Early years special educational needs teacher
Also known as: early years SEN teacher, teacher in early years SEN, early years teacher in special educational needs, early childhood special educational needs teacher, nursery special educational needs teacher, teacher in early years special educational needs
About this occupation
Early years special educational needs teachers provide specially-designed instruction to students with a variety of disabilities on a kindergarten level and ensure they reach their learning potential. Some early years special educational needs teachers work with children who have mild to moderate disabilities, implementing a modified curriculum to fit each student's specific needs. Other early years special educational needs teachers assist and instruct students with intellectual disabilities and autism, focusing on teaching them basic literacy and life skills. All teachers assess the students' progress, taking into account their strengths and weaknesses, and communicate their findings to parents, counselors, administrators and other parties involved.
A specialisation of special educational needs teacher.
Essential skills and knowledge
- maintain students' discipline
- assist students in their learning
- learning needs analysis
- demonstrate when teaching
- disability care
- provide specialised instruction for special needs students
- teach kindergarten class content
- prepare lesson content
- assist in children's development of basic personal skills
- manage children's problems
- perform classroom management
- maintain relations with children's parents
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (O*NET 25-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Artistic, Conventional
Top skills: Speaking, Instructing, Active Listening, Learning Strategies, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$38,140 a year (2025), 478,780 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Special Education Teachers, Preschool
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
- Childcare Workers
- Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.