Preschool Teacher Career
As a preschool teacher, you are responsible for educating and socializing children at the earliest stages of their education. You’ll be teaching everything from letters, shapes, and colors to how to share and get along with friends. You will be responsible for making sure that your students’ basic needs are filled; be ready to schedule bathroom breaks and water breaks.
You will need to keep parents informed of their child’s progress and development. Depending on the school, you will also be responsible for developing lesson plans and learning materials for your classroom.
Preschool Teacher Career Snapshot
As a preschool teacher, you will work in a school setting, but the nature of that school could vary tremendously–you might work in a religious school, a Montessori school, a public school, or something else entirely. Standards and expectations will differ widely between schools. Expect to work between 20-40 hours a week.
Further details on a career as a preschool teacher are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average pay for preschool teachers per year.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a some college, but no degree while 22% have an Associate’s.
Preschool Teacher Education
To get an entry-level job as a preschool teacher, you will likely need at least an Associate’s degree. For higher paying jobs, you should consider getting a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
Preschool Teacher Job Duties
It’s hard to predict what your daily like will look like as a preschool teacher. Your duties may include reading stories, comforting crying children, meeting with parents, or finger painting. You will work with children one-on-one or in small groups to meet their personal educational needs. You are also responsible for observing students and noting signs of learning difficulties or developmental delays so that early interventions can be carried out.
Preschool Teacher Salaries
The median salary for a preschool teacher is $28,570 a year based on May 2015 BLS.gov statistics. If you have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, you can expect to make more. The top 10% of earners will earn $51,990 a year or more. The lowest earners will earn a yearly salary of about $19,130.
Preschool Teacher Job Outlook
The demand for preschool teachers is expected to rise by about 7% through 2024, which is in line with the average occupation. Preschool is not a requirement in the United States, however the demand for preschool teachers may increase as early childhood education becomes more common in the U.S.
Preschool Teacher Skills & Traits
| Preschool Teacher Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Preschool Teachers: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Speaking • Learning strategies • Instructing • Active listening • Coordination | • Oral expression • Oral comprehension • Problem sensitivity • Speech clarity | • Play structures • Educational games • First aid kits • Sand/water tables | • Assisting children • Creative thinking • Maintaining and establishing relationships • Communicating |
Related Careers
Childcare Workers
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Preschool & Childcare Center Directors
Bachelor’s Degree
Teacher Assistants
Some College, No Degree
