What does a preschool lead teacher do?

A preschool lead teacher is responsible for managing the overall learning progress of preschool students. Preschool lead teachers to develop engaging and fun activities for the young learners to monitor their personal and social development. They also utilize learning techniques suitable for young learners' minds to improve their competencies and build self-confidence. They create progress reports and communicate the children's development to their parents. A preschool lead teacher should always adhere to the school regulations to ensure a safe and secure environment for the children.
Preschool lead teacher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real preschool lead teacher resumes:
- Instruct small groups in writing, letter identification, mathematics, and Health/Nutrition.
- Offer tutoring in writing, mathematics, Spanish, English, and other courses.
- Complete annual child abuse training, annual first aid and CPR, and annual food handlers training.
- Establish a history of graduating Pre-K students to kindergarten with the ability to read and do basic math.
- Educate students per Pre-K curriculum requirements, assemble portfolios, progress reports, and assessments for each child.
- Provide first aid or CPR, prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens, and access emergency services as needed.
- Implement age specific and developmentally appropriate curriculum according to the NAEYC standards.
- Design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum according to the guidelines establish by BHFS and NAEYC.
- Have assumed both lead and floating positions, ensuring proper implementation of Montessori and safety guidelines in every classroom.
- Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for toddler program, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided in order to maximize learning potential.
- Develop, implement, and update IEP's and other educational/developmental goals.
- Work collaboratively with parents in developing family partnerships, individual goals and attend any IEP meetings when applicable.
- Have assumed both lead and floating positions, ensuring proper implementation of Montessori and safety guidelines in every classroom.
Preschool lead teacher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Preschool Lead Teachers are proficient in CPR, Professional Development, and Child Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Organizational skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Preschool Lead Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 16%
Completed over 120 hours of training at Bright Horizons of Hopewell, including Diversity Training, CPR, and First Aid.
- Professional Development, 14%
Delegated work to support staff to improve overall classroom performance and provide them with professional development opportunities.
- Child Care, 12%
Implemented child care licensing requirements and regulations.
- Classroom Management, 12%
Received recognition for dedication and commitment, leadership and guidance, reliability, and excellent classroom management skills.
- Child Development, 11%
Prepared and implemented curriculum that included all aspects of child development: cognitive, physical and emotional.
- Open Communication, 9%
Maintain ongoing, open communication with parents and provide a classroom environment that encourages parent participation.
"cpr," "professional development," and "child care" are among the most common skills that preschool lead teachers use at work. You can find even more preschool lead teacher responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a preschool lead teacher to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what preschool lead teachers do because "preschool teachers must plan lessons that engage young children." Additionally, a preschool lead teacher resume shows how preschool lead teachers use creativity: "planned, created and implemented pre-k and preschool curriculum based on riels, dap and creative curriculum standards. "
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform preschool lead teacher duties is organizational skills. Preschool lead teachers responsibilities require that "teachers need to be organized to plan lessons and keep records of the children." Preschool lead teachers also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provide excellent customer service, maintain efficient prioritizing and organizational skills. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of preschool lead teachers is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday preschool lead teacher duties, as "preschool teachers must understand children’s emotional needs and be able to develop relationships with parents, children, and coworkers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "write lesson plans and worked with the students on topics like academics, emotional development, and interpersonal cooperation. "
Communication skills. For certain preschool lead teacher responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a preschool lead teacher rely on this skill, as "preschool teachers need good writing and speaking skills to talk to parents and colleagues about children’s progress." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what preschool lead teachers do: "participate actively in the teaching team through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning. "
Patience. Another crucial skill for a preschool lead teacher to carry out their responsibilities is "patience." A big part of what preschool lead teachers relies on this skill, since "working with children may be stressful." How this skill relates to preschool lead teacher duties can be seen in an example from a preschool lead teacher resume snippet: "demonstrated patience and understanding while managing difficult behaviors to maintain conducive learning environment in the classroom. "
Physical stamina. While "physical stamina" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to preschool lead teacher responsibilities. Much of what a preschool lead teacher does relies on this skill, seeing as "preschool teachers should have a lot of energy, because working with children can be physically demanding." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of preschool lead teachers: "established and maintained a classroom environment that effectively facilitates physical, social/emotional, and intellectual development. "
The three companies that hire the most preschool lead teachers are:
- Cadence Education204 preschool lead teachers jobs
- Goddard School38 preschool lead teachers jobs
- Learning Care Group32 preschool lead teachers jobs
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Preschool lead teacher vs. Teacher associate
A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students' progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students' difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a preschool lead teacher are more likely to require skills like "professional development," "open communication," "worksheets," and "early development." On the other hand, a job as a teacher associate requires skills like "cleanliness," "math," "language arts," and "behavior management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Teacher associates tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $32,745. In contrast, preschool lead teachers make the biggest average salary, $34,390, in the government industry.teacher associates tend to reach similar levels of education than preschool lead teachers. In fact, teacher associates are 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Preschool lead teacher vs. Infant and toddler teacher
An infant and toddler teacher is an individual who aids in the cognitive and social development of preschool children by teaching them the most basic skills that focus on play-centered learning and creativity. Infant and toddler teachers must help children develop positive self-images and encourage them to explore their interests and develop social skills. They must plan and carry out a curriculum that teaches children basic skills such as color, shape, and letter recognition. Infant and toddler teachers must also meet the children's parents to discuss concerns.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, preschool lead teacher responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "pre-k," "worksheets," "preschool classroom," and "preschool program." Meanwhile, an infant and toddler teacher has duties that require skills in areas such as "healthy environment," "fine arts," "diaper changes," and "quality care." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, infant and toddler teachers earn a lower salary than preschool lead teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, infant and toddler teachers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $37,267. Whereas preschool lead teachers have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $34,390.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Infant and toddler teachers tend to reach similar levels of education than preschool lead teachers. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Preschool lead teacher vs. Teacher aide
Teacher aides help lead teachers in managing the classroom. They assist teachers in conducting classroom sessions by setting up the classroom in advance, sourcing materials needed for class activities, helping in presentations, and guiding students during class activities. Teacher aides are also responsible for maintaining classroom cleanliness and helping clean up after the children. They also help manage the students during breaks and during classes. They help the lead teacher keep the students'students' attention. They also assist the students in any other tasks that they may need.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a preschool lead teacher is likely to be skilled in "professional development," "child development," "open communication," and "worksheets," while a typical teacher aide is skilled in "administration policies," "class rooms," "clerical support," and "homework assignments."
Teacher aides earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $35,388. Preschool lead teachers earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $34,390.Most teacher aides achieve a similar degree level compared to preschool lead teachers. For example, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Preschool lead teacher vs. Kindergarten teacher
Kindergarten teachers teach young children social and emotional skills, reading skills, music, and personal hygiene. They prepare these children for elementary school and certain life aspects. It is also their responsibility to teach children good classroom behavior, plan the curriculum daily and the whole school year, and conduct parent-teach meetings. Kindergarten teachers should encourage children to be observant of activities and give them the chance to ask questions and find the answers. They should also work with parents in putting an action plan to help children with emotional or developmental problems.
Types of preschool lead teacher
Updated January 8, 2025











