Is a career in childcare for you? What about becoming a Montessori guide? Whether you call it early childhood education, daycare, childcare, preschool, or a Montessori Children’s House, working with young children is incredibly rewarding and valuable.
Upon the institution of National Teacher’s Day in 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The teachers are, of course, among the most important people in our nation. Day in and day out they are at work preparing the future citizens of the U.S. . . . I have always felt that we did not give an honorable enough place in our communities to the teachers. Next to parents they are the most important people in our communities.”
If you love being around children, find joy in their natural curiosity and enthusiastic discoveries, appreciate their ingenuous observations, enjoy nurturing and caring for their developmental needs; if you like doing something new and staying active every day; if you are eager to see children grow and be successful, an early childhood career may be just the right path for you!
While working with young children has its challenges (as do all career paths), we think it is one of the most rewarding careers available. What a privilege to have a positive impact on the youngest members in our community and to make an investment in tomorrow’s leaders and world changers in their formative years! As Dr. Maria Montessori said, “Within the child lies the fate of the future!”
We firmly believe that those who work in early childhood are not simply “daycare” workers or “child care” workers, but are educators and professionals, and the work that they do is incalculable in value!
Entering the Early Childhood Field
An individual just getting started in the field can gain valuable hours of experience as a teacher’s aide or assistant teacher, with on-the-job training, mentorship and ongoing professional development opportunities. In Minnesota, a teacher’s aide must be at least 16 years of age and an assistant teacher must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED. Assistant teachers must also have varying combinations of experience and education, based on their credentials.
Early Childhood Teachers
One of the first steps an individual takes in their early childhood career is to become a teacher. In the state of Minnesota, teachers must have varying combinations of experience and education, based on their credentials. Here are some of the teacher-qualification options we most often see individuals pursue.
Child Development Associate. A child development associate can be completed with a year, and is renewed every three years. It is a combination of 120 hours of online instruction, a compilation of a professional portfolio, an exam and classroom observation by a coach. It also requires a minimum of 480 hours of experience with children in the age group the CDA is in (for example, Infant-Toddler or Preschool).
Early Childhood Education Coursework. By taking a minimum number of qualifying college credits from an accredited institution, combined with two years of full time experience, an individual can become lead teacher qualified.
Early Childhood Education Associate’s. An associate’s degree from an accredited institution involves around 60 credits, and can be completed in two years. While many institutions offer online or in person classes, there is also a required in person field experience/student teaching component. Individuals with an associate’s in early childhood education needs at least six months of full time experience to become a teacher.
Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution involves around 120 credits and can be completed in four years. While many institutions offer online or in person classes, there is also a required in person field experience/student teaching component. In order to become a teacher, an additional six months of full-time experience is required.
Association Montessori Internationale Diploma. An internationally recognized Montessori teaching credential, the AMI diploma can be completed in less than 18 months and requires one year of full-time experience in addition to 8 semester credits of qualifying coursework. Minnesota is fortunate to have our very own Montessori training institution, which is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. They offer a blended online program with a few weeks of in person training each summer; they also offer an entirely in person option. The Montessori Training Center of Minnesota also partners with Metropolitan State University to offer college credit and a degree option.
American Montessori Society Certificate. AMS is a MACTE accredited organization; the certificate can be completed in less than 18 months and requires on year of full time experience in addition to 8 semester credits of qualifying coursework. Minnesota is fortunate to have several MACTE accredited programs in our state. Sonnet Montessori’s partners at St. Catherine’s University (St. Kate’s) in St. Paul offer an AMS Montessori Certificate, in addition to the option of combining the certificate with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. They also offer a Montessori graduate program.
Early Childhood Administrators
After gaining experience and education in the early childhood field, many individuals go on to become: Mentor Teacher, Director/Head of School, Director of Education, Regional Director, or enter specialist or executive roles within companies. We are pleased to partner with our sister schools at Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Centers to offer opportunities for growth within our state in our greater Midwest region.
Career Growth Opportunities at Sonnet Montessori
Sonnet Montessori offers many in-house leadership development programs for individuals wishing to take the next step in their career, and partners with other institutions for individuals wanting to further their education and obtain additional credentials.
Getting Your Early Childhood Credential or Degree for Free?! Yes, It’s Possible!
We know that the cost of reaching your career goals can be prohibitive. With credentialing programs costing a few thousand dollars, a Montessori diploma nearing $15,000, and an associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education often ranging from $30-60,000, depending on the institution, you may wonder where to start.
Sonnet Montessori offers in-house employee continuing education programs and partners with programs offered in our state and by private institutions to help you reach your career goals!
Contact us today if you’re interested in learning about how you can get your early childhood certificate, degree, or Montessori diploma/certificate at little or no cost to you! (In the form of scholarships, grants or reimbursement programs.)
