Kindergarten Teachers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of kindergarten teachers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for kindergarten teachers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of kindergarten teachers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for kindergarten teachers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Kindergarten Teachers?
Do kindergarten teachers need a degree? What kind of experience do kindergarten teachers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for kindergarten teachers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Kindergarten Teachers
Jobs Postings for Kindergarten Teachers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 5,984 (41%)
- No Education Listed: 5,733 (39%)
- High School or GED: 1,773 (12%)
- Master's degree: 1,007 (7%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 73 (1%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of kindergarten teachers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 41% of positions. In 39% of job listings no education level was listed and in 12% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Kindergarten Teachers
Jobs Postings for Kindergarten Teachers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 3,707 (79%)
- 2-3 Years: 799 (17%)
- 4-6 Years: 83 (2%)
- 7-9 Years: 38 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 61 (1%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for kindergarten teachers. In 79% of job postings for Kindergarten Teachers, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 17% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 2% of job postings for kindergarten teachers.
What Kind of Degree Do Kindergarten Teachers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for kindergarten teachers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 12 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective kindergarten teachers, and in 2021 a total of 137,643 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective kindergarten teachers.
Top Degree Programs for Kindergarten Teachers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Kindergarten Teachers (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Elementary Education and Teaching. | 42,613 |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching. | 32,693 |
| Education, General. | 29,696 |
| Teacher Education, Multiple Levels. | 9,780 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,141 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Elementary Education and Teaching. | 42,613 |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching. | 32,693 |
| Education, General. | 29,696 |
| Teacher Education, Multiple Levels. | 9,780 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,141 |
| Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor. | 5,653 |
| Education, Other. | 4,749 |
| Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching. | 2,416 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,323 |
| Bilingual and Multilingual Education. | 1,302 |
| Montessori Teacher Education. | 252 |
| International Teaching and Learning. | 25 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Kindergarten Teachers
Achieve your goal of becoming a life-changing elementary school teacher in Ohio with Franklin’s Primary Education program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Kindergarten Teachers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by kindergarten teachers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for kindergarten teachers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Kindergarten Teachers
Based on 13,370 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Kindergarten Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development | 3,033 | 23% |
| Lesson Planning | 2,858 | 21% |
| Classroom Management | 1,516 | 11% |
| Curriculum Development | 1,116 | 8% |
| Early Childhood Education | 992 | 7% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Kindergarten Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 6,245 | 47% |
| Communications | 3,590 | 27% |
| English Language | 3,231 | 24% |
| Leadership | 3,147 | 24% |
| Patience | 3,005 | 22% |
Based on 13,370 job postings related to kindergarten teachers, child development was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 23% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for lesson planning, classroom management, curriculum development, early childhood education and learning styles were also highly sought.
As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for kindergarten teachers, followed by communications, english language, leadership, patience and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development | 3,033 | 23% |
| Lesson Planning | 2,858 | 21% |
| Classroom Management | 1,516 | 11% |
| Curriculum Development | 1,116 | 8% |
| Early Childhood Education | 992 | 7% |
| Learning Styles | 981 | 7% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 888 | 7% |
| Differentiated Instruction | 855 | 6% |
| Educational Assessment | 784 | 6% |
| Primary Education | 780 | 6% |
| Special Education | 768 | 6% |
| Instructional Strategies | 561 | 4% |
| Social Studies | 494 | 4% |
| Office Equipment | 476 | 4% |
| Preschool Education | 429 | 3% |
| Working With Children | 416 | 3% |
| Small Group Instruction | 413 | 3% |
| Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) | 363 | 3% |
| Philosophy Of Education | 360 | 3% |
| Behavior Management | 358 | 3% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 6,245 | 47% |
| Communications | 3,590 | 27% |
| English Language | 3,231 | 24% |
| Leadership | 3,147 | 24% |
| Patience | 3,005 | 22% |
| Planning | 2,025 | 15% |
| Organizational Skills | 1,747 | 13% |
| Customer Service | 1,576 | 12% |
| Multitasking | 1,390 | 10% |
| Writing | 1,345 | 10% |
| Mathematics | 1,293 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 1,142 | 9% |
| Progress Reporting | 1,028 | 8% |
| Problem Solving | 878 | 7% |
| Management | 866 | 6% |
| Parent Communication | 864 | 6% |
| Research | 854 | 6% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 804 | 6% |
| Presentations | 581 | 4% |
| Multilingualism | 547 | 4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about kindergarten teachers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for kindergarten teachers.
What do kindergarten teachers do?
How much do kindergarten teachers make?
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