Preschool Paraprofessionals: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of preschool paraprofessionals 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 preschool paraprofessionals to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of preschool paraprofessionals 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 preschool paraprofessionals.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Preschool Paraprofessionals?

Do preschool paraprofessionals need a degree? What kind of experience do preschool paraprofessionals 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 preschool paraprofessionals to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Preschool Paraprofessionals

A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of preschool paraprofessionals. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 56% of positions. In 21% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 14% of postings no education level was listed.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Preschool Paraprofessionals

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 preschool paraprofessionals. In 47% of job postings for Preschool Paraprofessionals, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 38% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 10% of job postings for preschool paraprofessionals.

What Kind of Degree Do Preschool Paraprofessionals Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for preschool paraprofessionals, 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 20 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective preschool paraprofessionals, and in 2023 a total of 73,587 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 preschool paraprofessionals.

Top Degree Programs for Preschool Paraprofessionals

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 Preschool Paraprofessionals

What Skills Do Preschool Paraprofessionals Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by preschool paraprofessionals 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 preschool paraprofessionals, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Preschool Paraprofessionals
Based on 2,637 job postings

Based on 2,637 job postings related to preschool paraprofessionals, early intervention was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 76% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for special education, child development, preschool education, psychology and individualized family service plans (ifsp) were also highly sought.

As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for preschool paraprofessionals, followed by teaching, coaching, organizational skills, multilingualism and coordinating.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about preschool paraprofessionals? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for preschool paraprofessionals.

What do preschool paraprofessionals do?
How much do preschool paraprofessionals make?

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