Pre-K Teachers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of pre-k 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 pre-k 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 pre-k 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 pre-k teachers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Pre-K Teachers?
Do pre-k teachers need a degree? What kind of experience do pre-k 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 pre-k teachers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Pre-K Teachers
Jobs Postings for Pre-K Teachers By Education
- High School or GED: 105,746 (41%)
- No Education Listed: 71,811 (28%)
- Bachelor's degree: 68,618 (27%)
- Master's degree: 10,137 (4%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1,203 (0%)
High School or GED is the level of education sought the most by employers of pre-k teachers. According to job data, a High School diploma or GED was required for 41% of positions. In 28% of job listings no education level was listed and in 27% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Pre-K Teachers
Jobs Postings for Pre-K Teachers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 56,141 (67%)
- 2-3 Years: 23,181 (27%)
- 4-6 Years: 3,733 (4%)
- 7-9 Years: 375 (0%)
- 10+ Years: 976 (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 pre-k teachers. In 67% of job postings for Pre-K Teachers, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 27% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 4% of job postings for pre-k teachers.
What Kind of Degree Do Pre-K Teachers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for pre-k 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 11 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective pre-k teachers, and in 2021 a total of 96,601 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 pre-k teachers.
Top Degree Programs for Pre-K Teachers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Pre-K Teachers (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Education, Other. | 4,749 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Education, Other. | 4,749 |
| Child Development. | 4,641 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management. | 3,885 |
| Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching. | 2,416 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,323 |
| 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 Pre-K 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 Pre-K Teachers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by pre-k 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 pre-k teachers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Pre-K Teachers
Based on 241,792 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Pre-K Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Education | 91,755 | 38% |
| Child Development | 75,318 | 31% |
| Lesson Planning | 45,162 | 19% |
| Early Childhood Education | 36,545 | 15% |
| Working With Children | 22,476 | 9% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Pre-K Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 89,940 | 37% |
| Communications | 59,695 | 25% |
| Leadership | 32,688 | 14% |
| Planning | 31,633 | 13% |
| Patience | 26,799 | 11% |
Based on 241,792 job postings related to pre-k teachers, preschool education was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 38% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for child development, lesson planning, early childhood education, working with children and classroom management were also highly sought.
As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for pre-k teachers, followed by communications, leadership, planning, patience and english language.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Education | 91,755 | 38% |
| Child Development | 75,318 | 31% |
| Lesson Planning | 45,162 | 19% |
| Early Childhood Education | 36,545 | 15% |
| Working With Children | 22,476 | 9% |
| Classroom Management | 20,953 | 9% |
| Interactive Learning | 14,394 | 6% |
| Diaper Changing | 11,012 | 5% |
| Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) | 9,897 | 4% |
| Head Start (Education Program) | 9,849 | 4% |
| Special Education | 8,568 | 4% |
| Curriculum Development | 8,199 | 3% |
| Housekeeping | 8,160 | 3% |
| Developmental Psychology | 6,670 | 3% |
| Early Head Start (Education Program) | 5,998 | 2% |
| Primary Education | 5,393 | 2% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 5,229 | 2% |
| Toileting | 4,994 | 2% |
| Child Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) | 4,518 | 2% |
| Bilingual (Spanish/English) | 4,473 | 2% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 89,940 | 37% |
| Communications | 59,695 | 25% |
| Leadership | 32,688 | 14% |
| Planning | 31,633 | 13% |
| Patience | 26,799 | 11% |
| English Language | 25,153 | 10% |
| Lifting Ability | 21,010 | 9% |
| Writing | 16,127 | 7% |
| Management | 14,357 | 6% |
| Parent Communication | 13,805 | 6% |
| Customer Service | 13,038 | 5% |
| Organizational Skills | 12,720 | 5% |
| Research | 11,442 | 5% |
| Multitasking | 10,882 | 5% |
| Problem Solving | 10,804 | 4% |
| Enthusiasm | 10,269 | 4% |
| Energetic | 10,180 | 4% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 10,163 | 4% |
| First Aid | 9,859 | 4% |
| Record Keeping | 9,777 | 4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about pre-k teachers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for pre-k teachers.
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