The Early Childhood Education program prepares you for two main paths. You can work with babies and toddlers in their homes, or you can get your teaching license to teach kids in preschool through 3rd grade.
Here are five careers that you can consider:
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (PreK-3rd Grade)
As a Special Education teacher, you work in a classroom with children who have physical, mental, or learning needs. Much of your day is spent teaching students in small groups or working one-on-one.
While watching how children act and learn, you set clear skill targets for them to reach. Then, you bring parents and experts to make sure the child has what they need.
What You Will Do:
- Design a personal plan.
- Track every small win.
- Use fun, tactile tools.
- Change lessons for everyone.
- Lead your support team.
- Keep families in the loop.
Early Interventionist (Birth to Age 3)
Work with the youngest learners before they start school. Instead of a classroom, you visit families in their homes to help babies and toddlers who need extra support.
Teach parents how to use daily moments like play or mealtime to help their child. These small steps help children reach big milestones.
What You Will Do:
- Visit families at home.
- Create custom growth plans.
- Coach parents through play.
- Help toddlers reach milestones.
- Track every child's progress.
- Help kids start school.
Integrated Teacher (Kindergarten through Grade 3)
As an integrated teacher, you care for and lead children in the early years of elementary school. You make learning fun by using games, stories, and music to teach big lessons.
Help kids build social skills and a love for learning. You do this through activities like reading out loud or playing rhyming games.
What You Will Do:
- Build a welcoming classroom.
- Include every single student.
- Teach math through play.
- Personalize every reading lesson.
- Reward good, kind behavior.
- Partner closely with parents.
Head Start Leader and School Leader
In this role, you’re the leader of a preschool or childcare center. You make sure the school supports children with special needs.
You are the one who coaches teachers, manages the budget, and makes sure the school is a safe, happy place for families.
This is a great path if you like being a leader. You will make sure every part of the school helps children succeed.
What You Will Do:
- Follow high safety standards.
- Include children with needs.
- Coach and mentor teachers.
- Improve lessons with data.
- Manage the school budget.
- Connect families with help.
Behavior and Autism Specialist
In this role, you work closely with children who struggle with how to act in a classroom. You help children understand and regulate their feelings.
You teach them new, helpful ways to show what they need—like using a sign, a picture, or a calm word.
What You Will Do:
- Teach kids new skills.
- Use rewards for success.
- Track behavior with data.
- Adjust plans using facts.
- Train families at home.
- Work with expert teams.
Sources
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare – About The Infant Toddler Program
Behavior Analyst Certification Board – Behavior Analyst Certification Board
BYU-Idaho – BYU-Idaho Academic Catalog
Brigham Young University-Idaho – Child Development Labs
Division for Early Childhood – Division for Early Childhood - Your Professional Home
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center – Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
National Association for the Education of Young Children – Early Childhood Program Standards
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Brigham Young University-Idaho – Elementary, Early, and Special Education
Child Mind Institute – Executive Functioning Resources for Kids
All Education Schools – Idaho Teacher Certification Guide: All Education Schools
Head Start – Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) Tips
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
Structural Learning – Learning Through Play: A Teacher's Guide
Brigham Young University-Idaho – Partner Schools Districts
Brigham Young University-Idaho – Practicums
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Preschool Teachers
PreschoolTeacher.org – Requirements for Early Childhood Education Jobs in Idaho
Structural Learning – Scaffolding in Education: A Teacher's Guide (2026)
Idaho Department of Education – Special Education
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Special Education Teachers
Salary.com – Special Education Teacher Salary in Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho – Welcome to Early Childhood Special Education
ChildCareEd – Why Every Educator Needs Trauma-Informed Care Training in 2025