
Preschool teachers need a strong understanding of child development and instructional methodologies. They can also benefit from having multiple soft skills that help them communicate information clearly, keep children engaged in the learning process and organize school records.(See disclaimer 3)
Some of the most important preschool teacher skills include:(See disclaimer 3)
Communication Skills
Preschool teachers need to communicate well with young learners who have limited vocabularies, as well as with their parents or guardians.
Creativity
Preschool educators exercise creativity when planning engaging lessons for young children.
Patience
Working with a class full of young children can be challenging. Patience is helpful for this career.
Organization
Preschool teachers need to keep detailed records on the learners under their care, as well as plan and organize activities.
Find Your Path
Discover the requirements for different teaching career paths.
Career Fit
Is Teaching Right for Me?
Earning an education degree can provide a pathway toward a career preparing students for their own educational path and future career. Beyond early childhood education degrees, GCU offers a wide range of education and teaching degrees. Discover your options and prepare to inspire your future students.
Explore Teaching and Education Degrees
Explore More on Early Childhood Education
Before making the decision to become an early childhood educator, read through GCU’s curated blogs on teaching careers to learn more about what to expect.
Early Childhood Education Careers
Discover the importance of early childhood education and learn about specific careers within the education field.
What Do Teachers Do?
Learn about the typical job responsibilities of teachers at different levels, and explore other teaching roles such as physical education.
Top 8 Qualities of Effective Early Educators
What does it take to become an effective educator? Learn about the top qualities of early childhood education teachers.
Start Your Path in Early Childhood Education
Your path toward becoming a preschool teacher can start at GCU. Explore early childhood education degrees today.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). What Preschool Teachers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Preschool Teachers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become a Preschool Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 2026.
- Illinois WorkNet Center. (n.d.). Kindergarten Teachers - Helpful High School Courses. Illinois Career Information System. Retrieved May 2026.