PRESCHOOL TEACHERS California Occupational Guide Number 275 Interest Area 11 1996
PRESCHOOL TEACHERS do the important work of nurturing and educating California's youngest children during their most formative years.
Preschool Teachers work in child development facilities: preschools, day care centers, public and private elementary schools, and employer sponsored centers both-on site and off site. They stimulate the children's curiosity and imagination by providing them with opportunities to learn through "play" experiences and to question, observe, investigate, and experiment.
Preschool Teachers introduce and direct art, music, language communication, play, and other creative activities. They help each child-whether a newcomer, hyper-active, or shy-adjust to the preschool setting as naturally and comfortably as possible. They also help children adapt to group living. Teachers strive to be aware of each child's mental, physical, and emotional needs and potential. They consult with parents, administrators, and child development specialists.
Preschools are usually located in pleasant surroundings in converted houses, churches, new or remodeled buildings in business districts, public parks, playgrounds, and public and private schools. The newest trend is the employer-sponsored child care center.
Teachers may belong to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, American Federation of Teachers, or the California Teachers Association.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Private day care centers and their teaching staff are licensed by the California Department of Social Services. There are about 9,000 pre-school centers in California as of 1996.
Preschool teachers teaching in private schools are required to be at least 18 years of age and meet one of the following requirements:
Either:
-- Twelve semester units in early childhood education (ECE), and -- Six months of work experience in a licensed day care center, or -- A current valid Child Development Associate (CDA), and six months on-the-job training and/or work experience.
Preschool teachers employed in the public school system must possess one of three instructional permits issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing:
Regular permits require:
-- 24 semester units of ECE , and -- 16 semester units in general education, and one of the following:
-- Two experience periods* as a paid aide or assistant in a child development program, or -- Three experience periods as a volunteer in an instructional capacity, or -- One experience period with a Limited Instructional Permit, or -- Two or three semester unit field course work and one experience period.
* (an experience period is defined as service for not less than two hours per day for at least 100 days in not more than a three-year period)
Limited Children's Center Instructional Permit requires:
-- Passage of the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program assessment, and -- One experience unit of full time teaching, and -- Six semester units in child growth and development and early childhood education.
Emergency instructional permit requires:
-- 12 semester units in child growth and development and early childhood education, and -- A statement of need for emergency instructors from a school district.
and one of the following:
-- One experience period in a child development program, or -- Supervised field work course, or -- Enrollment in an early childhood/child development training program.
Finally, applicants for permits must pass basic proficiency requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics. A regular permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five-year periods. A limited children's center instructional permit is issued for no more than two years; two renewals for three years each are allowed. An emergency permit can be renewed for two, three-year periods.
Applicants are fingerprinted and often must undergo a background investigation before going to work.
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
Estimated Number of Workers in 1993 40,480 Estimated Number of Workers in 2005 59,050 Projected Growth 1993-2005 46% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 11,320
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover)
Preschool Teachers rank among the fifty largest growth occupations in California with an impressive 46 percent new job growth. Private schools and public school districts will fill 18,570 new jobs and will need another 11,320 to replace the those teachers who retire or simply leave the job market.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Salaries vary widely between geographical areas, individual qualifications, and the size and type of the school. For new teachers, median salaries range from $4.75 to $6.10 per hour. Teachers with some experience start at a median $5.00 to $9.50 per hour. Teachers with three or more years with the same school earn between a median $6.75 to $10.25.
Many private schools are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and operate year round. Public school teachers work from four to six hours a day for nine months a year, although some districts maintain year-round programs. Many positions are part time.
Most employers offer vacation plans, health insurance, and sometimes educational benefits. Teachers employed in California Children's Centers are included in the State Teachers Retirement System and receive health and sick leave benefits.
Promotion is from assistant teacher, teacher, head teacher, and finally, to teacher-director. Additional education may be necessary for advancement. Courses in administration and supervision, and an advanced academic degree are usually required for top-level positions.
Teachers who advance their careers by opening their own schools must develop a program which conforms to State and local regulations. They must also deal with the added responsibilities of staffing and financing.
Preschool teachers should apply directly to schools, the local Board of Education, college placement offices, and a local office of the California Employment Development Department's Job Service. They should also network with other Preschool Teachers and follow up jobs listed in newspapers and trade publications.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Public School System Preschools:
Commission on Teacher Credentialing Box 944270 (1812 9th Street) Sacramento, CA 94244-2700 (916) 445-7254
Private Sector Preschools:
California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division 744 P Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 657-3661
Elementary School Teacher No. 10 Secondary School Teacher No. 57 Special Education Teacher No. 110 Teacher Aides No. 502
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Teacher, Preschool 092.227-018
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Teachers, Preschool & Kindergarten 313020
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group, (916) 262-2162.