Pre-K teacher duties: Pre-K Teacher Job Description

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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• Summary
• What They Do
• Work Environment
• How to Become One
• Pay
• Job Outlook
• State & Area Data
• Similar Occupations
• More Info

Summary

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What Preschool Teachers Do

Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten.

Work Environment

Preschool teachers typically work in public and private schools or childcare centers. Many work the traditional 10-month school year, but some work year-round.

How to Become a Preschool Teacher

Education and training requirements vary based on settings and state regulations. Preschool teachers typically need at least an associate’s degree.

Pay

The median annual wage for preschool teachers was $30,210 in May 2021.

Job Outlook

Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 63,100 openings for preschool teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for preschool teachers.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of preschool teachers with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about preschool teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Preschool teachers use play to teach children about the world.

Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten. They teach language, motor, and social skills to young children.

Duties

Preschool teachers typically do the following:

• Teach children basic skills such as identifying colors, shapes, numbers, and letters
• Work with children in groups or one on one, depending on the needs of children and on the subject matter
• Plan and carry out a curriculum that focuses on different areas of child development
• Organize activities so children can learn about the world, explore interests, and develop skills
• Develop schedules and routines to ensure children have enough physical activity and rest
• Watch for signs of emotional or developmental problems in each child and bring them to the attention of the child’s parents
• Keep records of the children’s progress, routines, and interests, and inform parents about their child’s development

Young children learn from playing, problem solving, and experimenting. Preschool teachers use play and other instructional techniques to teach children. For example, they use storytelling and rhyming games to teach language and vocabulary. They may help improve children’s social skills by having them work together to build a neighborhood in a sandbox or teach math by having children count when building with blocks.

Preschool teachers work with children from different ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. Teachers include topics in their lessons that teach children how to respect people of different backgrounds and cultures.

Preschool teachers usually work in public schools, private schools, and childcare centers that have preschool programs.

Preschool teachers held about 483,100 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of preschool teachers were as follows:

It may be rewarding to see children develop new skills and gain an appreciation of knowledge and learning. However, it can also be tiring to work with young, active children all day.

Work Schedules

Preschool teachers in public schools generally work during school hours. Many work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. Some preschool teachers may teach in summer programs.

Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 9 weeks in a row and then have a break for 3 weeks before starting a new school session.

Those working in daycare settings may work year-round with longer hours.

How to Become a Preschool Teacher About this section

Preschool teachers must plan lessons that engage young students and must also adapt their lessons to suit different learning styles.

Education and training requirements vary based on settings and state regulations. Preschool teachers typically need at least an associate’s degree.

Education

Preschool teachers typically need at least an associate’s degree.

Preschool teachers in center-based Head Start programs are required to have at least an associate’s degree. However, at least 50 percent of all preschool teachers in Head Start programs nationwide must have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. Those with a degree in a related field, such as psychology, must have experience teaching preschool-age children.

In public schools, preschool teachers are generally required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. Bachelor’s degree programs include instruction on children’s development, teaching young children, and observing and documenting children’s progress.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some states require preschool teachers to obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential offered by the Council for Professional Recognition.  Obtaining the CDA credential requires coursework, experience in the field, a written exam, and observation of the candidate working with children. The CDA credential must be renewed every 3 years.

In public schools, preschool teachers must be licensed to teach early childhood education, which covers preschool through third grade. Requirements vary by state, but they generally require a bachelor’s degree and passing an exam to demonstrate competency. Most states require teachers to complete continuing education credits in order to maintain their license.

Other Experience

A few states require preschool teachers to have some work experience in a childcare setting. In these states, preschool teachers often start out as childcare workers or teacher assistants. The amount of experience needed varies by state. 

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Preschool teachers need good writing and speaking skills to talk to parents and colleagues about children’s progress. They must also be able to communicate well with small children.

Creativity. Preschool teachers must plan lessons that engage young children. In addition, they need to adapt their lessons to suit different learning styles.

Interpersonal skills. Preschool teachers must understand children’s emotional needs and be able to develop relationships with parents, children, and coworkers.

Organizational skills. Teachers need to be organized to plan lessons and keep records of the children.

Patience. Working with children may be stressful. Preschool teachers should be able to respond calmly to overwhelming and difficult situations.

Physical stamina. Preschool teachers should have a lot of energy, because working with children can be physically demanding.

Advancement

Experienced preschool teachers may advance to become the director of a preschool or childcare center or a lead teacher. Those with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education frequently are qualified to teach kindergarten through grade 3, in addition to preschool. Teaching positions at these higher grades typically pay more. For more information, see the profiles on preschool and childcare center directors and kindergarten and elementary school teachers.

Preschool Teachers

Median annual wages, May 2021

Preschool, elementary, middle, secondary, and special education teachers

$61,030

Total, all occupations

$45,760

Preschool teachers, except special education

$30,210

 

The median annual wage for preschool teachers was $30,210 in May 2021.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,840, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,530.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for preschool teachers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Preschool teachers in public schools generally work during school hours. Many work the traditional 10-month school year and a 2-month break during the summer. Some preschool teachers may teach in summer programs.

Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks in a row and then have a break for 1 week before starting a new school session. They also have a 5-week midwinter break.

Those working in daycare settings may work year-round and have longer hours.

Preschool Teachers

Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31

Preschool teachers, except special education

Total, all occupations

Preschool, elementary, middle, secondary, and special education teachers

 

Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 63,100 openings for preschool teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Much of the projected employment growth in this occupation is due to recovery from the COVID-19 recession of 2020.

Early childhood education is important for a child’s intellectual and social development. More preschool teachers should be needed to meet the demand for early childhood education.

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Preschool teachers, except special education

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of preschool teachers.

For more information about early childhood education, visit

National Association for the Education of Young Children

For more information about professional credentials, visit

Council for Professional Recognition

O*NET

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Preschool Teachers,

at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm (visited January 18, 2023).

Last Modified Date:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022

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Option 1: Correct the Permalinks

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   Job descriptions for teachers of preschool educational institutions

   A selection of job descriptions for teachers and educators in kindergarten

   All instructions
   Administration
   Health workers
   Service personnel

   Package of job descriptions in the preschool educational institution according to the professional standard

   The package includes 45 instructions and a set of related documents (3 provisions, 20 professional standards) in * .doc format, which is fully compatible with all major text editors: Microsoft Word, Open Office Writer, LibreOffice Writer.

   The professional standards approved by the order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation for September 2021 were taken as the basis for the development of job descriptions. Each instruction is placed in a separate file, designed in accordance with the requirements of GOST R 7. 0.97-2016.

   Update:

   08/11/2022

   View package

   An example of a job description for a social teacher in a kindergarten. Compiled in accordance with Professional Standard “ 01.005 Specialist in the field of education “approved by Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation No. 10n dated January 10, 2017; taking into account the Federal State Educational Standard of preschool education, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated October 17, 2013 No. 1155; Federal Law No. 273-FZ dated 12/29/2012 “On Education in the Russian Federation”, the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer

   An example of compiling a job description for a teacher of additional education in kindergarten. Developed in accordance with the Professional standard “ 01.003 Teacher of additional education for children and adults “, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation N 298n dated May 5, 2018; in accordance with Federal Law No. 273 of December 29, 2012 “ On Education in the Russian Federation “; Federal State Educational Standard for Preschool Education, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia No. 1155 of October 17, 2013; The Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer.

   An example of drafting a job description for a kindergarten teacher. Developed in accordance with the Professional standard “ 01.001 Teacher (pedagogical activity in the field of preschool, primary, basic and secondary general education) (educator, teacher) “, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation No. 544n dated October 18, 2013; taking into account the Federal State Educational Standard of preschool education, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated October 17, 2013 No. 1155; Federal Law No. 273-FZ dated 29.12.2012 “ On Education in the Russian Federation “, the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer.

   Sample standard job description for a senior kindergarten teacher. Compiled in accordance with the Professional standard “ 01.001 Teacher (pedagogical activity in the field of preschool, primary, basic and secondary general education) (educator, teacher) “, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation No. 544n of October 18, 2013; taking into account the Federal State Educational Standard of Preschool Education, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia of October 17, 2013 No. 1155; Federal Law No. 273-FZ of December 29, 2012 ” On education in the Russian Federation “, the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer.

   An example of compiling a job description for a music director in a preschool educational institution. Developed in accordance with Profstandart “ 01.001 Teacher (pedagogical activity in the field of preschool, primary general, basic general, secondary general education) (educator, teacher) “; in accordance with Federal Law No. 273 of December 29, 2012 “ On Education in the Russian Federation “; Federal State Educational Standard for Preschool Education, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia No. 1155 of October 17, 2013; The Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer.

   An example of compiling a job description for a physical education instructor in a kindergarten. Developed on the basis of the Professional standard “ 05.005 Instructor-methodologist “, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation No. 630n dated September 8, 2014; in accordance with the Federal State Educational Standard of preschool education, approved by order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia No. 1155 of October 17, 2013; Federal Law No. 273-FZ dated 29.12.2012 “ On education in the Russian Federation “; The Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer.

   An example of drafting a job description for a teacher-psychologist in a kindergarten. Developed in accordance with the Professional standard “ 01.002 Teacher-psychologist (psychologist in the field of education) “, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation N 514n dated July 24, 2015; in accordance with Federal Law No. 273 of 29.12.2012 “ On education in the Russian Federation “; Federal State Educational Standard for Preschool Education, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia No. 1155 of October 17, 2013; The Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer.

   Sample standard job description for a defectologist teacher in kindergarten. Compiled taking into account the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard for Preschool Education on the basis of the Unified Qualification Directory for the Positions of Managers, Specialists and Employees, section “Qualification Characteristics of the Positions of Educational Workers”.

   An example of drafting a job description for a kindergarten teacher-speech therapist. Developed in accordance with the Professional standard “ 01. 001 Teacher (pedagogical activity in the field of preschool, primary, basic and secondary general education) (educator, teacher) “, approved by order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation No. 544n dated October 18, 2013; taking into account the draft Order of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation “ On the approval of the professional standard “Teacher-defectologist (teacher-speech therapist, deaf teacher, oligophrenopedagogue, typhlopedagogue)”, prepared by the Ministry of Labor of Russia on September 15, 2016; taking into account the Federal State Educational Standard of preschool education, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated October 17, 2013 No. 1155; Federal Law No. 273-FZ of December 29, 2012 “ On Education in the Russian Federation “; The Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulations governing labor relations between an employee and an employer.

   An example of a typical job description for a junior kindergarten teacher. Compiled taking into account the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard for preschool education on the basis of the Unified Qualification Directory for the positions of managers, specialists and employees, approved by order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated August 26, 2010 No. 761n; Federal Law No. 273-FZ of December 29, 2012 “ On Education in the Russian Federation ”, the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and other regulatory legal acts regulating labor relations between an employee and an employer.

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   A preschool teacher is a teacher, mentor who works with children of primary preschool age. He organizes the educational process, instills in children moral and ethical guidelines, is engaged in their socialization and preparation for schooling. The teacher conducts group or individual training according to approved curricula and creates a favorable pedagogical environment for the personal development of kids. His main professional task is to provide educational material, teach children the basics of writing and reading, educate the aesthetic and moral personal foundations necessary for successful socialization in society.

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   salaries: how much does a preschool teacher

   ^*

   start: 20,000 ₽ per month

   Experienced: 25000 ₽ per month

   Professional: 50000 ₽ per month

   * – information on salaries is given roughly based on vacancies on profiling sites. Salary in a particular region or company may differ from those given. Your income is greatly influenced by how you can apply yourself in the chosen field of activity. Income is not always limited only by the fact that you are offered vacancies in the labor market.

   Demand for the profession

   According to modern educational standards, preschool education is a mandatory form of work with young children. Moreover, this form of education requires a special attitude to their work on the part of teachers and the availability of the necessary professional basis. Classes and groups of preschool education operate in almost every school or preschool educational center. In this regard, the labor market requires a large number of teachers of this profile. The profession of a teacher of preschool education should be recognized as a demanded type of activity. There are a lot of job offers in the labor market.

   For whom the profession is suitable

   For a preschool teacher, it is important not so much to provide formalized educational material as to prepare the child for the educational process, building social ties in the educational team. To solve these problems, the teacher must be able to interact with the younger generation on an emotional, personal level, find an approach to each pupil, become his friend and mentor. The profession can be recommended to those who:

   • Likes and knows how to work with children;
   • Possesses pedagogical talent;
   • Benevolent and patient, emotionally stable and friendly;
   • Able to conduct classes in an interesting and exciting way, to combine the cognitive process and game forms of learning.

   Responsibilities

   Professional responsibilities of a preschool teacher include:

   • Development of an educational program;
   • Conducting classes with children, issuing educational material in the planned volume;
   • Creation of a favorable pedagogical environment, establishment of positive interaction with the student audience;
   • Formation of social and communication skills in students, instilling communication skills with peers and adults;
   • Development of aesthetic feelings and cognitive abilities in wards;
   • The use of gaming forms of education, the use of visual aids and information tools in the educational process;
   • Organization of additional classes, visits to exhibitions and cultural centers;
   • Advisory and partnership work with parents of students.