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Infant and toddler teacher vs kindergarten teacher

The differences between infant and toddler teachers and kindergarten teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kindergarten teacher has an average salary of $48,029, which is higher than the $29,606 average annual salary of an infant and toddler teacher.

The top three skills for an infant and toddler teacher include CPR, child care and child development. The most important skills for a kindergarten teacher are classroom management, math, and professional development.

Infant and toddler teacher vs kindergarten teacher overview

Infant And Toddler TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Yearly salary$29,606$48,029
Hourly rate$14.23$23.09
Growth rate15%4%
Number of jobs63,09465,972
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4040
Years of experience2-

What does an infant and toddler teacher do?

An infant and toddler teacher is an individual who aids in the cognitive and social development of preschool children by teaching them the most basic skills that focus on play-centered learning and creativity. Infant and toddler teachers must help children develop positive self-images and encourage them to explore their interests and develop social skills. They must plan and carry out a curriculum that teaches children basic skills such as color, shape, and letter recognition. Infant and toddler teachers must also meet the children's parents to discuss concerns.

What does a kindergarten teacher do?

Kindergarten teachers teach young children social and emotional skills, reading skills, music, and personal hygiene. They prepare these children for elementary school and certain life aspects. It is also their responsibility to teach children good classroom behavior, plan the curriculum daily and the whole school year, and conduct parent-teach meetings. Kindergarten teachers should encourage children to be observant of activities and give them the chance to ask questions and find the answers. They should also work with parents in putting an action plan to help children with emotional or developmental problems.

Infant and toddler teacher vs kindergarten teacher salary

Infant and toddler teachers and kindergarten teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Infant And Toddler TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Average salary$29,606$48,029
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $37,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateVermontHawaii
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyBrooklyn Waldorf School
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between infant and toddler teacher and kindergarten teacher education

There are a few differences between an infant and toddler teacher and a kindergarten teacher in terms of educational background:

Infant And Toddler TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Infant and toddler teacher vs kindergarten teacher demographics

Here are the differences between infant and toddler teachers' and kindergarten teachers' demographics:

Infant And Toddler TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 4.7% Female, 95.3%Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between infant and toddler teacher and kindergarten teacher duties and responsibilities

Infant and toddler teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead team meetings with therapists and clinicians pertaining to quarterlies, annual reports, IEP goals, and parent teacher conferences.
  • Plan and develop curriculum, manage mathematics department.
  • Receive current CPR training as well.
  • Develop and implement individual student's IEP in conjunction with a mental health worker, classroom aide, and clinical team.
  • Complete ongoing documentation for NAEYC accreditation.
  • Develop and publish developmentally appropriate curriculum for infants/toddlers, in accordance with NAEYC guidelines.
  • Show more

Kindergarten teacher example responsibilities.

  • Utilize PLC time to meet the needs of struggling and achieving students
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Present history and math PowerPoint lessons.
  • Serve on data teams to coordinate with ELA, math and RTI specialists to ensure student growth and success.
  • Develop daily literacy and math base learning centers to promote cooperative learning and independent practice.
  • Plan and teach an 1st and 2nd grade ELA unit.
  • Show more

Infant and toddler teacher vs kindergarten teacher skills

Common infant and toddler teacher skills
  • CPR, 23%
  • Child Care, 20%
  • Child Development, 14%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Classroom Environment, 6%
  • Classroom Management, 4%
Common kindergarten teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 27%
  • Math, 14%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Social Studies, 4%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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