4 Tips for Getting a Preschool Teacher Certification

No matter what stage you're in your education journey - just starting out, halfway through, or seeing the end in sight before you get to officially manage your own classroom - there's never a bad time to consider what's coming in your future and how to make it easier for you.

That's why today we're sharing the best tips for getting a preschool teacher certification, things veteran teachers wish they'd known when just starting out, and how to prepare your classroom to become everything you need for your first year of teaching as an early childhood educator.

What Preschool Teacher Certifications Can You Get?

There are a few different certifications that preschool teachers might pursue before entering the classroom.

There's the Praxis, which is a standard exam most educators need to pass in order to get a teaching license or certification in their state.

There are different exams based on the grade you plan to teach, what subjects you'll teach, and what region or state you're getting certified to teach in.

There is also a Certified Childcare Professional endorsement for those who want to become preschool teachers who don't have the required educational background. It's provided by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) and can be recognized in every state.

Lastly, many preschool teachers try to get a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. This credential gives you the ability to watch smaller groups of children under the age of five after completing 120 hours of early childhood education training.

Which certification or program you choose to pursue depends on your needs and the requirements of the state you plan to teach in, but having more than one certainly can't hurt your chances.

Preschool Teacher Certification Tips

Now that you know about possible preschool teacher certifications you can pursue, it's time to check out these tips to make doing so a bit easier.

1. Keep Where You Want to Work in Mind

There are so many possible certifications and learning opportunities for preschool teachers

However, some of them won't be of any help to a public school teacher, a Sunday school teacher, or a specialized daycare attendant. So keep in mind what you're working toward and educate yourself accordingly.

2. Research Your State's Requirements Before You Start

Maybe the state you're considering teaching in has unique certification requirements or wants education that you don't yet have. This could make things harder for you down the road or make you want to change your mind midway through.

Do the research first and choose where you want to get your teaching license or certification accordingly.

3. Try to Get Multiple Certifications, Endorsements, or Educational Experiences

While getting more than one certification may not be required in your state, and you may not need to get teaching experience before you take over your own classroom, it can help you get ahead and create a better environment for your students if you do.

4. Study Hard

Studying for your certification exams is definitely important, and knowing important classroom terms and strategies is vital to your future success as an educator.

You also need the right mindset, temperament, and the ability to adapt. Even if you study well and know all the steps to running a classroom in theory, in practice you might have to be ready to throw all that knowledge out and just wing it.

What You Need to Know Before Starting Your First Class

With those tips for getting certified under your belt, here's some more casual or classroom-specific advice from veteran teachers and industry professionals that can help you make your first time in the classroom a success.

Keep in Mind That Each Child is Different

It can get easy when you have a full classroom to treat all the kids as one big unit, but you also need to meet each child's individual needs and consider their desires and capabilities as a single person.

Some may struggle more with a particular subject or skill, while others may need more engaging lessons, and still more may need to be given a watchful chance at independent learning.

Always Be Prepared for Anything

What if it's raining outside the day you had an outdoor activity planned? What if today's reading activity just isn't keeping the kids engaged enough? What if some of the kids are sick or having a bad day?

Try your best to be prepared for unexpected problems, and make sure you have multiple backup plan options for activities and learning opportunities for your students.

Establish a Routine and Stay Organized

Young children need a routine, and you need an organized classroom - why not put these two together?

Make child-friendly organization strategies for the classroom like color-coded labels and easy-to-reach storage bins and get your students involved in a daily cleanup routine so they can learn some important cooperative, organizational, and cleanliness skills as a regular part of their day.

Get Creative and Be Flexible

Things don't always go to plan, and that's okay. Make sure to be flexible with your students and your lesson plans. Be willing and able to change things if needed to accommodate a child's needs or ensure a lesson goes off without a hitch.

Be creative in helping your students learn or overcome challenges. Children always learn better from more memorable, fun activities.

Complete Your Preschool Teacher Certification and Start Teaching Today

Now that you know about the top preschool teacher certification tips and are prepared to enter your classroom for the first time, it's time to finish getting your teaching certification today and get started on making a difference in the education of young children tomorrow.