Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
If you’re an individual who enjoys spending time and nurturing small children, working as a preschool teacher might be a wonderful career path to pursue.
If you're interested, we’ve got some tips to help you interview better, some common preschool teacher job interview questions, and advice that can help you land your dream career.
Key Takeaways:As a candidate, your interviewer will be interested in the lesson plans you've created, your ability to work with young children, and the progress you've made with students in the past.
As an interviewer, look for candidates who have a passion for teaching, understand young children, and have the ability to think critically.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
What are some of the most typical questions you might come across during your interview for a preschool teacher?
Below, we list some of the most frequent questions asked for a preschool teacher interview as well as some suggested answers to give you a starting point for your interview.
Tell me about yourself.
This question is a traditional way to kick off the interview. Your potential employer wants to understand what you consider important enough to surface in the interview.
It’s typically appropriate to restate your name, certifications, and your educational background. Discuss any teaching experience you have and make sure you specify why you want to work for their school specifically.
Example Answer:
“My name is Maria Smith and I have a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education. I have worked the last ten years at The Learning Experience, but I am looking for my next adventure. KinderCare is an incredible establishment that I have respected for my entire career and I would be honored to be considered for this position.”
Why did you choose to become a preschool teacher? What motivates you? What are you passionate about?
These questions are typically asked to assess your passion and commitment to being a preschool teacher.
Consider your reasoning for wanting to work in this field and be honest.
Example Answer:
“I have loved working with children my entire life. My first job was babysitting my neighbor and my love of educating and caring for children just expanded from there. Being a preschool teacher is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my professional experience.”
What do you like most about being a preschool teacher?
Similarly, this is probing for more insight into your passion and commitment for your kids. You can answer this in a variety of ways, depending on what your personal preferences of the job are.
Example Answer:
“Hands down my favorite part of teaching is seeing the enjoyment on my kids’ faces when they learn how to do something new. It’s unbelievably rewarding to watch the magic happen as they discover something new in their world.”
What is your least favorite thing about being a preschool teacher?
Although this one feels a little uncomfortable, it’s important to respond to this question appropriately and as positively as you can.
It’s no secret that everyone has parts of their job that they dislike. The trick here is to articulate it in a way that feels more positive than negative.
Example Answer:
“I have had many children in the past struggle with distractions and that can be a big challenge. However, over my last ten years of experience, I have learned strategies and methods to help children overcome their frustrations so that the learning and fun can continue.”
How do you define success? How do you measure success?
These questions are normally asked to understand how you think about your performance as an employee.
Passion isn’t all it takes to become a preschool teacher. Your potential employer wants to make sure you’re also an efficient and successful employee both for their organization and for your own personal growth.
Example Answer:
“Success for me is when all of my children are content and happy in the classroom. This means making sure we adjust any curriculum that might be too challenging or not challenging enough for certain students and ensuring all of their needs are met. The measurement comes in when I do evaluations of my children at the end of each semester. As long as they are continuously improving, I know I am doing my job.”
Where do you see yourself in two years? In five years?
The potential employer is probing to see what your future goals are. Typically, those hiring preschool teachers are looking for loyal teachers who will stick with them for a long time.
However, don’t sell yourself short in this question. If you’re interested in becoming involved in the organization at a different level, articulate that as well.
Example Answer:
“In the next two years, I see myself still at KinderCare, should I get this job. In the next five years, I see myself working my way up and possibly taking a management position at a preschool or daycare.”
What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
This question is looking to understand more about your prior experience and where you feel your strengths lie.
Example Answer:
“I absolutely love teaching my children how to read. Watching their faces light up when they learn a new letter or recognize a sight word is so rewarding to me as a teacher. It also instills a love of learning for them early on in their development which hopefully stays around for the rest of their lives.”
How do you stay organized? What do you prioritize as a teacher? How do you think about getting all of your tasks done while managing a classroom?
Organization is so important as a teacher and you will likely get these questions or similar ones when you interview. Be sure you think about your specific methods for staying organized and practice articulating this before your interview begins.
Example Answer:
“I love staying organized both in the classroom and in my personal life. I use calendars, reminders, and “To Do” lists. In the classroom, I prioritize the children’s organization. Every child gets a cubby and a desk, and everything is labeled meticulously. In terms of getting all my tasks done, I refer back to my “To Do” list at every chance I get to make sure I don’t miss anything.”
What do you think is one of the most difficult things children are facing today?
This is a great question to be asked, as it allows you to let your knowledge of children shine. This can help set you apart from other candidates, depending on your response.
Example Answer:
“I think children today are deprived of physical activity because of the new digital age. There’s nothing wrong with spending some time in front of a screen, but I believe balance is incredibly important in the development of young children. That’s why I promote yoga and meditation at key points throughout the day, even for my classes of small children. It helps them get exercise and reset their brains to be ready to learn.”
Example Answer:
Creativity is essential for preschoolers. I try and allow my students the space to come up with their ideas and suggestions. I encourage them to challenge me as well and reward originality when appropriate. I also try to encourage freedom of expression by offering up different “theme” days throughout the year.
How do you approach collaborating on planning with colleagues? Would you be willing to have a teacher’s aid in the classroom with you?
This question is likely specific to certain organizations and classrooms, but the interviewer is looking to understand how you work in a team environment.
Example Answer:
“I enjoy collaborating with other preschool educators to ensure a consistent and smooth curriculum for all students. I would absolutely love to have a teacher’s aide in my classroom, as an extra pair of hands is always welcome.”
What does your classroom look like on a typical day?
The interviewer is likely looking for information as to how you run your classrooms. They’re looking to better understand how you think about teaching and what your expectations are for students.
Example Answer:
“In my classroom, there is always movement, communication, and music. I ensure that students learn in a way that is best for them, typically offering a few different ways to learn the same skill. I encourage safe peer-to-peer interaction between the children and reward good behavior with small prizes like stickers.”
Example answer:
I want to work here because I believe your preschool's passionate and innovative approach to education perfectly matches my education philosophy. As someone who's lived in Dixon County my entire life, I have a deep understanding of these children and their many diverse backgrounds. I see their struggles and their triumphs on a day-to-day basis, so I know I'm qualified to guide them and help them thrive.
Why should we hire you? The person who has the most comprehensive perspective on their performance as a preschool teacher is the candidate themselves. That’s why an interviewer usually asks them, “Why should we hire you?”.
When answering, a candidate should outline the aspects of their personality and experience that make them an ideal fit for the role. The hiring manager wants the applicant to sell themselves succinctly when posing this blunt question.
Example Answer:
You should hire me because I am deeply committed to the education and well-being of my preschoolers. My passion for creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and self-expression provides my children with what they need to thrive.
Additionally, my 10 years of experience and educational background have given me a deep understanding of early childhood development and effective teaching techniques. I have a track record of creating engaging and age-appropriate lesson plans that cater to the diverse needs of my classroom. I’ve comfortably worked with children who have a variety of needs, and my communication and collaboration skills allow me to work well with families and other professionals to provide a comprehensive and integrated support system for children.
I’m also committed to staying up-to-date with the most modern and well-researched teaching practices, so I know my children are always receiving the best-quality education they can be.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? This question is all about balance and positivity. Start off by talking about your biggest strength. Then, even after you honestly transition to your biggest weakness, ensure that you discuss how you manage and improve that weakness.
Example Answer:
One of my greatest strengths as a preschool teacher is my ability to build connections with my children. I have a warm and welcoming demeanor that helps children feel comfortable and safe in the classroom. I am also patient, compassionate, and empathetic, and I have a knack for understanding children's needs and interests.
On the other hand, one of my greatest weaknesses is my tendency to put a lot on my own shoulders. Sometimes my passion for making a positive difference in the lives of young children can lead to me overcommitting and overwhelming myself. To overcome this weakness, I have learned to prioritize my time and schedule tasks. I also make sure to take care of myself in my personal time, which prevents burnout in the workplace.
Tell me about a time you had a difficult student in your classroom. How did you work to manage them and ensure their success?
How often do you communicate with parents or guardians? How do you view their role in the classroom?
What tools do you help students who may be distracted?
What do you think makes you the best candidate for this job?
Give me an example of feedback you provide to your students to help them improve in an area they may be struggling in.
How do you measure student success?
Describe your positive guidance strategies.
How do you encourage children to work in groups?
How do you manage conflict between children?
Tell me about a successful event you have planned for children in your care in the past.
Describe your typical daily schedule in the classroom.
What is your teaching philosophy?
What is your biggest success in teaching? How about your biggest regret?
How do you deal with parent anxiety during drop-off? How about children’s anxiety?
How do you respond to behavioral issues?
All of the possible Interview questions for the preschool teacher job might seem overwhelming at first, but there are some effective steps you can take to prepare:
As a Candidate:Research. Look into the school you're applying for and try to discover teaching and classroom management techniques they prefer, how many children will be in the classroom, etc. Going into your interview with this knowledge will make it easier to talk about your relevant skills.
Understanding Children. Bring examples of how to navigate the challenges that come with working with children of preschool age. On the flip side, explain how well you understand child psychology, so you can prove you have what it takes to succeed. Pulling real-life examples from your past is ideal.
Patience. Working with children requires an immense amount of patience, and you should come to your interview prepared to explain how you excel in this regard. This can be done through examples, as well as explaining your teaching philosophy.
Review the Job Description. Use the job description to construct your ideal candidate, but do not overlook candidates who are proven to be good communicators and patient leaders.
Explain Responsibilities. Ensure your candidates are aware of the responsibilities they would have as a preschool teacher. Additionally, talk about the potential size of the classroom, learning level of the students, and if there are any other challenges they should be aware of.
Provide a Timeline. Provide your prospective preschool teacher with an accurate hiring process timeline.
Working as a preschool teacher can be demanding and overwhelming for many individuals. Before you pursue this type of career, it’s a good idea to understand the good and the bad of these types of positions and if you’re the right kind of person for this job.
If you are considering becoming a preschool teacher, consider if you feel you possess these qualities:
Patience. Being a preschool teacher in a classroom with multiple children means that your attention will be demanded at all hours of the working day.
While much of the attention-seeking is endearing and cute, some of the attention-seeking can be burdensome and even overwhelming at times.
Having patience during toddler meltdowns, fighting children, or working with a child who has a short attention span will make your job much easier to manage.
Youthful spirit. Hanging out with children all day allows you to not only encourage and educate small children, but it gives you the opportunity to be imaginative and playful.
Bringing your playful and youthful spirit into the classroom will make the class more enjoyable and allow your children to be much more engaged.
Quick thinking. Being able to think on your feet and change directions fast is a must as a preschool teacher, You should be able to adjust activities or instructions for children if they struggle with specific things and come up with answers to difficult questions on the fly.
Problem-solving. Although you won’t be working in a traditional team setting, problem-solving is a key skill you’ll want to bring into the preschool classroom.
Although the problems you’ll be solving are very different for children, you’ll likely be required to actively problem solve in the classroom for the children you teach.