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Lead teacher vs early childhood teacher

The differences between lead teachers and early childhood 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 lead teacher and an early childhood teacher. Additionally, a lead teacher has an average salary of $33,652, which is higher than the $33,205 average annual salary of an early childhood teacher.

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

Lead teacher vs early childhood teacher overview

Lead TeacherEarly Childhood Teacher
Yearly salary$33,652$33,205
Hourly rate$16.18$15.96
Growth rate5%15%
Number of jobs56,13156,821
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4340
Years of experience22

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.

What does an early childhood teacher do?

An early childhood teacher specializes in handling and teaching young learners as they prepare for their formal schooling stage. Their responsibilities revolve around addressing and meeting the needs of students, organizing recreational activities for learning processes, and devising strategies to help the learners with their interpersonal and emotional growth. Furthermore, as an early childhood teacher, it is essential to monitor the children's progress and provide updates to their parents, all while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.

Lead teacher vs early childhood teacher salary

Lead teachers and early childhood teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead TeacherEarly Childhood Teacher
Average salary$33,652$33,205
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $22,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyGovernors State University
Best paying industry--

Differences between lead teacher and early childhood teacher education

There are a few differences between a lead teacher and an early childhood teacher in terms of educational background:

Lead TeacherEarly Childhood Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityNorthwestern University

Lead teacher vs early childhood teacher demographics

Here are the differences between lead teachers' and early childhood teachers' demographics:

Lead TeacherEarly Childhood Teacher
Average age4340
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 7.6% Female, 92.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 5.4% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage12%5%

Differences between lead teacher and early childhood teacher duties and responsibilities

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.
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Early childhood teacher example responsibilities.

  • Design and apply activities to help children in achieving their goals and objectives in accordance with IFSP 's
  • Co-developed activities and art projects for development -ensure developmental milestones and on-track development for infants moving into the toddler room
  • Receive proficient training to become CPR certify.
  • Evaluate children's progress in meeting UPK standards.
  • Screen topics, compose PowerPoint presentations, and prepare teaching materials.
  • Implement the Montessori and UPK curriculum in children's daily activities.
  • Show more

Lead teacher vs early childhood teacher skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common early childhood teacher skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Classroom Environment, 7%
  • Classroom Management, 5%
  • ECE, 4%

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