EducationISCO 2342
Early years teacher
Early years teachers instruct students, primarily young children, in basic subjects and creative play with the aim of developing their social and intellectual skills in an informal way in preparation for future formal learning. They create lesson plans, possibly in accordance with a fixed curriculum, for an entire class or smaller groups and test the students on the content. These lesson plans, based on basic subjects, can include the instruction of number, letter, and colour recognition, days of the week, categorisation of animals and transport vehicles etc. Early years teachers also supervise students outside the classroom on school grounds and enforce rules of behaviour there as well.
Check yourself in a minute: early years teacher
Rate 5 of the 28 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
handle children's problems
prepare lesson content
assess the development of youth
monitor children's physical development
manage student relationships
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (28)
social developmentsocial developmentThe learning process of a child through social interaction. Among the various activities that it encompasses, social development supports children in obtaining and fortifying learning skills and havin...learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.kindergarten school procedureskindergarten school proceduresThe inner workings of a kindergarten, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, policies, and regulations.handle children's problemshandle children's problemsPromote the prevention, early detection, and management of children`s problems, focusing on developmental delays and disorders, behavioural problems, functional disabilities, social stresses, mental d...prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.assess the development of youthassess the development of youthEvaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.monitor children's physical developmentmonitor children's physical developmentRecognise and describe the development of children, observing the following criteria: weight, length, and head size, nutritional requirements, renal function, hormonal influences on development, respo...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.support the positiveness of youthssupport the positiveness of youthsHelp children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.implement care programmes for childrenimplement care programmes for childrenPerform activities with children according to their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs by using appropriate tools and equipment that facilitate interaction and learning activities.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.assist children in developing personal skillsassist children in developing personal skillsEncourage and facilitate the development of children's natural curiosity and social and language abilities through creative and social activities such as storytelling, imaginative play, songs, drawing...support children's wellbeingsupport children's wellbeingProvide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.teach kindergarten class contentteach kindergarten class contentInstruct pre-primary students in basic learning principles, in preparation for future formal learning. Teach them the principles of certain basic subjects such as number, letter, and colour recognitio...demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...encourage students to acknowledge their achievementsencourage students to acknowledge their achievementsStimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.
Optional (18) — show
workplace sanitationworkplace sanitationThe importance of a clean, sanitary workspace for example through use of hand disinfectant and sanitizer, in order to minimise infection risk between colleagues or when working with children.assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...common children's diseasescommon children's diseasesThe symptoms, characteristics, and treatment of diseases and disorders that often affect children, such as the measles, chickenpox, asthma, the mumps, and head lice.language teaching methodslanguage teaching methodsThe techniques used to teach students a foreign language, such as audio-lingual, communicative language teaching (CLT), and immersion.special needs educationspecial needs educationThe teaching methods, equipment and settings used to support students with special needs in achieving succes in school or community.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.consult students on learning contentconsult students on learning contentTake students' opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...provide after school careprovide after school careLead, supervise or help with the assistance of indoor and outdoor recreational or educational activities after school or during school holidays.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.promote the safeguarding of young peoplepromote the safeguarding of young peopleUnderstand safeguarding and what should be done in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse.use learning strategiesuse learning strategiesUse different channels of perception, learning styles, strategies and methods to acquire knowledge, know-how, skills and competences.perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.attend to children's basic physical needsattend to children's basic physical needsTend to children by feeding them, dressing them, and, if necessary, regularly changing their diapers in a sanitary manner.provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.organise creative performanceorganise creative performanceOrganise an event in which participants can express their creativity, such as putting on a dance, theatre, or talent show.maintain relations with children's parentsmaintain relations with children's parentsInform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an early years teacher do?
Early years teachers instruct students, primarily young children, in basic subjects and creative play with the aim of developing their social and intellectual skills in an informal way in preparation for future formal learning. They create lesson plans, possibly in accordance with a fixed curriculum, for an entire class or smaller groups and test the students on the content. These lesson plans, based on basic subjects, can include the instruction of number, letter, and colour recognition, days of the week, categorisation of animals and transport vehicles etc. Early years teachers also supervise students outside the classroom on school grounds and enforce rules of behaviour there as well.
What skills does an early years teacher need?
An early years teacher needs 28 essential skills, including social development, learning difficulties, instructional strategies, teamwork principles, curriculum objectives.
Will AI replace early years teacher jobs?
The AI disruption score for early years teacher is 9/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: provide lesson materials, prepare lesson content, curriculum objectives. Most resilient: attend to children's basic physical needs, support children's wellbeing, provide after school care.
AI Replacement Risk
9/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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