Long Hours and No Sick Days
Just like a parents’ work is never done, the same is true for the teachers of early
childhood-age children. When you consider the amount of paperwork early
childhood educators are responsible for on top of managing a classroom full of
little ones all day, you can see why long work hours may be among the many
challenges preschool teachers face today.
While this is not a new problem and isn’t isolated to early childhood learning, it
may be one of the bigger preschool issues, and problems teachers are currently
facing due to federally mandated student-teacher ratios. Since a certain number of
early education trained professionals must be present depending on the size of
the classroom, serious staffing problems can arise if a teacher takes a day off or
calls in sick. This circumstance in a preschool class can create a stressful
situation where teachers feel compelled to come to school no matter how bad
they feel to keep the peace.
Of course, the clear answer to this staffing problem is to hire more trained early
childhood professionals, but the solution isn’t problem-free. We will address
some of these issues later in the article. For now, consider how difficult it might
be for schools and childcare facilities to attract and keep new teachers in the
ECE field when they’re not able to pay for the most basic tools that young
children need to be successful. To top it off, there are constant professional
development requirements. Most teachers need a masters degree in education.
Even if you earn one fast with programs like these 1-year masters in education
programs you can earn online, it’s still really hard.
Declining Mental Health
Poor mental health
An early childhood educator needs to be their best self in the classroom. This is
not only for their own sake but for the well-being of the kids in their care. The
problem of declining mental health in the ECE field affects little ones, so it’s an
issue everyone should care about. Specifically, when teachers feel stressed or
overwhelmed in their classrooms, their teaching skills suffer, and so does their
ability to manage the classroom. They may have a shorter fuse with their
students or not feel up to providing as much positive encouragement as children
at this age need. A large amount of evidence has proven that children exposed to
too much stress in the early years of life can have tremendous difficulty down the
line. This includes stress disorders and even mental impairment. It’s clear that a
young child’s healthy brain development is dependent upon relationships with
caring, stable adults who can model positive stress responses.
While the mental health of early childhood teachers has been a concern for a
long time, the rise of Covid has only made the problem worse. In Virginia, for
example, 33% of preschool teachers working in public schools reported feeling
depressed in 2020. This is up from just 15% pre-pandemic. And for reasons we’ve
already talked about, taking a mental health day was simply not possible for
many of these teachers who suffered in silence for the most part.
Online Teaching
When schools across the country turned to distance learning as a way to stay
afloat during the pandemic, preschools took it especially hard. That’s because so
much of what we know about early learning goes against the idea that young
children can learn effectively online. That is to say, research-backed teaching
methods like project-based learning and free play are hard to replicate via Zoom.
While distance for preschoolers in and of itself tops the list of challenges
teachers face today, this problem was made worse when partway through the
pandemic, parents across the United States were given the choice of whether to
keep their kids at home for virtual learning or send them back to school for face-
to-face learning. That meant the school curriculum for preschool and
kindergarten classrooms was divided into two groups. Teachers would be
responsible for providing equal instruction to both. In many cases, this meant two
separate sets of lesson plans, two sets of grade reports, and not enough time in
the day to tackle either one. Parents may have felt empowered by choice
between virtual and regular instruction. For teachers, divided curriculum planning
only added to the list of preschool issues and problems brought on by Covid-19.
Low Pay
If you’ve read this far, you may think that early childhood teachers should be
some of the highest-paid professionals in the world. And you’d be right.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case at all. On the contrary, early childhood educators
are notoriously underpaid. This is especially true for young teachers just entering
the profession and those without an advanced degree. According to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics (BLS), preschool teachers earned an average annual wage of
just $31,930 in 2020, and the lowest 10% of teachers in the field made just
$21,900 yearly. Ironically, that puts many preschool teachers who are married
with children of their own under the U.S. poverty line. In California, early
childhood educators are twice as likely as other employed residents to live in
poverty. Despite receiving praise from parents, administrators, and even the
community at large, it’s easy to feel underappreciated when you’re working long
hours and still can’t make ends meet.. That feeling can take hold, making
teachers feel as if their work is meaningless, which can lead to burnout, another
of the key challenges teachers face today.
Lack of Resources
A recent study entitled Closing America’s Education Funding Gaps found that
public schools in the United States are underfunded to $150 billion per year.
Moreover, researchers found that this funding gap disproportionally impacted
school districts comprised mostly of black and Latinx students. What does this
mean for early childhood educators? It means that among the many challenges
teachers face today, lack of resources remains one of the most important. To
make up for the extremely small budgets set for classroom materials, many
kindergarten and preschool teachers resort to desperate measures to make sure
their kids don’t fall behind. This can mean even reaching into their own pockets
(which are often close to empty due to their poor salaries) to make up the
difference. If you were to ask a group of early childhood educators the question:
“what are the challenges of a preschool teacher?” a lack of resources would
almost assuredly be discussed.
Burnout
Burnout in the teaching profession is real, and it has been for a long time. If you
add up all the kindergarten/preschool issues and problems, it comes down to the
sad reality that finding and keeping qualified early childhood educators is
becoming increasingly difficult. According to a 2020 study, a whopping 44% of
new teachers leave the field of education within the first five years of entering it.
To find the many reasons why one only has to ask: what are the challenges of a
kindergarten or preschool teacher today? Unfortunately, there are too many to
name, but it seems one of the key obstacles that lead to burnout is
micromanagement in the profession.
Young teachers enter the field bright-eyed and ready to change the world with
their creativity and inspiration, only to find out that teaching has become strictly
laid out, thanks to looming accountability protocols. This includes the presence of
a national curriculum and a growing number of standardized tests they must
prepare their young learners to take. Many new teachers feel that the job they
were tasked with is simply impossible, and the pressure is two-fold. They feel
pressured by parents and administrators to perform miracles in the classroom
(with few resources). They also put a lot of pressure on themselves to deliver for
the kids in their classrooms. Then there are the common kindergarten/preschool
issues and problems that these children bring. Sadly, it often comes from issues
at home like food insecurity, absent parents, emotional and behavioral problems,
and even abuse. This can make the mountain becomes too steep for a lot of new
teachers to climb, especially when they feel unsupported.
Burnout isn’t just a problem for teachers; it affects our nation’s children too. It’s
common knowledge that preschool-aged children need stable relationships with
adults to thrive. When a kid’s teacher leaves their job because of the growing
challenges facing early childhood education today, it can disrupt a child’s social
and emotional development and lead to missed milestones and gaps in learning
later on.
Rewards of Working in Early Childhood Education
At the start of our discussion, we promised to discuss both the challenges and
opportunities in early childhood education. While it’s easy to focus on the many
problems faced by a preschool or kindergarten teacher today, it’s just as
important to remember the positive things. Many of these dedicated educators
return to their jobs school year after the school year. The reason they do it? The
kids.
Perhaps more than any other professional, early childhood educators see the
value and promise in children. Deep inside, they know what these kids can
accomplish. They make supporting these children’s learning and development
their primary purpose in life. This is why working in early childhood education is
often referred to as a calling. For those who answer it, the rewards are many.
Seeing a child grasp a new concept, for instance, or forming a bond with a child
labeled a “behavior problem,” is often enough to keep these preschool and
kindergarten teachers going strong for months at a time. Of all the potential
benefits of teaching at this level, the knowledge that you’re truly making a
difference in the world (albeit one child and one lesson at a time) is arguably the
greatest reward.
Conclusion
Kindergarten and Pre-K teachers who are making the decision to enter the field
should be aware that they will face both challenges and opportunities in early
childhood education. If the last year or so has taught us anything, it’s that the
challenges teachers face today may not be the same ones they’ll face the
following year. Thus, early childhood education teachers must be resilient
enough to weather the storms while keeping their passion for guiding little ones
burning bright. It isn’t an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. We would
argue that not only does it call for a special type of person but also the support of
individual communities and the nation at large. Many of the problems faced by
kindergarten teachers and preschool teachers alike are financial in nature (like
low pay and a lack of resources). As a society, we must be willing to invest in our
future This means opening our wallets to support early childhood educators and
the children they’re responsible for teaching.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Century Foundation: U.S. Schools Underfunded by Nearly $150 Billion
Annually
[Link]: Ratios and Group Sizes
Economic Policy Institute (EPI): Breaking the Silence on Early Child Care
and Education Costs
EdSurge: The Pandemic Was Disastrous for Early Childhood Education
Fordham Institute: A New Era of Accountability in Education
Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child: Toxic Stress
Rewire: Why New Teachers are Burning Out Early
Scholastic: Summer Slide Statistics &
Prevention
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: 2021 Poverty Guidelines
Related Resources:
Education Degree Rankings
Top 50 Online Colleges for Early Childhood Education (Bachelor’s)
Master’s in Early Childhood Education Online: Top 25 Values
Online PhD Early Childhood Education
Highest Paying Early Childhood Education Jobs
Top 12 Characteristics of a Great Early Childhood Education Teacher
Colleges Making Permanent Changes During Covid
College Tips for Moms
Here are several reasons why managing students is often considered an issue in early education:
Developmental considerations: Young children in early education settings are still developing their
social, emotional, and self-regulation skills. They may have limited impulse control and struggle to
express their needs and emotions effectively, leading to disruptive behaviors.
Diverse needs and abilities: Early childhood classrooms typically include children with a wide range of
abilities, backgrounds, and needs. Managing a diverse group of students requires teachers to
differentiate instruction and support individualized learning, which can be challenging.
Transitions and routines: Young children thrive on consistency and routine, but transitions between
activities and changes in the daily schedule can be challenging for them. Managing transitions effectively
requires careful planning and proactive strategies to help children navigate changes smoothly.
Limited attention span: Young children have shorter attention spans compared to older students,
making it challenging to keep them engaged in learning activities for extended periods. Teachers need to
design developmentally appropriate lessons and incorporate hands-on, interactive experiences to
maintain children's interest.
Social dynamics: Early childhood classrooms are environments where children are learning to navigate
social interactions and develop relationships with peers. Managing conflicts, promoting positive peer
relationships, and teaching social-emotional skills are essential aspects of early childhood education.
Language and communication barriers: Some young children may have limited language skills or speak
languages other than the primary language of instruction. Effective communication strategies, including
visual cues and nonverbal communication, are essential for managing student behavior and facilitating
learning.
Supporting self-regulation: Early education is a critical time for children to develop self-regulation skills,
such as impulse control, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Teachers play a crucial role in
supporting children's development in these areas through modeling, coaching, and providing
opportunities for practice.
Family involvement and support: Involving families in their child's education and addressing any
challenges or concerns they may have is essential for effective behavior management in early education.
Collaboration between teachers and families can help ensure consistency between home and school
environments and support children's overall development.
Addressing these challenges requires a deep understanding of child development, effective classroom
management strategies, and ongoing professional development for early childhood educators. By
actively addressing student management issues, early educators can create nurturing and supportive
learning environments where all children can thrive.
ssues in Early Childhood
Education in 2022
December 20, 2022
Since the beginning of organized childcare, providers have faced a number of
issues in early childhood education. Not to mention the onslaught of additional
challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At ChildCare Education Institute, we’ve spent the last 15+ years helping
teachers navigate life in and out of the classroom. As a result, we’ve seen
first-hand the problems facing early childhood education — and we’ve learned
that the first step to addressing these problems is a better awareness of them.
That’s why we’re breaking down the most prominent issues in early childhood
education and how you can best tackle them.
Workplace burnout.
One of the leading problems facing early childhood education is an escalating
rate of teacher burnout. According to a 2022 poll, nearly half of all preschool
teachers admitted to experiencing high levels of stress and burnout over the
past few years.
While some of that stress is inherent to the job, most of the additional burnout
has come from a severe staffing shortage affecting centers and programs
across the country. Since early 2020, 8.4% of the childcare workforce has left
for other professions — which is especially worrying considering many centers
were experiencing staffing problems before the pandemic.
As a result, the teachers that stayed are dealing with longer hours, larger
classrooms, and in some cases, new, mixed-age teaching environments.
For those educators lucky enough to find themselves at fully staffed centers,
there are still a number of new stressors brought about by COVID-19,
including new safety measures, check-in protocols, and more.
What can you do?: If you’re an educator experiencing workplace burnout, our
course Stress Management for Child Care Providers is a great first step
toward learning how to cope with your professional stress. We also
recommend scheduling a regular time to reflect on the positives of each day
and remember what drew you to early childhood education in the first place.
Mental health concerns.
Though mental health has always been one of the prominent issues in early
childhood education, COVID-19 has truly brought it to the forefront. In Virginia
alone, depression among preschool teachers has risen by 15% since the start
of the pandemic. While this would be troubling for any profession, it’s
especially hard for teachers as their mood can directly impact their student’s
ability to learn and comprehend the material. Funding issues in early
childhood education can also lead to a lack of resources for teachers who
want to seek help.
What can you do?: If you’re experiencing any symptoms of declining mental
health, the most important thing to do is seek help. We recommend starting
with this list of 50 resources from [Link].
Lack of resources.
Funding issues in early childhood education are another hurdle many
teachers face. According to a recent study conducted by The Century Fund,
the United States is underfunding public schools by nearly $150 billion
annually. As a result, many childcare providers have to dip into their own
pockets to make up for the small classroom budgets they’re given —
something that’s especially challenging given most teachers are already
underpaid.
What can you do?: While there’s nothing you can do to solve funding issues in
early childhood education overnight, there are a number of scholarship and
grant programs available to help teachers with classroom and professional
development expenses. For more information on the latter, click here.
Low levels of compensation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, early childhood educators earn an
average annual wage of $30,210 in the United States (with the lowest 10%
making just $21,900 per year). When compared to the average public school
teacher’s salary of $65,090, it’s no surprise that compensation is among the
top problems facing early childhood education.
Because the average salary for the profession is so low, most educators are
forced to take on a second job or rely on public income support programs to
make ends meet. These can significantly add to a teacher’s burnout and can
cause stress that spills over into their personal life.
What can you do?: If you’re looking to advocate for higher wages and other
funding issues in early childhood education, there are a number of groups you
can join, including NAEYC. You can also help set yourself apart — and
potentially raise your earning potential — by earning a well-respected
certification, such as your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
Heightened safety concerns.
Another one of the top issues in early childhood education is safety. Since the
start of 2022, there have been more than 300 mass shootings — equating to
roughly four per week. While not all of these shootings have taken place at
schools, enough have left teachers worried about their workplace safety.
In addition to worrying about their own safety while at work, early childhood
educators also often have to worry about the safety of their students. Because
children attending childcare programs can range anywhere from just a few
months to six years of age, there are a number of physical and environmental
dangers present at any given time. Therefore, teachers have to constantly be
on guard, something that can lead to increased levels of stress and fatigue.
What can you do?: One of the best ways to address safety concerns in the
workplace is to feel confident in your abilities to avoid and — in the worst case
— deal with any issues that may arise. Some of our top-rated safety courses
include:
Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning for Natural and Man-
Made Events
Fire Safety in the Early Care and Education Environment
Indoor Safety in the Early Childhood Setting
Outdoor Safety in the Early Childhood Setting
Ever-evolving technologies.
When COVID-19 hit, schools across the country raced to adopt virtual
learning environments that allowed their students to connect and engage
without having to attend in-person sessions. While it proved to be an effective
way to limit the spread of coronavirus, it didn’t come without its own share of
challenges.
For some families, a lack of access to technology meant they were no longer
able to receive the instruction they needed. For others, not being able to have
one-on-one time with educators led to a decline in learning. Finally, despite
the best attempts from schools and video conferencing providers, teachers
and students still fell victim to technology issues, including lack of connectivity,
dropped calls, and more.
As the pandemic waned and in-person learning resumed, many schools opted
to keep hybrid learning as an option for their students. Despite the added
convenience this affords some families, it has also greatly contributed to one
of the top issues in early childhood education: technology.
As technology changes in the classroom, teachers must race to keep up with
it.
The same goes for the technology students interact with.
Teachers today have to decide how to incorporate technology into their
classrooms, what screen time limits to set for their students and how to
navigate a digital landscape that’s different every year.
What can you do?: The best way to combat the ever-changing technology
landscape in early childhood education is to make sure you’re staying up-to-
date on industry recommendations and research. Our The Child’s Digital
Universe: Technology and Digital Media in Early Childhood course is the
perfect place to start.
Lack of parent engagement and communication.
As any teacher can attest to, trying to build an engaged and communicative
parent base is another one of the prominent issues in early childhood
education. Unlike other professions, teachers have to deal with the 20+
personalities in their classroom, as well as the 40+ personalities of those
students’ guardians. Not to mention the frustration that can result from parents
who are never present — or those who are overly present.
Plus, funding issues in early childhood education can often hamper parent-
teacher communication. For example, some programs might not have the
funds available to provide teachers with software that allows them to quickly
send email blasts to all families. As a result, educators may find themselves
having to send important updates via email one family at a time.
What can you do?: While parent-teacher communication will likely always be
one of the problems facing early childhood education, there are things you
can do as a teacher to lessen the effect it has on you and your classroom.
One of those resources is our course Parent Communication: Building
Partners in the Educational Process.
Want to learn more about the top issues in early childhood education and how
to combat them? Our online courses can help!
Declining Mental Helath/Poor mental health
An early childhood educator needs to be their best self in the classroom. This is
not only for their own sake but for the well-being of the kids in their care. The
problem of declining mental health in the ECE field affects little ones, so it’s an
issue everyone should care about. Specifically, when teachers feel stressed or
overwhelmed in their classrooms, their teaching skills suffer, and so does their
ability to manage the classroom.
Long Hours and Few sic leaves
This circumstance in a preschool class can create a stressful situation where
teachers feel compelled to come to school no matter how bad they feel to keep
the peace.
Low pay/ burnout
Despite receiving praise from parents, administrators, and even the community at
large, it’s easy to feel underappreciated when you’re working long hours and still
can’t make ends meet.. That feeling can take hold, making teachers feel as if
their work is meaningless, which can lead to burnout, another of the key
challenges teachers face today.
. Many new teachers feel that the job they were tasked with is simply impossible,
and the pressure is two-fold. They feel pressured by parents and administrators
to perform miracles in the classroom (with few resources). They also put a lot of
pressure on themselves to deliver for the kids in their classrooms. Then there are
the common kindergarten/preschool issues and problems that these children
bring. Sadly, it often comes from issues at home like food insecurity, absent
parents, emotional and behavioral problems, and even abuse. This can make the
mountain becomes too steep for a lot of new teachers to climb, especially when
they feel unsupported.
, early childhood education teachers must be resilient enough to weather the
storms while keeping their passion for guiding little ones burning bright.
