Preschool & Kindergarten Teachers
Description OES Code: 31303 & 31304
Preschool Teachers: Instruct children (normally up to 5 years of age) in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for primary school in preschool, day care center, or other child development facility. May be required to hold State certification.

Kindergarten Teachers: Teach elemental natural and social science, personal hygiene, music, art, and literature to children from 4 to 6 years old. Promote physical, mental, and social development. May be required to hold State certification.

Wages, California (OES 31303)
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $7.80
25th Percentile $8.52
50th Percentile $10.58
75th Percentile $13.76

Wages, San Joaquin (OES 31303)
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $7.61
25th Percentile $7.98
50th Percentile $11.68
75th Percentile $15.87

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
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.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 38,100
Projected Employment 2008 50,900
Percent Change 1998-2008 33.6%
Separations 1998-2008 9,500

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 920
Projected Employment 2006 1,090
Percent Change 1999-2006 18.0%
Separations 1999-2006 150

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
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.

Advancement
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.

Getting the Job & Other Information
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. They should also network with other Preschool Teachers and follow up jobs listed in newspapers and trade publications.

Skills & Other Requirements
Preschool Teachers introduce and direct art, music, language communication, play, and other creative activities. They help each child-whether a newcomer, hyperactive, 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.

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.

Applicants are fingerprinted and often must undergo a background investigation before going to work.

For a list of current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education 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.

References
California Occupational Guide: Teachers - Preschool #275

Related Occupation: Teachers - Elementary School #10, Teachers - Secondary School #57, Teachers - Special Education - 110, Teachers Aides #502

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)