What are typical preschool teacher salaries?

Do some companies pay a lot more for this position than others? What does a top earner make in this field?

What skills should you learn to increase your salary?

As I'm sure you've heard the pay is not very good. Make sure you get your CDA and First Aid/CPR. Ask around regarding schools you'll be applying for. Your first impressions will tell you a lot. Good luck!

Company financed preschools will pay the best, but most expect teachers with an extensive background and education. Teachers in my present school receive from $14.00-$20.00 an hour depending on whether they have just a Bachelors or a Masters degree. We don't hire anyone with just CDA credentials, but it's a good place to start.

teacher that have CDA or AD in early childhood will not make more than $10 hour that the top pay
childcare discount are pretty good but unless you work for a school district or head start your hour can very from 10 hour one week to 50 the next because it based on how many kid are there that week
it not all bad
best you can do to increase your earnings and to have stable hours on top of education is to learn to work with as many age group as you can
also learn office skill and large volume cooking
good luck it is a great job to have

I am looking for a VPK teacher/Director job. I have both

Janet in Valencia, California said: As I'm sure you've heard the pay is not very good. Make sure you get your CDA and First Aid/CPR. Ask around regarding schools you'll be applying for. Your first impressions will tell you a lot. Good luck!

South Carolina's Child Development Centers need better guidelines. These businesses are run by people who have had no educational degrees, diplomas, or certificates. There need to be guidelines for the workers. Most Centers are run by high school graduates, or older long term people who had long term experiences. Their experiences are out-dated; however, their values are could be a hindrance or complimentry depending on the individual

Janet in Valencia, California said: As I'm sure you've heard the pay is not very good. Make sure you get your CDA and First Aid/CPR. Ask around regarding schools you'll be applying for. Your first impressions will tell you a lot. Good luck!

What is wrong with the Preschool Business? It needs better guidelines. Ask yourself can you teach all children? Do you know how to figure out their method of learning? Do you know the six basic objectives? What do the children need to know before entering Kindergarten? Do you understand assessment or observational analysis? Owners of these centers are in it for money if the care does not enhance emergent literacy. It is best to open your own day care to get better pay.

Yes, the CDA credential is very important. There are many different organizations that offer this option online. CDAClass.org is one option and is inexpensive and you can complete pretty fast too.

I am very excited as I have taken all of the required cources to open my Lg.Fam.Daycare. CPR, First Aid included.
I have given away most of my living room furniture to create space for the children I hope to be serving.
I am dilligently looking for second -hand furniture to develop a conducive,colorful, comfortable environment to stimulate their environment.

My son recently died and I just want to do my utmost best for every child and their family that comes to my home daycare.

Any sugestions on how to decorate inexpencively>, or how to get some funds.
Thank you for sharing.

Erica, You'll have no problem with employment in a daycare or preschool setting. Make sure you do your homework regarding what school you choose. Yahoo has daycare/preschool reviews. Also salary range can be huge depending on the school. I think we as preschool teachers have settled for horrible pay long enough! How many people can do our job AND do it well???

what is the pay for A preschool teacher ? when they frist start?:

loser in Melbourne, Florida said: what is the pay for A preschool teacher ? when they frist start?:

Iam going to attend an interview on 27th Nov for supply teacher for pre-school.
If they ask me for salary expectation what do u think i should expect?
My qualification is M.A. Bed and 13 years of experience as elementary school teacher in India. Worked in canada as ECE Assistant in 2002.

14-20 an hour? I find that hard to believe. Places like Primrose, Kids R' Kids, LaPetite, etc. pay 7-8. You must be dreaming.

I'm currently a student at varsity in South Africa. My dream is to become a pre-school teacher, but I'd first like to know the salary that they earn here so that I can pay back my student loans. Can anyone help me?

I've been in a child care setting for 10 years. Although it is a rewarding career (in the right school), the pay is just low. I've considered finishing my degree, but for the small increase in pay it's not worth the time or expense for college.

ecj in Trenton, Michigan said: jen: this is right up my alley. I am a career changer. Age 41. I want to start with my CDA and AD and work in Head Start at first - there are lot of positions for Assistant teachers in my area. I hope eventually to go on to get a bachelors and possibly a masters degree in special edcuation. It's hard because I am a single Mother . I know I will not make much at head start as an assistant teacher or even possibly a lead teacher. But it's all about the experience to me. As I said my eventual goal would be to work with special needs children in a preschool setting in a position as you described. My son has autism. He was in such a program several years ago. Then it was called PPI (pre-primary impaired) then. I think they go by ECP (early childhood program)now . They were wonderful. I imagine it was VERY challenging for teachers and assistants. But I do have the background with special needs and work with developmentally challenged children on a volunteer basis and serve on a board of directors for a nonprofit org that services special needs children. I have even homeschooled my son with special needs and loved it.

My only concern is my age and because I do have to take this in stepping-stones. CDA, then AD, the Bachelors. I cannot quit working to go school full-time. I wondered if anyone else has gotten a teaching degree this way as a nontraditional student.

I am glad to hear your son had a positive experience during his early education years. It sounds like you would be a perfect fit for special education! You would have an instant connection with your student's parents and you be able to share expereinces that you had with your son, with them. I am not sure how you are on computers, but I found that online classes are the best way to go if you are working full time. You don't have to drive to a campus, you can complete your coursework without leaving your home.

who cares i am gay

run, run, run, that is all that i can say. i have been in teaching for 20 years and the funding keeps getting slashed, there is not any long term security in this profession.

frank did you move up to managememt at la petite. because i am there now and the only people who make that type of money are managers and people who have been there for years.

Well...I read someone stating 7-8 an hour but that is DEFINITELY not right when that is below minimum wage (at least in Cali)

7-8 is not below minimum wage everywhere.

marisole in Memphis, Tennessee said: 7-8 is not below minimum wage everywhere.

our center starts out teachers at 7.25 that is it. and NO its not right!

Mrs. Geegee in Greenville, South Carolina said: South Carolina's Child Development Centers need better guidelines. These businesses are run by people who have had no educational degrees, diplomas, or certificates. There need to be guidelines for the workers. Most Centers are run by high school graduates, or older long term people who had long term experiences. Their experiences are out-dated; however, their values are could be a hindrance or complimentry depending on the individual

This is so true! When I lived near Charleston, SC I stayed at home with my son. I toured several facilities- not even the in- home daycares and was not impressed! "Teachers" had maybe their GED's; had trouble reading the words from Toddler aged books; missing teeth; old buildings even the franchises such as Kindercare! So thankful we moved out of SC- many people are receiving a subpar education there and the black/white racism is still terrible there.

Host said: Do some companies pay a lot more for this position than others? What does a top earner make in this field?

What skills should you learn to increase your salary?

I believe that it depends on where you live. I know that at the center I work for it is the highest paid for where we live and provides benefits. I understand that not many mom and pop centers can do that. In Arizona you have to be 18 years of age, high school grad or ged, and 6 month experience in early childhood, to be a child care teacher. My guess for a Preschool Teacher with a Masters would be about 20/hour and that would be if the center is NAC or NAEYC. A piece of paper(college degree) doesn't mean you will be a good teacher, it is the person themselves and some have it, some don't.

I've been with my current company for 7 years and I thought that the pay wasn't great (less than 10 after 5 years, and only 10 dollars now because I have my CDL). Dissatisfied 2 years ago, I applied for nearby daycare positions. One offered me a position at 9.00 and another 8.75. This is, mind you, when I had current CPR/First Aid, a BS in Psychology, 7 years of experience, and 5 continuous years at one company. I was appalled at how little these companies offered. From friends that work at Primrose, some make great pay and some do not. Each Primrose school is a franchise (much like The Learning Experience, KinderCare, etc.) and therefore the owner sets the payscale. You may make 12 an hour at one center, while an equally qualified person at another center down the street will be making 10 (or less). It also depends on the area--Richmond pays more than my hometown, but there's a greater need for childcare here.

You are right. I used to work at Primrose and they do pay well. I'm now trying to find full time work, but most places are only offering part time. It's tough out there.

I would say it depends on the area around Spring Hill and Brooksville, I have only been offerd $9 an hr and I have everything even a B.A. But if I drive to the south Land O Lakes or Lutz, they offer up to $13 an hour depending on the school

head start teacher make 14.00 a hour with an AAS in child development

In pompano preschool teachers make $8.00 to $10.00 per hr

I would like to have the CDA certificate. Do I need to take the 120 hours at a college? I have a B.A. with a minor in education but it is not exactly in early education.

I want to know what is a VPK teacher CERTIFICATE? I have my 40 Hours and CDA Certificate but when I aplied for a VPK teacher position they asked me about that.

Yes - what do the courses consist of? I was told I'd either have to have the CDA Certificate, and the 40 hours or be a licensed teacher with experience. It's kind of amazing to me- this job gets paid just above minimum wage yet the classes are over $1,000 to get... Ive worked in preschools before and have a lot of schooling already- I even have a bachelor's in social work and went through all the the LPN program in my early 20s but didn't repeat the last semester- found it too grueling to repeat after I put everything into it. Anyway- it used to be you could just walk in off the street a little over 10 years ago- when did they start requiring the cda? I think it's probably an excellant idea- I just find it amazing that preschool and nurses' aides now require one to study so hard and pay for fairly expensive tests yet those jobs are kind of at the bottom of the scale- I never think of people in those fields as making much money.

I'm an assistant teacher with a Bright Horizons Family Solutions center. I find it hard to believe that teachers make less than $8 an hour. Here, in Alabama minimum wage is $7.25 and I make $9 an hour with no CDA, Associate's, or Bachelor's degree. I'm currently in college pursing a career in Early Childhood Education and I would hate to think overall my expected pay would be going DOWN if I pursued a preschool teaching position fulltime.

I'm going to college this fall for master's in early childhood education and currently volunteering at Early Head Start. A lot of people seem to be having a hard time with the low pay, it makes me wonder how much I would be receiving once I finish up my Master's. Any idea? Any feedback would be helpful. I love children and this is an important career change for me. Thanks so much! Excited yet nervous about graduate school!

i just enrolled in cda classes with cda.org currently i am an aide at a child care center and i started out at $10.00 an hour. it will go up when i finish classes. pay depends on experience and location.

After getting my B.A. I worked a bit in special ed for $17.25 an hour, I turned to preschool to supplement my income, my first year I was getting $15 per hr as a preschool teacher. During that time I went and got my CDA site supervisor permit. I quit to work for another preschool teaching position for $18.93/hr.

Stuff that helped me out... did an internship at a local community college child development center. took classes for ECE units.

Also, avoid working for big corporate preschools. They are in it for the money so you won't get paid well, rather look for high quality preschools where you will get paid better, learn high quality teaching methods that will help you in the long run.

Hope this helps out!

I have an interview at kindercare in ohio tomorrow. I'm in college getting my bachelor's in education and i applied to be a teacher's assistant. Right now im in retail making only 7.47 an hr but i get at least 30hrs. I need to know how much they pay at kindercare because if it isn't significantly higher than the job i already have, i dont think i should take it.

I am a VPK teacher as well as the Director and Owner...and I do not make $15/hr. The reason why most of us get into this business is because we want to make a difference. The Difference in the pays cale has nothing to do with the particular school or for the most part how much money an owner wants to profit. The reason why there is such a discrepancy in the pay scale is because of the socioeconomic status of the population that school serves. I am in a low to mid income sector and my average tuition fee is $120/week. You can drive 7-9mins east of where I am at and you have a school that charges $180 as an average tuition fee. That is what determines the pay scale. I obviously can not match what that preschool pays their staff however it all comes down to the respect and treatment that you get at your place of employment. I have partnered up with the state and offer a program, called T.E.A.C.H that enables my staff to go back to school. The state and the school picks up the bill.

MJohnson, I have to disagree with you. There are great preschool/day cares out there that "Get It", but they are few and far between. A lot of those franchise schools are mostly in it for the money. Many do not start off like that, but the owner (which usually has no clue about early childhood)becomes greedy. As harsh as it sounds, it's true. Many times will hire staff that will take $8-$9 an hour. I for one am passionate about my classroom and there aren't many people out there that could do what I do and do it well. Therefore, I think we are greatly underpaid and yes there are many owners that just want that big profit.

I also wonder if it would be worth it to complete my Masters in Early Childhood Education. I'd like to be "highly qualified" but would I even get compensated for what I'm paying for grad school?

wat is the lowest salary does a pre school teacher get paid?

I'm currently going to school for masters of education in early childhood and I'm interested in working with toddlers. My concern is I might not have a good chance in finding a job compared to people who have an associates or a BA in the field because people would rather pay less for someone with a lower degree. Any thoughts? From what I've seen, there aren't many teachers who work with toddlers that have their MA, they either have their 90 hour, associate and working toward Bachelors.

To Whom It May Concern:

Are you looking for an experienced person? I believe that my qualifications along with my drive and determination would make me an excellent full time candidate for your organization. Among my qualifications for your organization are the following:

Earned Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Governors State University in December 2006.

Currently I am a member of the Illinois Army National Guard.

I have job experience in the field.

I have strong leadership, positive attitude, organizational skills, and good communication. I am able to motivate, develop, and lead a team of experienced people. Also, I have an understanding of a person’s needs. Furthermore, I have several dynamic approaches. Also, I am willing to relocate for the right career position.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we may organize a brief phone conference or possible interview. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss an open position and how I might fit into your organization. I will initiate a follow-up call to your Human Resources Department within the next 48 hours on the progress of this resume.

Sincerely,

Thomas
Email: tgpii@yahoo.com
Online Resume: www.resumebucket.com/tgpii
www.esgr.com

Mrs. Geegee in Greenville, South Carolina said: South Carolina's Child Development Centers need better guidelines. These businesses are run by people who have had no educational degrees, diplomas, or certificates. There need to be guidelines for the workers. Most Centers are run by high school graduates, or older long term people who had long term experiences. Their experiences are out-dated; however, their values are could be a hindrance or complimentry depending on the individual

Yes these people should be removed because they appear to have no knowledge of what education is demanding now. I think they stay there because of the pay. The place where I work nothing has changed although the demand on higher learning is the primary focus. The curriculum needs to be changed, more structured to meet the demands of education in this century. The materials we have are not challenging enough. So yes these people need to move on and let people with updated education take charge. This is head start!

Mrs. Geegee in Greenville, South Carolina said: South Carolina's Child Development Centers need better guidelines. These businesses are run by people who have had no educational degrees, diplomas, or certificates. There need to be guidelines for the workers. Most Centers are run by high school graduates, or older long term people who had long term experiences. Their experiences are out-dated; however, their values are could be a hindrance or complimentry depending on the individual

Yes these people should be removed because they appear to have no knowledge of what education is demanding now. I think they stay there because of the pay. The place where I work nothing has changed although the demand on higher learning is the primary focus. The curriculum needs to be changed, more structured to meet the demands of education in this century. The materials we have are not challenging enough. So yes these people need to move on and let people with updated education take charge. This is head start!

To Whom It May Concern:

Are you looking for an experienced person? I believe that my qualifications along with my drive and determination would make me an excellent full time candidate for your organization. Among my qualifications for your organization are the following:

Earned Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Governors State University in December 2006.

Currently I am a member of the Illinois Army National Guard.

I have job experience in the field.

I have strong leadership, positive attitude, organizational skills, and good communication. I am able to motivate, develop, and lead a team of experienced people. Also, I have an understanding of a person’s needs. Furthermore, I have several dynamic approaches. Also, I am willing to relocate for the right career position.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we may organize a brief phone conference or possible interview. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss an open position and how I might fit into your organization. I will initiate a follow-up call to your Human Resources Department within the next 48 hours on the progress of this resume.

Sincerely,

Thomas
Email: tgpii@yahoo.com
Online Resume: www.resumebucket.com/tgpii
www.esgr.com

It depends if you work for a private establishment or a privately owned school. The private owners dont want to pay. It seems that some of those schools are just out to get paid. I agree with the other younglady if your philosophy is not the same it is very stressful. Because most of the private schools I worked for they hired a lot of teachers that are not educated or doesn't obtained a CDA or anything. They just look forward to collecting the money fromthe different government programs. iI don't know how some of these private schools are getting certified for these programs. I was recently working for this private school in Miami Shores. I was hired as Jr. Administravtive Assistant, instead after starting the job I ended up being the Lead VPK teacher, Bus Driver, and Afterschool Teacher. All expected for the salary of $10.00.I am certified VPK, Director's Credential and 45 college credits towards my Associate degree I deserve more. Only because the people previously employed was working but she knew she could get in trouble for hiring them. How can I one person fill all these positions without the pay. I tried it for a month but more and more responsibility became mine. I was responsible for training the other teachers that were not certified, create all classroom schedules, and classroom settings. I couldn't do it no more. Too much responsibility without the pay. Some of these schools are rediculous especially the private owners they are just in it for the money. Collecting checks and that's all. I'm planning to open my own facility that cares about my staff and the families I serve.

It used to be a few years ago one could walk into a preschool and get hired off the street. Now I called, and I have a bachelor's in social work, experience working with children in daycares, summer camp, public schools as a substitute teacher for over 6 years, and some college classes like child welfare, intro to education, educational psychology... cpr, nurses aide... they said that's not good enough- need more than just the 40 hrs required by the state- either need to be certified as a teacher, or take the classes that are like $1000 to $3000 to get certified in early education plus the 2 classes that give one the 40 hrs required... all for $10 an hr. Wow- it's starting to seem to me one must have either a master's degree or a phd in order to know you'll be able to get work.. or never change careers once youre in! (Can you tell I'm getting a bit discouraged looking for work? Most job ads require 3 yrs experience so I'm going to look back in social work). this is in southeast fla.

It's sad because they want you to get all this education and certifications when the pay stays the same. What I have found and Im certified and have all my certificates. Most these owners of the private daycares has none of the above and they are runnign a school. This is so unfair. I was recently working at a privtely owned school and the owner has hired a lotof teachers that has no education or certification and she expected to pay me the same as she paid them. Plus none of them had experience working in a shcool setting. I was working in positions taht I never applied for. I was the VPK teacher, BUs Driver, and Afterschool teacher. None of which I applied. Then she ave me the responsibilty of training the teachers and all school events. A bit much for $10 per hour. I quit because I felt I was being used. She had no compassion for the children or her staff. All she wanted was the money from the CDS program, VPK, and charging the parents $250 per week for the cash payers. She did nothiong for the school. All the money in her pocket. I believe teachers should be paid accoring to there level of education and experience. And the DCF inspectors need to check employee files when they go into these schools and stop being friends with the owners. Its sad because the children are not gonna be prpared for Kindergarten when they reach. Things have got to get better. Or this will be EPIC failed.

If you're looking for a job in early childhood, do your homework. Look into every school before you apply. Just because the appearance has the "wow" factor doesn't mean they're top notch. Unfortunately, there are more inadequate schools then quality schools. We need to unionize ladies!!!!