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Studies & Degrees in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education is the study of how young children develop and learn, and of how to care for and teach them before and during the first years of school. The age range depends on the country. In Spain the stage called Educación Infantil runs from birth to six years, in two cycles. In the United States, preschool teachers work with children younger than five who have not yet entered kindergarten. Some university programmes go further: the degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia focuses on children aged 0 to 8, and the one at London Metropolitan University on children from birth to seven.

Students learn about child development, play, language and early literacy and numeracy, health and wellbeing, working with families, and how to observe and record each child's progress. Learning through play remains the central idea of the field: young children learn through their senses, movement and direct experience rather than formal lessons. Every programme includes supervised placements in nurseries, preschools or schools.

Qualifications and levels

The qualification you need depends on the country and on the age group you want to work with.

  • Spain. There are two official routes. The vocational training (FP) title of Técnico Superior en Educación Infantil is a grado superior of 2,000 hours and qualifies its holders to work as educators in the first cycle of Educación Infantil, up to three years. The university bachelor's degree (Grado en Educación Infantil) trains teachers for the whole stage: at the Universidad de Murcia it takes four years and 240 ECTS credits, is taught on site in Spanish and lists as career outcomes teacher of Educación Infantil for the 0-3 and 3-6 age groups.
  • United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, preschool teachers typically need at least an associate's degree, which community colleges offer. In public schools they are generally required to have at least a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field and must be licensed to teach early childhood education, which covers preschool through third grade. Requirements vary by state.
  • Australia. The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) at the University of the Sunshine Coast is a nationally accredited programme of four years, with supervised professional experience in early childhood and school settings. International students on a student visa can take it full-time only.
  • Canada. The Early Childhood Education certificate of the University of the Fraser Valley, in British Columbia, is spread over four semesters and includes two practicums. After completing the programme, a first aid certificate and 500 hours of supervised work, graduates can apply to the provincial licensing board for an Early Childhood Educator licence. Students can continue to a diploma.
  • United Kingdom. Universities offer bachelor's degrees in early childhood studies. The Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) at London Metropolitan University is designed for experienced practitioners and for people new to the field.

Where to study it

This directory lists 270 schools that teach early childhood education. The United States has 160 of them and Spain 51, followed by the United Kingdom with 11, Australia with 8 and Canada with 7; there are also schools in Germany, Cyprus, Colombia, Peru, New Zealand and other countries.

In the United States the subject is taught at research universities, for example The Ohio State University, San Diego State University, Purdue University and the University of Washington, and at community colleges such as Northeast Community College in Nebraska, Laramie County Community College in Wyoming and Alamance Community College in North Carolina. Other examples are the Universidad de Murcia in Spain, London Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom, the University of the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne City College Australia, the University of the Fraser Valley in Canada, and Cyprus College in Nicosia.

Teaching is in the language of the country, because graduates will work with local children and families: Spanish in Spain, English in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Because teaching young children is regulated nationally or by state or province, a qualification from one country does not automatically allow you to teach in another. Students who plan to work in a different country should check its recognition and licensing rules first.

Careers

Graduates work in nurseries and childcare centres, preschools, the first years of primary school, after-school and leisure programmes, and services for children and families. In Spain, TodoFP lists roles for the Técnico Superior en Educación Infantil such as educator in the first cycle of Educación Infantil and educator in institutions or programmes for children aged 0-6 at social risk. In the United States, preschool teachers typically work in public and private schools or childcare centres.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 583,200 preschool teacher jobs in 2025 and projects employment to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 66,700 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

What ages does early childhood education cover?

It depends on the country. Educación Infantil in Spain covers birth to six years; some degrees in Australia and the United Kingdom extend to seven or eight years.

How long does it take to qualify?

It depends on the route. The Spanish vocational title has 2,000 hours, the certificate at the University of the Fraser Valley is spread over four semesters, and the bachelor's degrees in Murcia and at the University of the Sunshine Coast take four years.

What is the difference between the Spanish FP title and the university degree?

The Técnico Superior en Educación Infantil qualifies educators for the first cycle (up to three years). The Grado en Educación Infantil, of 240 ECTS credits, trains teachers for the whole stage up to six years.

Can I teach in another country with my qualification?

Not automatically. Licensing rules are set by each country, state or province; in US public schools, for example, preschool teachers must hold a state licence.