How to hire a lead pre-kindergarten teacher

How to hire a lead pre-kindergarten teacher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead pre-kindergarten teacher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lead pre-kindergarten teacher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead pre-kindergarten teacher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your lead pre-kindergarten teacher job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a lead pre-kindergarten teacher for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A lead pre-kindergarten teacher's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead pre-kindergarten teachers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of lead pre-kindergarten teacher salaries for various roles:

   Type of Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher	Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten. They teach reading, writing, science, and other subjects in a way that young children can understand.	$9-24
   Early Childhood Special Educator	Early childhood special educators are professionals who provide direct services for infants and young children that are experiencing delays in their development. These educators are required to collaborate with parents to provide a program of activities that can encourage the growth of the children's skills... Show more	$11-27
   Floater	A floater is a person who has no definite position in an organization and usually serves as a substitute for a team member who is away. Floaters ideally must have comprehensive knowledge with the general operations of an organization, especially on filling in a task as told by management even under minimal supervision... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Classroom Management
   • Language Arts
   • CPR
   • Child Development
   • Professional Development
   • Pre-K
   • Math
   • Open Communication
   • Mathematics
   • Parent-Teacher Conferences
   • Classroom Environment
   • Emotional Development
   • Teacher Assistants
   • Learning Environment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead and co-taught in a NAEYC accredit private school.
   • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
   • Follow NAEYC standards to create the best environment for children.
   • Work with children with IEP's and collect and chart data reflecting progress.
   • Work closely with young children to strengthen their skills in reading, writing, mathematics and fine motor development.
   • Develop and implement weekly lesson plans to teach literacy, mathematics, science, arts, and motor concepts.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead pre-kindergarten teacher job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A lead pre-kindergarten teacher can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, lead pre-kindergarten teachers' average salary in alabama is 58% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead pre-kindergarten teachers 61% less than senior-level lead pre-kindergarten teachers.
   • Certifications. A lead pre-kindergarten teacher with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a lead pre-kindergarten teacher's salary.

   Average lead pre-kindergarten teacher salary

   $15.76hourly

   $32,779 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level lead pre-kindergarten teacher salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a lead pre-kindergarten teacher job description

   A lead pre-kindergarten teacher job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a lead pre-kindergarten teacher job description:

   Lead pre-kindergarten teacher job description example

   This posting creates a pool of candidates for future positions that may become available.
   
   Title
   
   Title Code
   
   Teacher-Pre-Kindergarten
   
   C21883
   
   Division/Department
   
   Unit
   
   Grade
   
   Curriculum and Instruction
   
   I
   
   191-Day
   
   Reports To (title only)
   
   Current as of
   
   Principal
   
   1/1/2015
   
   Position Summary
   
   Is this position exempt from overtime pay?
   
   Yes
   
   Provides for instruction of students by developing, selecting, and modifying instructional plans and materials and presenting them using instructional techniques which meet the needs of all students. Provides an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of students. Supervises students in a variety of school-related settings and activities. Monitors and evaluates student performance. Develops and implements plans to improve student performance. Maintains required records and follows required procedures and practices.
   
   Essential Duties & Responsibilities
   
   Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
   
   No
   
   1. Established clear goals and objectives related to the School Improvement Plan.
   
   2. Plans and prepares lessons, assignments, and instructional materials.
   
   3. Establishes learning objectives consistent with appraisal of student needs, curriculum framework, and knowledge of human growth and development.
   
   4. Prepares, administers and corrects evaluations and assessments, and records results.
   
   5. Selects and uses appropriate instructional strategies including but not limited to, lectures, group discussion, demonstrations, modeling and multi-media teaching aids to present subject matter to students.
   
   6. Evaluates student progress using appropriate assessment techniques.
   
   7. Maintains order and discipline in the classroom conducive to effective learning and takes all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
   
   8. Creates a classroom environment that provides for student involvement in the learning process and enables each student to achieve learning objectives.
   
   9. Counsels' pupils when academic and adjustment problems arise.
   
   10. Confers with parents and students regarding progress/problems of assigned student; arranges and participates in teacher-parent or teacher-student conferences as necessary.
   
   11. May serve on special committees.
   
   12. Monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, textbooks, materials and facilities.
   
   13. Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, board policy and administrative regulation.
   
   14. Attends and actively participates in staff/faculty meetings and provides input regarding the planning of instructional goals, objectives and methods.
   
   15. Improves skill and knowledge base in current trends, research and methodology in instructional techniques, technology, multicultural content, problem solving and interdisciplinary connections.
   
   16. Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for instructional assistants, teacher assistants, and volunteers.
   
   17. Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
   
   The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made on request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   Education
   
   * Bachelor's degree in applicable field of education from a regionally accredited college or university.
   
   Experience
   
   * None
   
   Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
   
   * Knowledge of school organization, goals and objectives, curriculum, teaching techniques, current trends, research and materials of instruction in field of specialization.
   * Understanding of the teaching/learning process. Ability to provide instruction that reflects multiple perspectives and multicultural education.
   * Ability to infuse technology into curriculum.
   * Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse populations to include, administrators, colleagues, central office and school board staff, students, parents, and community.
   * Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills.
   * Ability to demonstrate techniques necessary to instruct students in area of assignment.
   * Ability to attend school meetings, programs and activities outside the instructional day as necessary.
   * Skill in developing outreach strategies to encourage parental involvement in student learning.
   * Ability to employ a variety of teaching styles to respond to the needs of diverse learners.
   * Demonstrated proficiency with business software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, Outlook and/or PowerPoint preferred).
   
   Licenses/Certifications
   
   * Professional Certificate appropriate to area of assignment issued by the Maryland State Department of Education.
   
   Career Ladder Requirements
   
   * N/A
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * Ability to stand, sit, walk and climb stairs which allows for independent mobility throughout the school building/facility to include floor levels, hallways, stairs and playground areas.
   * Ability to stoop, bend and move heavy objects.
   * Crisis intervention may require participating in physical restraints.
   * Ability to observe student behavior, hear students and school public address/alarm systems and smell smoke or dangerous chemicals.
   
   Established: 1/1/2015

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right lead pre-kindergarten teacher for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead pre-kindergarten teacher job on Zippia to find and attract quality lead pre-kindergarten teacher candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as k12jobspot, learn4good, serious teachers, teachingjobs.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with lead pre-kindergarten teacher candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead pre-kindergarten teacher

   Once you've selected the best lead pre-kindergarten teacher candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new lead pre-kindergarten teacher. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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