Hi all,
I was looking into the early care & education program at my college.
I decided that I would one day like to work with children. But, it seems that an aas degree in Early Care & Education leans more towards working in a daycare. (My friend is a toddler teacher,and she got the job with out a degree).
I don’t necessarily see myself doing just daycare, in fact I think I would even prefer older children ages 5-8. Also, instead of having a classroom full of toddlers, I think I would prefer instead working with children perhaps small groups, therapy, early intervention programs, one on one, counseling or able to work in a school setting, even if it’s as an administrator. I suppose my question is if I were to get a early care & education degree, would that just limit my opportunities to strictly day care/pre-k or can I do other things with such aas degree or even a bachelors.
To work as a teacher in an elementary school, you will need a bachelor’s degree (and possibly a master’s degree, depending on your state and school district). If you get an associates degree only, you will be limited to working at a daycare or preschool, or perhaps as a teacher’s aide in an elementary school. Your best choice for working one on one with children is to get a bachelor’s degree in special education, ideally a dual degree in elementary/special education. You could then work either at an elementary school or for an intermediate unit.
I agree with the above poster. I will just add I know someone with an AAS degree in early childhood who worked in daycare. She went on to get her administration license to be a director. Maybe this interests you? Just a thought. Good luck!
Thank you for all responses! 
I did notice you can do child care director, but don’t think that’s the path I want to take. I decided to choose Human Services instead, and see what may be my options as far as working with youth through there. I spoke with a coordinator at the Early Intervention program at my state she said it was possible to work there with human services degree as well, so hopefully!
Just check with your state school and see if your courses will transfer towards a bachelors degree. It’s really the minimum for any reasonable wages in education or government. Also, if you decide to go into a therapy field those are master or doctorate degrees. Occupational therapy can have any bachelors so long as you take the prerequisites.