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5 steps · MA
Daycare Teacher (EEC Teacher)
Year-round classroom work as an EEC-certified Teacher — Infant-Toddler or Preschool.
Pay range
Typically $17–$22/hr starting in MA, with benefits, PTO, and often free or reduced child care.
Age requirement
Must be 18+ (or 15+ with a high school diploma/GED if under 21).
What this job is
The honest version
This is your first real career rung. You're an EEC-certified Teacher in a licensed center, working a steady schedule with benefits, helping run a classroom of 7–20 kids depending on the age group. EEC issues the Teacher cert in two tracks — Infant-Toddler (birth through 33 months) and Preschool (33 months through kindergarten) — and you can hold both. The entry path is more accessible than people think.
Is this you?
You'll fit if…
- You like routines and structure
- You can repeat yourself 30 times without losing it
- You can communicate calmly with parents at pickup
- You're okay being on your feet, on the floor, and getting messy
What you'll do
Core skills
- Following a daily schedule
- Basic child development (what 2-year-olds vs 4-year-olds can do)
- Diapering, feeding, naptime
- Documenting incidents and milestones
- Talking with parents about hard topics (biting, accidents, behavior)
What you'll need
Required certifications
Stand out
Things that give you a leg up
- Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education
- Bilingual — many MA centers serve immigrant families
- Experience with kids with IEPs or special needs
- Strong references from camp or babysitting
Take a step
Learn more
- Apply to be an Assistant Teacher (lower bar) at 3 EEC-licensed centers near you — assistant hours count toward your 9 months
- Sign up for one Child Growth & Development class at your local community college
- Create your PQR account today — it's free, and you'll need it on day one
- Visit one center for a tour — most will let you shadow a classroom for an hour
Heads up
Real talk before you commit
- You don't need a Bachelor's. You don't need to already be a teacher elsewhere.
- Your 9 months of experience must match the age group you're certifying for — Infant-Toddler hours don't count toward Preschool, and vice versa.
- Pay is real but starts modest. Centers with better pay usually want a CDA or AA.
- Burnout is real. Pick a center with a supportive director.