Early Years Teacher

Early Years Teachers work with children aged 3–6 years, focusing on foundational learning and holistic development, language, social skills, motor coordination, emotional regulation, and early numeracy/literacy. They guide children in structured play and classroom routines to help them grow cognitively, socially, and emotionally.

What is a typical day as an Early Years Teacher? 

– Planning and delivering age-appropriate lessons and activities  

– Supervising play and learning indoors and outdoors  

– Teaching numbers, letters, shapes, and colors  

– Storytelling, singing, dancing, and interactive games  

– Observing and documenting child development  

– Engaging with parents/guardians on child progress   

What else might they be expected to do? 

– Provide emotional and behavioral support  

– Handle feeding/toilet routines (especially with 3–4-year-olds)  

– Design class displays and organize learning materials  

– Participate in school meetings or training workshops   

What type of training is needed for this career path? 

– Diploma in ECDE – preferred for most Kenyan employers, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education for international education.

– Must be registered with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for formal employment

– Certification in the Montessori style of teaching is an added advantage.

What kind of personality is needed to excel in this career path? 

– Patient and nurturing  

– Energetic and enthusiastic  

– Observant and attentive  

– Good communicator with young children and parents   

What kind of interests do people in this career path have? 

– A genuine love for children and passion for guiding children through growth stages (Helping)  

– Planning routines, activities, schedules (Organising) 

– Understanding child psychology and learning approaches (Thinking)

– Creative approaches to teaching and engaging children (Creating)   

Holland Codes: Organising (C), Helping (S), Thinking (I), Creating (A).  

Are there any innate skills or aptitudes required? 

– Strong emotional intelligence  

– Ability to multitask and manage small groups  

– Creativity and flexibility  

– Conflict resolution and calm temperament  

What challenges can I expect to face if I pursue this career path? 

– Managing emotional outbursts and behavior issues  

– Physical and mental fatigue from demanding routines  

– Limited teaching resources (especially in public centers)  

– Balancing care with structured learning  

What are the job prospects for this path in Kenya and Africa? What about International prospects for a Kenyan citizen? 

– Kenya & Africa: Public ECDE centers (county government level), Private preschools and international early years programs ,NGOs working in child development (e.g., Plan International, UNICEF) and Opportunities in teacher training and community outreach. It must be noted that the teaching profession has one of the highest unemployment rates in Kenya – not because we don’t need teachers, but because the biggest employer – Government, does not allocate enough financial resources to the Education Sector. (Watch Video)

– International: International schools offering EYFS (UK), Montessori, or IB PYP, Job opportunities in UAE, UK, Canada, and Australia with certification and Online pre-primary learning and content development platforms  

What should I focus on if I choose to pursue this career? 

-Child development knowledge  

– Creative lesson planning  

– Patience, empathy, and play-based learning techniques  

– Continuous professional development in CBC or global curricula  

Which other careers or job roles can I progress to? 

– Head of Early Years Department  

– Child Psychologist (with further training)  

– Early Years Special Needs Educator (with further training)

– Edutech Sector as curriculum developer/ online teacher

– YouTube Content Creator like Ms. Rachel