Any preschool teachers?

[bekkiz]

I'm thinking of making a "career" change, and am most serously looking into working at a preschool/pre-kindergarten.

Some background, I have my middle/high school teaching credential and MA in education, but have worked with kids from 6 to 18 in various ways (coaching, teaching and summer camp) for a long time. Believe it or not, it's a really competitive job seeking envirornment for high school history teachers (and I'm a little picky), and I'm not sure I can wait another year to find a teaching job.

Preschool seems like a good match. The hours fit well with my other interests (coaching), the money is luckily not a huge issue and I think this would be a good way to spend lots of time with kids, which is really my first love.

I would have to take 4 classes in the fall in "early childhood education," so I couldn't start work until January (although, my MIL/FIL want to take us to WDW in January, so maybe start in Feb!). That's kind of a drag, because I really thought I was done with school, but that's life

So anyone with experiance, I'd love to hear your thoughts. How many hours did you work, was it fun/interesting/tiring/super hard? thank you so much!

 

[CBRorBust]

Well...

I think that Pre-K teachers have been born with that certain bone in their body. I'm majoring in EC-4th as we speak, but I know I would not be happy in a Pre-K class. I love the older kids! Love Love Love them! But if you were to place me in a Pre-K class, it would not be a good thing.

Why not call a school and just ask them if you can observe for an hour or 2 before you sign up for the classes.

 

[bananiem]

I think one of the first surprises for me was that kids that age don't tell you before the barf and there's no janitor to call to magically sweep it up for you.
Other than that I would still prefer to spend my day with a bunch of kids under the age of 8 than with adults.
I agree with going to several preschools and childcare centers that run a preschool program. Although you have experience with kids as young as 6 there's a big difference between a 6 year old and a 3-5 year old.
I worked at a childcare center that had a preschool program. Most of our kids stayed full day but some were only mornings or every other day. In our case it was so much more than art, story time and snack. We taught kids to blow their noses, tie shoes, wipe their bottoms ( yes, even 5 year olds), use a napkin and hold a fork correctly, etc. along with the kidnergarten readiness stuff. It can be really tiring but I loved it! There's never a dull moment!

 

[mommytotwo]

I used to be an asst. preschool teacher and there is alot that you have to do for the kids at that age, cause they are not able to do it on their own or they don't know that they are not to do it in the first place.
Since money is not a huge factor, that is a big plus cause you don't get paid what you deserve working as a teacher especially in early childhood-preschool and daycares. I found myself spending alot of my own money and items from home since the preschool didn't provide many of the things that we needed, and also had taken home cirriculum that needed to get finished up-and this is for preschool.
I had worked five days a week, and our schedule had changed, so I could be at work before six and the lastest I would be there till would be till after six or until the last child left and we could close up.
It's fun to play with the kids and rewarding when you actually see them achieving things, but the downside would be the pay and having to deal with certain parents. Every child has their own situation at home, but you need to be aware of their family life and how things are. You will always come across that parent that wants things their way and they keep a close eye on you for no apparent reason.
I would suggest to you that if possible, volunteer at a preschool for a month or so to get a feel of how it would be like, and try working with the different age groups to see which group would fit you best.