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Child development teacher vs lead teacher

The differences between child development teachers and lead teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a child development teacher and a lead teacher. Additionally, a lead teacher has an average salary of $33,652, which is higher than the $33,367 average annual salary of a child development teacher.

The top three skills for a child development teacher include CPR, child care and professional development. The most important skills for a lead teacher are CPR, customer service, and child care.

Child development teacher vs lead teacher overview

Child Development TeacherLead Teacher
Yearly salary$33,367$33,652
Hourly rate$16.04$16.18
Growth rate15%5%
Number of jobs122,28256,131
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4043
Years of experience22

What does a child development teacher do?

Also called childcare teachers, child development teachers take responsibility for encouraging creativity in young students. Child development teachers establish a strong education through formal teaching and playtime. These teachers design and follow scheduled activities and discover appropriate teaching material. They balance their teaching between social and logical exercises. Media, drawing, outdoor or indoor games, and stories are the teaching methods they use to strengthen their children's abilities. Also, they comply with the safety regulations and teaching standards established by officials.

What does a lead teacher do?

The Lead Teacher works with parents to resolve student issues and train new teachers on effective teaching techniques. A Lead Teacher is a licensed teacher with extensive teaching experience and preferably has a master's in education or related studies. They are an integral part of a school's faculty and the principal's arm in drafting policies for implementation.

Child development teacher vs lead teacher salary

Child development teachers and lead teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Child Development TeacherLead Teacher
Average salary$33,367$33,652
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $46,000Between $22,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMarylandCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleSuccess Preparatory Academy
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between child development teacher and lead teacher education

There are a few differences between a child development teacher and a lead teacher in terms of educational background:

Child Development TeacherLead Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorHuman DevelopmentEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSan Diego State University

Child development teacher vs lead teacher demographics

Here are the differences between child development teachers' and lead teachers' demographics:

Child Development TeacherLead Teacher
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 8.9% Female, 91.1%Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage5%12%

Differences between child development teacher and lead teacher duties and responsibilities

Child development teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and develop curriculum, manage mathematics department.
  • Lead teacher of pre-K children.
  • Complete DRDP's and conduct parent conferences.
  • Create a syllabus, exams, and assignments.
  • Adapt CDA curriculum to meet the needs of the students.
  • Assist children with homework encompassing language, science, math, and art activities.
  • Show more

Lead teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and implement theme and project-base lessons that incorporate math, literacy, science, physical development, and social/emotional skills.
  • Cultivate and foster safe and effective learning environment conducive for Pre-K students.
  • Model positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.
  • Develop lesson plans on a bi-weekly basis that comply with early childhood standards and relate to the weekly theme.
  • Require CPR certification and ongoing continuing education.
  • Develop programs that introduce math and literacy concepts.
  • Show more

Child development teacher vs lead teacher skills

Common child development teacher skills
  • CPR, 30%
  • Child Care, 20%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Learning Environment, 5%
  • Learning Styles, 4%
  • CDC, 4%
Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%

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