Preschool Teacher
A preschool teacher is an early childhood educator who specializes in the developmental and educational needs of children aged three to five. They create curricula that support socio-emotional growth, language development, and essential motor skills, fostering a nurturing and engaging learning environment. Typically, preschool teachers exhibit a diverse skill set that encompasses areas such as arts, literacy, and practical life skills, allowing them to approach teaching from multiple angles.
The job demands a high level of patience, responsibility, and observance, as teachers are involved in planning lessons, interacting with families, and maintaining a safe and supportive classroom. Working environments can vary widely, including private and public preschools, as well as settings within businesses and community organizations. To become a preschool teacher, individuals generally pursue an associate's or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, often acquiring hands-on experience through internships or volunteer opportunities. The profession not only offers a fulfilling career focused on child development but also presents various opportunities for career advancement within educational administration.
Preschool Teacher
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Education & Training, Human Services
Interests: Education, teaching, early childhood development, leading activities, language development, arts and crafts
Earnings (Yearly Median): $37,130 per year $17.85 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Preschool teachers are early childhood professionals who focus on the educational needs of three- to five-year-old children. Preschool teachers plan their teaching curriculum with their students’ socio-emotional development, preliteracy skills, fine and gross motor skills, practical life skills, and language-acquisition needs in mind. Preschool teachers tend to be generalists with knowledge and talents in a wide range of subjects, including drama, natural sciences, child-rearing, music, games, arts and crafts, reading, literacy, and educational theory.
Work Environment. Preschool teachers work in early childhood classrooms arranged primarily to meet the social and educational needs of young children. In the preschool environment, furniture tends to be low to the ground, and preschool teachers must be sufficiently physically fit to carry children when needed, squat, bend, and sit on the floor. The amounts of preschool classroom resources, such as art supplies, music lessons, field trips, and assistant teachers, differ depending on the school’s financial resources and the educational philosophy directing the curriculum. Preschools may be private or public and may be part of an elementary school or may be an independent entity with no higher grades. Preschools are also found in businesses, high schools, colleges, social service agencies, and religious organizations.
Occupation Interest. The profession of preschool teacher attracts individuals who are responsible, responsive, patient, observant, playful, and caring. Preschool teachers nurture children in the years between infancy and elementary school age, so they should enjoy spending long hours with young children. Preschool teachers should excel at long-term scheduling, planning, problem-solving, and social interaction.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A preschool teacher’s daily duties and responsibilities include planning, teaching, classroom preparation and cleanup, student care, family outreach, school duties, and professional development. Preschool teachers plan and teach lessons, research, buy or secure donations for project supplies, and lead activities that improve student vocabulary, mathematical thinking, early literacy, nature awareness, and motor skills. Classroom preparation and cleaning duties may include labeling materials, organizing work areas such as the art area or reading area, emptying student cubbies, preparing food for students, setting up daily projects, and cleaning and sanitizing at the end of the day. Preschool teachers provide student care by greeting students in the morning, calming fears and separation anxiety, promoting a supportive and nurturing classroom environment, maintaining safety and health, providing consistent discipline, preventing conflict, and building students’ relationship and cooperation skills. Family outreach includes greeting families at school drop-off and dismissal times as well as regularly communicating with families about their student’s successes and challenges.
Preschool teachers must attend school functions such as staff meetings and open houses for prospective families. Their professional development duties include attendance at professional meetings, continued training, and ongoing and up-to-date licensure and certification.
Preschool teachers must work on a daily basis to meet the needs of students, families, fellow teachers, and school administrators.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. A preschool teacher’s immediate physical environment is the preschool classroom. Preschool teachers tend to have a significant amount of autonomy in deciding the classroom layout and curriculum, particularly in private school settings. Preschool teachers generally work forty-hour weeks and often follow an annual academic schedule with ample winter, spring, and summer vacations. Part-time schedules are also widely available. Summer teaching opportunities in preschools and summer camps are common.
Human Environment. Preschool teachers are in constant contact with young children, students’ families, fellow teachers, administrators, and preschool workers. Preschool teachers may have students with physical and mental disabilities as well as students who are English language learners (ELL). Preschool teachers must be comfortable working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and able to incorporate lessons on diversity into their teaching. Given the demands of the job and laws governing student to teacher ratios, preschool teachers should anticipate working in a teaching team.
Technological Environment. Preschool classrooms often include computers and tablets for student use. Preschool teachers should be comfortable using Internet communication tools and teaching children to use educational software and games.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in becoming preschool teachers should develop good study habits and take courses in psychology, education, child development, physical education, and the arts. Proficiency in another language, such as Spanish, may also help future preschool teachers who may have bilingual children in their classrooms. Internships or part-time work with children and teachers at camps, after school programs, preschools, or childcare centers are helpful to those interested in the field of early childhood education.
Postsecondary. College students interested in the field of early childhood education should consider enrolling in a degree program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Prospective preschool teachers should earn either an associate's degree in early childhood education or a bachelor's degree in education and obtain initial teaching certification as part of their undergraduate education program. They should complete coursework in psychology, education, child development, physical education, and the arts. Prior to graduation, students intent on becoming preschool teachers should gain experience, through an internship, volunteer experience, or part-time work, teaching preschool-age children, and they should explore requirements for their individual state teaching certification. Preschool teachers who wish to advance to become program administrators need a bachelor's degree and must complete coursework in administration as well as child development and early childhood education.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Accreditation." NAEYC, www.naeyc.org/accreditation. Accessed 26 Sept. 2016.
"CDA and NAEYC." Council for Professional Recognition, www.cdacouncil.org/about/cda-credential/cda-and-naeyc. Accessed 26 Sept. 2016.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 25-2011 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252011.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.
"Preschool Teachers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.
Teaching Our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool Teachers and Child Care and Family Providers. US Department of Education, Mar. 2002, eric.ed.gov/?id=ED461437. Accessed 26 Sept. 2016.