Early Childhood Education Schools and Programs in The United States

Early Childhood Education Studies in The United States

Early childhood education (ECE) covers the care and teaching of young children, from infants and toddlers to the first years of primary school. In the United States it is studied at every level of higher education, from short certificates at community colleges to bachelor's and master's degrees at universities. What a teacher needs depends on where they want to work: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), education and training requirements vary by setting and by state.

SpainExchange lists 160 schools in the United States under early childhood education. Most are colleges and universities that train teachers; the list also includes private schools with programmes for young children, such as Oak Hill Montessori Community School in Shoreview, Minnesota, which teaches children from 16 months, and the French international school Rochambeau in Bethesda, Maryland, which takes pupils from age 2.

How the qualifications are organised

There is no single national degree. The main levels are:

• Certificates and diplomas: short programmes at community colleges, such as the Early Childhood Preschool Certificate at Alamance Community College in North Carolina
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential: a national credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition, which has issued more than one million; Bucks County Community College offers a 120-hour CDA preparation course
• Associate degree: two years at a community college, either as a career degree or as a transfer degree towards a bachelor's; College of Lake County in Illinois states that its ECE credits transfer to 4-year institutions in the state
• Bachelor's degree: usually four years of full-time study, with field experience and student teaching; it is the route to a teaching licence
• Master's degree and doctorate: for specialisation, leadership roles or research

Bachelor's programmes are often built around the grades a teacher will be licensed for. SUNY Cortland in New York, for example, offers a Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (birth to grade 2) of 126 credit hours, and a programme in Early Childhood and Childhood Education that gives dual certification for early childhood settings and kindergarten through grade 6. Students there spend 100 hours or more in the field before student teaching.

Admission and language

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. Each college sets its own entry requirements. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application.

Community colleges are the cheaper way in. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees in 2022-23 were $4,000 at public 2-year colleges and $9,800 at public 4-year institutions. These averages use the in-state rate, so check the rate each college charges non-residents. EducationUSA notes that credits from a community college can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study early childhood education

The programmes are spread across the country. Wilmington has the most schools in this directory (five), followed by Washington (three). Examples include large public universities such as The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Florida; regional universities such as the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Illinois State University; and community colleges such as Broward College in Florida and American River College in Sacramento.

Recognition and licensing

Public school teachers need a state-issued licence. According to BLS, preschool teachers in public schools must be licensed in early childhood education, which covers preschool through third grade; requirements vary by state but generally include a bachelor's degree and an exam. Some states also require preschool teachers to hold a professional credential. Outside public schools the rules are lighter: preschool teachers typically need at least an associate degree, although at least half of the teachers in Head Start programmes must have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field. Check also that the college is accredited: EducationUSA notes that a school certified by SEVP may not hold national or regional accreditation.

Careers

Graduates work as preschool teachers, kindergarten and early elementary teachers, early childhood special education teachers, childcare centre directors and family support staff. According to BLS, 65% of preschool teachers work in child daycare services. Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 66,700 openings each year; for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, BLS projects about 99,400 openings a year. A bachelor's degree in early childhood education often qualifies teachers for kindergarten through grade 3 as well as preschool.

Frequently asked questions

What degree do I need to teach preschool in the United States?

It depends on the setting and the state. Preschool teachers typically need at least an associate degree; in public schools they generally need a bachelor's degree and a state licence.

What is the CDA credential?

The Child Development Associate credential is a national early childhood credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. Colleges such as Bucks County Community College offer preparation courses for the CDA assessment.

Can I start at a community college and finish at a university?

Yes. Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees, and many have transfer agreements with four-year universities, which can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.