by Lisa Bjurstrom

Created on: November 29, 2009

Sandy has been working at a childcare center for over twenty years. For the past five to ten years, she taught preschool at the center. Each week, Sandy turns in a lesson plan to the director. Supplies are gathered for projects; she cuts them out at home, if necessary. On weekends before a new unit, she visits the center to re-organize the classroom. Sandy has taken some classes at the technical school in order to stay up-to-date on CPR and teaching techniques, and has attended seminars annually. Sandy's students respect her discipline and creativity. However, times are changing among the educational field, as they are in the business world. Sandy is now required to have a four year degree in order to remain teaching at the preschool. With the education, dedication and responsibility required of preschool teachers today, this position should be paid and treated equal to those teachers in public school.

Preschools, like any other school or business entity, want to hire the most qualified individuals to challenge and inspire the young minds of their students. And just like in the business world, competition is getting more abundant and fierce. Among the many preschools to choose from in your town, how do you decide which one you will send your child to? Most will look toward those with the awards: the state accreditation, the certification by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), and others. However, this licensing comes with a price. In order for the preschool to attain this status, their teachers must have the proper schooling and other current certifications.

For most preschools, the teachers are held to the same standards as those in public school. There are likely teachers at your child's preschool that hold a bachelors degree. They have put in the same time and energy as those who teach in elementary schools. Every preschool teacher must test their students for kindergarten readiness, including the social and emotional areas. They report this information to parents and present recommendations in order to help the students along in weaker areas. Preschool teachers have knowledge of the curriculum used in elementary school in order to best prepare their students.

The preschool teacher also must be familiar behaviors and thought processes of this age level. Many of their students are still learning the basics like hand-washing, covering your mouth when you cough, and how to share and respect each other. While in preschool,

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