What Preschool Employers are Really Looking for in Teachers

Posted On September 8,2025

You want to be a preschool teacher. You love working with children, and you are dedicated to making a positive impact in their lives.Teaching preschool is an incredibly rewarding career.  However, getting your first job after finishing your early childhood education program can be intimidating. You want to make yourself stand out to the schools you want to work in, but you also know that, as a new graduate, your experience may not be as strong as that of veteran applicants. However, you can still secure a job if you market yourself effectively and understand what preschools truly value in their teachers.

A Strong Program that Meets Standards

Preschools should start by ensuring their applicants have the basics. They need teachers with the proper certifications who have come from accredited training programs.Accredited schools are essential for preschools when hiring their teachers, as it signifies that the program meets the rigorous standards of an organization like NAEYC and has trained its teachers in current best teaching practices, child development, and continuous improvement.  Accreditation means that the program aligns with state standards, and graduates from this program will be well-prepared to make a positive impact on children. Essentially, accreditation is a mark of quality, and preschools need to see that.When developing your resume for your first job as a preschool teacher, focus on highlighting your quality training to demonstrate that you meet the preschool’s standards.

A Solid Foundation of Practical Skills

Although you may not have had your own classroom yet, your ECE training program should have developed your practical skills, and you should be prepared to highlight these skills. Your interview will likely have a section where you discuss different practical scenarios. This might include:

• Can you discuss what your classroom management might look like?
• How will you transition your class from one activity to the next?
• Can you explain how you would handle a concerned parent?
• What if a child is struggling with a new concept? How will you encourage them?

Your ECE program should have built your practical skills. Talk about situations you handled during your program and the hands-on experience you gained, as well as any other relevant information that will guide your decision-making in the classroom.

Some schools will have you show, rather than tell.You may need to conduct a teaching demonstration. In these situations, you’ll be asked to prepare a short activity to share with a group of children while being observed. In these cases, think simply. Preschools want to see a developmentally appropriate activity, but they also want to watch your interactions with the children.

Soft Skills Make Good Teachers into Great Ones

Yes, you need a strong training program. You need to show success in your classes. But a good preschool teacher is more than just someone who understands child development and the concepts of early literacy and numeracy. A great preschool teacher demonstrates patience, organization, effective communication skills, a love of kids, and a positive outlook.These soft skills can help you stand out. If two candidates are equal on paper, it’s your personality and attitude that will give you the edge.

A Good Reputation

If you are going to work with young children, you need to be someone that a preschool feels they can trust. You need to make sure that you spend your time in and out of your classes developing a good reputation, so you have strong references when it’s time to apply for your first job. As you prepare your resume and begin to look for jobs, start thinking about whom you can ask for a reference. As a new teacher, look to the teachers who mentored you through your program. The most powerful reference will come from someone who has seen you working with children and can speak to the qualities that will make you a successful teacher. For your reference, consider

• An instructor from your ECE program who has witnessed your commitment to learning about the best practices in education.
• A former employer who can speak to qualities that can transfer over to the classroom, like strong communication skills, patience when working with others, organization, and reliability.
• Someone who has seen you work with young children. This could be someone who mentored you through your hands-on training or even a family with children you’ve cared for.

Marketing Yourself as a Great Teacher

When looking for a job, it’s essential to market yourself as a strong candidate. You need to develop your interview skills to sell yourself effectively. As you begin submitting applications, take the time to prepare for the questions that are likely to be asked. You should be able to articulate your educational philosophy quickly, discuss how you would approach standard classroom management, and describe the soft skills you possess that will make you an asset to the preschool where you are applying. Additionally, make sure that you make a good first impression. Show up to the interview on time, neatly dressed, and prepared. Arrive at the interview on time, neatly dressed, and well-prepared. Many new teachers will put together a portfolio that showcases their strengths. In your portfolio, include lesson plans you’ve developed, activities you’ve planned and implemented, and even pictures (with blurred or obstructed faces) of you working with children. Remember, you are selling yourself as a strong candidate, and a portfolio lets your prospective employer see what you can do.

Applying for your first job as a preschool teacher can be intimidating, but remember that every teacher needs to start somewhere. What preschools are really looking for is a teacher who will connect with their students and create a safe and happy environment for them to learn and grow. Trust that your program has prepared you, and do your best to showcase confidence that you are ready. You’ve got this!

Become the teacher preschools want and get started with Athena Career Academy’s accredited ECE program today! Contact us to learn more.