Updated December 2022

What's your role as an early childhood educator? Exactly how big an impact will you have on young children's lives?

Probably far greater than you can imagine, especially if you're just starting out and don't know much about the field.

The truth is, preschool and daycare teachers play a huge part in how kids develop—socially, academically, even physically and emotionally.

They literally change lives and shape futures. As parents, and as a society, we place a huge trust in early childhood educators (ECEs) to help grow the next generation of learners and citizens.

Exactly what goes into this process? How do ECEs prepare babies and toddlers for the next stage of their life journey?