Because of the nature of the education provided to children at the earliest stages of their development, the work of early childhood educators is not completely academic, as it is for teachers of older children. Instead, "Early childhood spans the human life from birth to age 8…education during this period is holistic in that it focuses on physical, intelligence/cognitive, emotional, and social education (PIES). Although early childhood education does not have to occur in the absence of the parent or primary caregiver, this term is most often used to denote education by someone other than these people. It is important to note that both research in the field and early childhood educators view the parents as an integral part of the early childhood education process. Early childhood education takes many forms depending on the theoretical and educational beliefs of the educator or parent. Other terms that are often used interchangeably with 'early childhood education' are 'early childhood care', 'early care', and 'early education'" ( www.en.wikipedia.org ).

Find Early Childhood Degrees Online.

Niche Areas
As has already been noted, a degree in early childhood education can lead to a wide range of work in the field. And one of the major determining factors in the area in which you eventually specialize is the focus of your studies. Your options include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Developmental disorders
• Language disorders
• Cultural diversity
• Special needs among children
• Program development
• Guidance / Discipline
• Communications skills
• Special education (www.wright.edu)
• Administration
• General teaching work

Types Of Associate, Undergraduate & Graduate Programs Available
Getting into a program in Early Childhood Education may not be as difficult as you fear. Indeed, because of the nature of the work, many adults who are returning to school and who pursue this field do not have professional experience in it. And that's okay: Life experience with children, a passion for education and for helping others, and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of many people, will take you far. Of course, if you have no experience in the field, it is a good idea to begin with a bachelor's degree so that you have a solid base of knowledge in the field. After that, pursuing a graduate degree will afford you the opportunity to become more specialized in your area of interest.

Typical Admissions Requirements
Because of the heavy focus on science in the field, a background in some other related scientific area of study is most helpful. Certainly training in food science-specific (or relevant) areas is necessary for acceptance to a graduate-level program. But for a bachelor's, even if you don't have much (or any) background in the field, you can take classes at a community college to make up for these academic shortcomings and facilitate your eventual acceptance into a food science program.

Careers In This Field
Education is a wide-ranging field, so a degree in Early Childhood Education does not necessarily mean you will have to work as a teacher (though that, of course, is one of the most popular options). Rather, a degree in the field will prepare you for work in any aspect of the education of young people, and your options include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Center-based programs
• School-age programs
• Family child care homes
• Group child care homes
• Child care resource and referral (CCR&Rs) agencies
• Early intervention settings
• Early childhood special education programs (www.nccic.org)
• School administration

Salary Ranges In This Field
Because of the range of careers available to those with degrees in Early Childhood Education, and because of the variety of places in which they can work, the range of salaries is quite wide. In general, however, teachers can expect to make more money in public schools than in private schools, and those who work in the private sector stand to earn more than those who work within the various levels of government. However, these are generalizations. For a more accurate view of what you stand to earn, it is a good idea to research the area of specialization that you would like to pursue.

Future Outlook
"Job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught. Most job openings will result from the need to replace the large number of teachers who are expected to retire over the 2004-14 period. Also, many beginning teachers decide to leave teaching after a year or two-especially those employed in poor, urban schools-creating additional job openings for teachers. Shortages of qualified teachers will likely continue, resulting in competition among some localities, with schools luring teachers from other States and districts with bonuses and higher pay". www.bls.gov

The job outlook differs a bit for those looking to work in non-teaching aspects of the early childhood education field, but you should research your area of interest specifically for a better idea of what to expect.

For additional details on online degrees or assistance researching online schools for information on online teaching degrees, please visit eLearners.com for program details.

Resources

1. www.naeyc.org (The National Association for the Education of Young Children)
2. www.acei.org (The Association of Childhood Education International)
3. www.nea.org/earlychildhood (The National Education Association-Early Childhood Link)