Occupation · SOC 25-2011
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Median wage
$37,120
$28,300–$60,070
Projected growth
+4.1%
Average growth
Annual openings
2,290
per year
Employed (US)
445,080
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,632 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingInstructingLearning StrategiesActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingCoordinationService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingTime ManagementPersuasionComplex Problem SolvingNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesTroubleshootingOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisScienceTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionRepairingProgrammingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Education and TrainingEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingMathematicsCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentMedicine and DentistryFine ArtsForeign LanguagePersonnel and Human ResourcesSales and MarketingComputers and ElectronicsGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyTelecommunicationsHistory and ArcheologyTransportationFood ProductionDesignBiologyMechanicalProduction and ProcessingBuilding and ConstructionEconomics and AccountingChemistryEngineering and TechnologyPhysics
Technology & tools
AppletreeBloomzChildren's educational softwareClassDojoCommon CurriculumEasyCBMEdmodoEmail softwareFlipgridGoogle ClassroomGoogle MeetIntrado SchoolMessengerMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordNearpodPadletSchoologySeesawTadpoles
Representative tasks
Assisting and Caring for OthersGetting InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsTraining and Teaching OthersThinking CreativelyDeveloping and Building TeamsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesDocumenting/Recording InformationCoaching and Developing OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesHandling and Moving ObjectsProcessing InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersWorking with ComputersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesAnalyzing Data or InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic color, shape, and number recognition activities — introduce and deliver under direct teacher supervision in a preschool classroom setting.Classroom behavior rules and daily procedures — follow and reinforce according to established guidelines when supervising small groups of young children.Instructional materials and manipulatives — select and distribute from a prepared inventory under guidance to support structured learning activities.Meals and snacks — serve to children in compliance with posted nutritional guidelines and licensing requirements during scheduled mealtimes.Children's basic physical needs — assist with feeding, dressing, and diapering under the direction of a lead teacher in a licensed childcare environment.Circle-time activities such as storytelling and simple songs — facilitate with scripted plans in a preschool classroom under supervisor observation.Personal hygiene routines — model and prompt children to practice handwashing, toothbrushing, and restroom procedures as part of the daily schedule.Classroom communication software and email — use to receive announcements, access lesson resources, and share updates with the lead teacher.Child behavior observations — record accurately using provided forms to support the lead teacher's monitoring of individual student progress.Parent or guardian interactions — respond to routine questions politely and refer concerns to the supervising teacher during drop-off and pick-up.
developing
Letter and number recognition lessons — plan and deliver independently using varied instructional formats tailored to the developmental levels in a mixed-age preschool group.Classroom behavior management systems — apply and adjust established rules and positive reinforcement strategies routinely to maintain order during transitions and free play.Instructional methods and learning materials — adapt independently to address different learning styles and interests observed across a cohort of preschool children.Structured play and exploration centers — organize and stock with diverse resources that balance imaginative play with curriculum-aligned learning objectives.Nutritional meal service protocols — implement consistently, accommodating documented food allergies and dietary restrictions in accordance with program policy.Physical, social, and creative development activities — lead games, arts-and-crafts sessions, and music activities following a weekly plan with minimal supervisory input.Parent-teacher conferences — conduct routinely to communicate individual children's progress, highlight strengths, and suggest home-learning strategies.Video creation and desktop communication tools — use to document classroom activities, share progress updates with families, and support remote learning when needed.Social-emotional cues in young children — recognize and respond with appropriate support strategies, applying basic knowledge of child psychology in daily interactions.Daily schedule and activity sequencing — manage time effectively to ensure smooth transitions between instruction, meals, rest, and outdoor activities.
proficient
Differentiated early childhood instruction — design and deliver autonomously across all core developmental domains for children with varying needs in a preschool setting.Comprehensive behavior support plans — develop and implement individualized strategies that address challenging behaviors while fostering a positive classroom community.Complex non-routine learning barriers — analyze and resolve by selecting evidence-based instructional adaptations that align with each child's developmental trajectory.Multi-modal learning environments — curate rich resource ecosystems that integrate manipulatives, digital tools, and open-ended play to maximize engagement and learning outcomes.Family partnership programs — facilitate in-depth meetings with parents and guardians to co-create learning goals, address sensitive concerns, and strengthen home-school connections.Field trips and community-based learning events — plan, coordinate logistics, and lead safely while integrating experiences into ongoing curriculum objectives.Child progress monitoring systems — design and maintain using spreadsheet and office-suite software to track developmental milestones and inform instructional decisions.Public safety and emergency procedures — execute with confidence during drills and real incidents, ensuring child welfare in accordance with licensing and regulatory standards.Cross-functional coordination with specialists — collaborate with speech, occupational therapy, or social services staff to support children with identified developmental concerns.Critical reflection on instructional practice — apply active learning strategies to continuously improve lesson quality and adapt curriculum in response to outcome data.
advanced
Early childhood curriculum frameworks — design and champion program-wide instructional models that align with developmental research, state standards, and licensing requirements.Professional learning communities — lead and facilitate for teaching staff across the program, embedding a culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement.Mentorship and coaching systems — establish for emerging and developing teachers, providing structured observation, feedback cycles, and growth-planning conversations.Family and community engagement strategy — develop and steward organization-wide initiatives that deepen caregiver partnerships and extend learning beyond the classroom.Program-wide behavior and social-emotional learning policy — author and institutionalize, ensuring consistent implementation of trauma-informed practices across all classrooms.Technology integration roadmap — lead the adoption of classroom management software, video conferencing tools, and digital documentation systems across the entire early childhood center.Child assessment and data governance — oversee the design of program-level monitoring frameworks and use aggregate outcome data to drive curriculum investment decisions.Regulatory compliance and public safety leadership — direct staff training and policy development to ensure full adherence to licensing, health, and safety mandates at organizational scale.Stakeholder communication and advocacy — represent the program's educational philosophy persuasively to boards, funders, district partners, and community organizations.Organizational culture and staff well-being — model cooperation, empathy, and optimism as executive-level values, shaping a supportive and high-performing teaching workforce.
Also known as
25 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
After School TeacherChild Care Assistant TeacherChild Development TeacherChildcare TeacherChildhood Development TeacherDay Care TeacherDaycare TeacherEarly Childhood EducatorEarly Childhood TeacherGroup TeacherHome-Based Preschool TeacherInfant TeacherMontessori ParaprofessionalMontessori Preschool TeacherMontessori TeacherNursery School TeacherNursery TeacherPre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)Pre-School TeacherPrekindergarten TeacherPreschool TeacherStart TeacherSubstitute Preschool TeacherTeacherToddler Teacher