Qualities of a Good Early Childhood Education Teacher

Great early childhood education (ECE) teachers do more than supervise children. They help young kids learn how to communicate, cooperate, manage emotions, and feel safe enough to explore. They also build trust with families and create a classroom culture that shapes a child’s attitude toward learning.

In simple terms, a great ECE teacher is a steady adult who can lead, care, and teach at the same time.

About Early Childhood Education

By a child’s third birthday, many children can throw a ball, feed themselves, and ride a tricycle. It’s easy to take those milestones for granted. But every one of those “simple” abilities comes from patient teaching, repetition, encouragement, and the right environment.

Early childhood education (ECE) covers learning and development from birth through the early primary years. ECE teachers support language growth, social skills, emotional regulation, curiosity, and independence. It’s also a career people pursue because the work is deeply rewarding. That’s one reason it remains a sought after career.

“I have been teaching early childhood [education] for over 40 years, and without sounding too corny, I have the best job in the world,” says New York City ECE teacher Janet Miserandino.

Putting aside the excitement in that response, the job matters because early years shape so much of what comes later. ECE educators help children build the social and emotional foundations they need to succeed in school and in life.

But with great reward comes great responsibility.

We caught up with a handful of current ECE teachers to talk about the field and what it takes to become a great ECE educator. Here’s what they said.

1. Working in ECE is About Leadership

Howard University professor Oliver McGee believes early childhood education is about leadership. “I believe elementary and secondary school teaching is a national service of leadership, governance and stewardship,” he says.

In an early childhood setting, leadership is not about being strict. It is about setting direction and creating calm. Children watch how adults speak, how they respond to problems, and how they treat people.

Think about teachers you’ve had in the past. The ones you remember often helped lead you through challenges and quietly raised your expectations of yourself. In early childhood, that leadership shows up in small moments, routines, and consistency.

“Leadership in teaching honors kids, showing them the way through virtuous values,” McGee says.

2. Working in ECE is About Passion

Rasmussen College School of Education coordinator Ann Caitlin feels the most important characteristic for future ECE teachers is passion. “A person should pursue a career in early childhood education if he or she has a passion for supporting the success of children and families as well as a true desire to advocate for those who do not have a voice,” she says.

Thirty percent of young teachers leave within the first five years of starting out their careers, according to findings from the National Commission on Teaching America’s Future. The reasons given for attrition include budget cuts, lack of structure in the workplace and the test-crazed education culture.

Workplaces vary, but every workplace has challenges. To push through the difficult days, you have to be passionate about what you do. In early childhood, that passion helps you stay patient and consistent when the work becomes demanding.

3. More Males Needed in ECE

While the presence of men in early childhood programs has received attention over the years, the field of ECE is still traditionally female-dominated. Men make up less than 10 percent. Some educators worry that fewer male teachers reduces the range of role models available to young children.

“There is a desperate need for more male teachers,” says Brad Hines, founder of TeachBoys.org. “The younger age bracket you go, fewer men are teaching. [That age of student] is often when it is extremely important for there to be a male figure in the classroom.”

A more balanced workforce helps children see that care, patience, and teaching are not gendered traits.

4. Working in ECE is a Gift

Gifts come and go but teachers are the types of gifts that leave a lasting impression. In early childhood, that impact often shows up years later. Children may not remember specific lessons, but they remember how they felt in the room.

But it’s not one-way. Teachers influence children, and children influence teachers too. Moments of growth, trust, and progress leave their mark on educators as well.

“[Teaching] is an opportunity to impact a child’s life in a positive way,” says Dawn Richards, pre-K teacher at Imagine Schools West Gilbert in Phoenix (Ariz.). “You are their home away from home. They are recognized as little individuals in a loving environment.”

Not everyone is meant to teach. But if you’re seriously considering this path, it helps to reflect on your strengths and temperament.

The Next Steps

Hopefully these current ECE teachers have given you a clearer picture of the profession. A lot is expected, but a lot is also gained.

If you’re not yet qualified to jump into teaching but are interested in one day becoming a leader and positive influence for young children, be sure to check out early childhood resources to learn more about the field.

You may also want to read another article comparing ECE vs. elementary education.