How to Become a Preschool Teacher in Minnesota in 2026

There simply aren’t enough early educators to meet the growing demand. There are roughly 39,600 early childhood educators in Minnesota caring for and teaching children before kindergarten. And that’s a big deal in a state with over 400,000 kids under age 5.

Minnesota continues investing in early learning initiatives. It includes expanded public prekindergarten and early childhood scholarship programs supported by the Minnesota Department of Education.

All of this is why becoming a preschool teacher in Minnesota in 2026 looks a little different than it did even five years ago. There’s more opportunity and more urgency.

Below, readers will find a practical breakdown of how to become a preschool teacher in Minnesota, including:

Education requirements
Credentials
Licensing pathways
Salary expectations
The Minnesota job market

Related:

What Does a Preschool Teacher Do in Minnesota?

At a basic level, preschool teachers work with children ages 3 to 5 to develop foundational skills before kindergarten. But daily responsibilities vary depending on the setting.

Public School Pre-K Programs

In public school districts, preschool teachers are typically licensed educators.

Design lesson plans aligned with Minnesota’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress
Assess developmental growth
Work closely with families and kindergarten teachers

Documentation and assessment play a larger role in these classrooms. Teachers often track literacy readiness, early math skills, language development, and social-emotional growth.

Licensed Child Care Centers

In DHS-regulated child care centers, preschool teachers focus heavily on play-based learning.

Create structured activities that build early reading, number recognition, and reasoning skills.
Observe compliance with state-required child-to-teacher ratios, health standards, and annual training hours.

Head Start and Community-Based Programs

Head Start programs combine early education with family support services. Teachers may collaborate with health coordinators, nutrition staff, and family advocates. The classroom role blends instruction with wider support for child development.

Minnesota Preschool Teacher Requirements (2026 Overview)

In Minnesota, becoming a preschool teacher depends largely on where you plan to work, and the rules are tightening for school-based programs.

Oversight is divided between two agencies:

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), which oversees public school early childhood programs
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), which regulates licensed child care centers and family child care

Important Note: Minnesota preschool teacher requirements are moving toward full licensure for all school-based early childhood teachers.

Starting July 1, 2028, all school districts and charter school early childhood and pre-K teachers must hold a valid Minnesota teaching license.

Qualifying licenses include:

180150 Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 3)
180105 Preprimary (Age 3–Pre-K)
Certain legacy or previously approved early childhood licenses

These licenses are issued through the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).

Education Requirements for Preschool Teachers in Minnesota

Minimum Education Levels

Some junior positions in licensed centers require only a high school diploma and specific early childhood training hours. However, advancement often requires additional credentials.

Many lead teacher roles require any of the following:

CDA credential
Associate degree in Early Childhood Education
Bachelor’s degree, particularly in public pre-K settings

Public school districts almost always require a bachelor’s degree plus licensure.

Early Childhood Education Degree Options in Minnesota

Early childhood education Minnesota programs typically include coursework in:

Child growth and development
Early literacy and math instruction
Curriculum planning
Classroom management
Observation and assessment
Family engagement

Field experience is a major component. Most programs require supervised practicum hours in licensed early childhood settings.

Alternative Pathways for Career Changers

Minnesota has made it easier for adults entering education later in life.

Career changers may:

Transfer prior college credits.
Enroll in post-baccalaureate licensure programs.
Stack certificates toward an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Advance internally within child care centers.

Someone who already holds a bachelor’s degree in another field can complete an approved preschool teacher certification in Minnesota to pursue early childhood licensure.

Preschool Teacher Certification and Credentials in Minnesota

CDA and Entry-Level Credentials

The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a common starting point. It qualifies educators for assistant and some lead roles in licensed centers.

However, CDA-only pathways may limit salary growth and public school opportunities.

Minnesota Teaching License (Birth–Grade 3 or Pre-K)

Here’s how to become a preschool teacher in Minnesota with a full license.

Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Complete a PELSB-approved teacher preparation program.
Demonstrate competence in Minnesota’s teaching standards.
Complete required field experience, often including 100+ hours before student teaching.
Complete student teaching successfully.
Pass required content and pedagogy exams.
Complete a criminal background check.

This pathway leads to a full professional license that can cover early childhood through elementary grades, depending on the credential earned.

Minnesota uses a four-tier licensure structure that allows some flexibility while educators complete requirements:

Tier 1: Entry-level license for individuals who have a degree and a job offer but haven’t completed a full preparation program
Tier 2: Mid-level license while completing the remaining coursework or exams
Tier 3 and Tier 4: Full professional licensure after meeting all preparation and testing standards

This system helps districts address shortages while still encouraging educators to move toward full qualification.

Professional Development and Renewal Requirements

The Minnesota child care licensing requirements also state that educators are required to pursue professional development.

Child care educators must complete:

Annual in-service training
Ongoing health and safety coursework
Required compliance documentation

Child Care Licensing, Background Checks, and Safety Training

Anyone working in licensed child care must meet DHS standards.

Requirements include:

Comprehensive background study
First aid and CPR certification
Training in child development and behavior guidance
SUID (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death) training
Abusive Head Trauma prevention training

How Long Does It Take to Become a Preschool Teacher in Minnesota?

The timeline depends on the chosen pathway.

CDA Pathway: 6–12 months. Fast entry into the workforce, but limited advancement potential.
Associate Degree: About 2 years. Opens more lead teacher roles.
Bachelor’s Degree + Licensure: 4 years (or 1–2 additional years if already holding a bachelor’s). Required for public pre-K.

The quickest path is not always the best for long-term pay. Many educators begin with an associate degree and later return to earn a Minnesota early childhood education degree at the bachelor’s level.

Preschool Teacher Salary in Minnesota (2026 Outlook)

Average Salary Ranges

The range of Minnesota preschool teacher salary may vary:

Entry-level preschool teachers: $34,000–$38,000 per year (about $16–$18 per hour), depending on location and setting.
Experienced and lead teachers: $40,000–$45,000+ annually, with higher pay in metro areas or larger programs.
Public pre-K vs. private child care settings: Public school–based preschool roles generally offer higher salaries and stronger benefits than many private child care centers. Head Start and district pre-K programs often fall in the upper end of the range.

Factors That Affect Salary

Education level
Licensure status
Years of experience
Employer type
Geographic location

Teachers in the Twin Cities metro area often earn higher wages than those in Greater Minnesota, although rural districts may offer hiring incentives.

Job Outlook for Preschool Teachers in Minnesota

Preschool teachers and child care workers are in high demand across Minnesota. By 2026, the state will need to fill around 44,000 preschool teacher jobs in Minnesota to keep up with retirements and turnover, creating plenty of opportunities for new educators.

Programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten and School Readiness are expanding classroom availability, adding to the demand. Both metro districts and rural communities report ongoing recruitment challenges, so qualified teachers are likely to find strong job prospects throughout the state.

Overall, the early childhood workforce is growing, and Minnesota continues to invest in programs that provide steady openings and meaningful careers for preschool educators.

Where Preschool Teachers Work in Minnesota

An early childhood teacher in Minnesota in 2026 may work in:

Public school districts
Licensed child care centers
Head Start programs
Nonprofit early learning organizations
Faith-based early education programs

Minnesota uses a “mixed-delivery” model, meaning state funding supports both public schools and community-based providers.

Steps to Become a Preschool Teacher in Minnesota (Quick Checklist)

Here’s how to become a preschool teacher in Minnesota:

Meet minimum education requirements.
Complete an ECE degree or CDA program.
Earn the required credentials or teaching license.
Pass background checks and safety training.
Apply for preschool teaching positions.

Is Becoming a Preschool Teacher in Minnesota Worth It?

For many educators, the answer is yes, but meeting preschool teacher education requirements in Minnesota does take effort.

Benefits

Meaningful influence on children’s development
Strong and consistent job demand
Multiple entry pathways
Advancement opportunities

Challenges

Physically active workdays
Emotional demands
Licensing and training requirements
Salary differences between settings

Conclusion

In 2026, Minnesota is still investing in early childhood education, and qualified preschool teachers are needed.

There isn’t just one pathway into the field. Some educators start with a CDA. Others earn associate degrees. Many pursue full licensure and work in public school pre-K programs.

Prospective teachers should do the following:

Compare Early Childhood Education degree programs,
Review credential requirements through the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board,
Choose a pathway aligned with long-term career goals.