Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers

At a Glance

Work in child care centers, nursery schools, and preschools
Also work in private or public schools and in their own homes
May have summers off
For kindergarten teachers, training usually lasts five years after high school
Training requirements vary for preschool teachers
Public school teachers need a license
May work part time or full time

Career summary

Preschool and kindergarten teachers help children explore their interests and develop their talents. They help children build self-esteem and learn how to behave with others.

#No alternate titles

Preschool and kindergarten teachers work in:

Child care centers
Nursery schools
Preschools

In addition to taking care of children's basic needs, they organize activities to help children grow and learn. Teachers plan games and tasks that foster children's physical, emotional, mental, and social growth.

Preschool and kindergarten teachers spend most of their day working with children. They also meet with parents to discuss each child's progress and needs. Many teachers of young children keep progress records for each child.

Preschool and kindergarten teachers build their programs around play. For example, they might improve children's social skills by having them work together on an activity. They encourage language development through storytelling and acting games. They have children use science and math concepts by balancing blocks to build a bridge, or mixing colors to paint.

Teachers of young children use small group lessons and one-on-one teaching. Teachers plan each day's activities to include individual and group play, and active and quiet time. They teach children through creative activities, such as:

Art
Dance
Music

Preschool and kindergarten teachers make sure that children have rest periods. They identify children who may not feel well, or who show signs of developmental problems. They discuss these matters with their supervisor and with the child's parents. Teachers of young children may also help identify children with special needs.

Related careers

This career is part of the Education and Training cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to preschool and kindergarten teachers.

Organize activities that develop children's physical, emotional, mental, and social growth.
Maintain contact with parents or guardians through informal meetings or conferences.
Keep records of each child's progress. Make suggestions to parents for activities to do at home.
Provide learning opportunities through basic care activities.
Encourage language development through reading, storytelling, and acting games.
Improve social skills through discussions and cooperative activities.
Introduce science and math concepts through building and counting activities.
Encourage creative talents through art, dance, and music activities.
Plan and develop each day's activities. Balance group and individual play, and active and quiet time.
Serve nutritious meals and snacks. Teach good eating and personal cleanliness habits.
Observe children to identify signs of illness or emotional or developmental problems.
Confer with parents and supervisors about progress and any behavioral or developmental problems.
Enforce school policies and rules regarding student behavior and safety.

Common work activities

Preschool and kindergarten teachers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Establish and maintain relationships
Assist and care for others
Think creatively
Get information needed to do the job
Teach others
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Make decisions and solve problems
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Develop goals and strategies
Develop and build teams
Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
Update and use job-related knowledge
Identify objects, actions, and events
Evaluate information against standards
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Schedule work and activities
Coach others
Document and record information
Coordinate the work and activities of others
Communicate with people outside the organization
Perform for or work with the public
Guide, direct, and motivate others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, preschool and kindergarten teachers:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a high level of social interaction. They spend most of their time interacting with children and parents.
Are often placed in conflict situations.
Are responsible for the health and safety of young children.
Must sometimes deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous children or parents.
Are sometimes responsible for work outcomes and results of other workers, such as a teacher aide.
Speak in front of large groups on a weekly basis.
Communicate with coworkers and parents weekly by phone and e-mail. Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
Communicate with coworkers, parents, and children in person on a daily basis.

Physical work conditions

Often work indoors, but sometimes work outdoors supervising activities during free time or recreation activities.
Are sometimes exposed to diseases and infections.
Are sometimes exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable, such as from a noisy classroom.
Work very near children. They often work within inches of other people.

Work performance

Must be very exact in their observation of children's behavior. Identifying problems early allows children to have future success.
Make decisions on a weekly basis that strongly impact parents and children. They consult supervisors for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
Are able to set most tasks and goals for the day without talking to a supervisor.
Must meet strict deadlines on a monthly basis.

Hours/travel

Generally have a set schedule each week.
May work part time or full time, but most work at least 40 hours a week.
May work extra unpaid hours on planning, parent meetings, and other non-classroom duties.
Usually work a ten-month school year with a two-month summer vacation, if working for a public school system.
May work a yearlong schedule, if working in a child care center. May work early morning, day, or early evening hours.

Physical demands

Preschool and kindergarten teachers frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.
Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for preschool and kindergarten teachers to be able to:

Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand the speech of another person.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for preschool and kindergarten teachers to be able to:

See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.

Skills and abilities

Preschool and kindergarten teachers need to:

Communicate

Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand spoken information.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Understand written information.
Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Think of new ideas about a topic.
Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

Teach others how to do something.
Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
Look for ways to help people.
Persuade others to approach things differently.
Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a kindergarten teacher, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent;
have at least a bachelor's degree;
complete an early childhood education or teacher education program;
complete a student teacher internship; and
pass a state licensing exam.

To work as a preschool teacher, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent;
have an associate degree; and
meet your state's licensing requirements.

Education after high school

Education requirements for kindergarten teachers vary by state. In most states, you need at least a bachelor's degree from an approved teacher education program. Almost all education programs include courses in early childhood development, math teaching, and reading teaching. Public kindergarten teachers must also have a teaching license.

Many states require that teachers have (or be in the process of working on) a master's degree in education. This usually involves one additional year of course work after completing a bachelor's degree.

Training requirement for preschool teachers varies widely. Each state has its own licensing requirements. They range from a high school diploma to a college degree. However, most require you have an associate degree. Private child care facilities and schools may have fewer requirements than public schools. They may not require college courses, a license, or experience.

Early childhood education programs are available at four-year schools. In addition, community colleges offer one- and two-year programs in early childhood education.

On-the-job training

Before graduating from a teacher education program, you work as a student teacher. Student teachers work in kindergarten classrooms with experienced teachers. In the beginning, you observe the teacher and classroom. Later, you teach on your own.

Training for preschool teachers varies by employer. Some provide less than a month of training and others provide up to one year.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Child Care
Child Development
Parenting
Psychology
Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for teachers who have good communication skills and can inspire trust and confidence. They prefer teachers who can motivate students and understand their educational and emotional needs. They prefer teachers who can deal with disruptive children and provide firm but fair discipline. Employers look for teachers who are energetic, organized, dependable, patient, and creative. Skills in music, art, drama, and storytelling are also helpful.

Some employers in private facilities prefer to hire preschool teachers with a recognized child development credential. Some prefer applicants who have taken college courses in early childhood education. However, employers also value previous work experience in a child care setting. Some schools require their own specialized training for teachers. Public schools nearly always require a bachelor's degree and state teacher certification.

Some employers prefer to hire teachers who are bilingual. Teachers who can speak Spanish are in great demand in some parts of the country.

Employers prefer applicants who can work with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Tips

Volunteer as a teacher's aide to gain experience working with children. Be willing to learn new things throughout your career. Teachers must be prepared to work with children who may have difficult family lives.

Costs to workers

Some teachers may be required to join a union and pay quarterly dues. Teachers usually pay for their own continuing education classes.

Licensing/certification

All public and private school teachers must be certified by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The certification for a new teacher who is completing or has completed an in-state teacher training program is the residency first issue teacher certificate.

Requirements for a residency first issue certificate for entry-level teachers include:

being age 18 or older;
evidence of good moral character and personal fitness;
passing a background check which requires submitting two fingerprint cards (waived if applicant has had record check within two years of applying);
a bachelor's degree from regionally accredited college or university;
completion of an approved college/university teacher education program, which includes teaching methodology, content, and an internship;
completion of a major (60-quarter hours or 40-semester hours) in one of six broad endorsement areas (the arts, English/language arts, health-fitness, mathematics, science, or social studies);
passing a basic skills test;
passing a content test on the subject matter for each endorsement; and
submission of an application and paying a fee.

The first issue certificate is good for five years. Teaching must take place at a state approved public or private school. To renew the residency certificate, 100 hours of approved continuing education, including 10 hours of STEM related training, must be completed every five years.

School districts may require a background check and fingerprinting for employment, even if the applicant has a certificate granted by the State. Fingerprinting is available at any of the nine regional Educational Service District (ESD) offices. Each ESD may add an additional processing fee.

For more information on certification, contact:

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Professional Education and Certification (external link)
Old Capitol Building
PO Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
360.725.6400

2/10/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

The base salary for public school elementary teachers in Washington is $54,372 per year. Private kindergartens usually pay less than public school systems, but this can vary depending on the type of school.

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

#Updated Elementary Teacher wage from OSPI School District Personnel Summary Report 3/9/12 lh & 4/22/13, 3/23/15, 4/3/17, 4/4/19 cj.

Kindergarten teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2012)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$43,320	$51,030	$63,350	$74,260	$80,610
Bellingham	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$47,034	$56,585	$68,068	$76,712	$81,907
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$45,961	$54,454	$69,867	$82,153	$95,378
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$43,260	$48,230	$58,816	$72,057	$79,958
Longview	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$41,656	$47,645	$58,557	$72,027	$83,406
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$46,222	$54,065	$68,761	$76,910	$81,801
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$45,830	$53,546	$63,912	$74,577	$80,969
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$44,905	$53,620	$65,421	$76,123	$82,609
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$43,740	$52,893	$67,797	$76,780	$82,263
Vancouver	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$47,704	$57,982	$73,220	$94,197	$111,270
Walla Walla	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$41,851	$51,927	$63,987	$73,749	$79,457
Wenatchee	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$44,077	$49,626	$62,633	$74,348	$80,680
Yakima	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$41,164	$46,357	$56,609	$70,168	$78,661
United States	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	$35,680	$44,310	$55,470	$69,420	$86,310

(1) Wage estimate is not available.

Preschool teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2011)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.88	$12.88	$15.16	$17.83	$20.52
	Monthly	$2,059	$2,232	$2,627	$3,090	$3,556
	Yearly	$24,710	$26,780	$31,530	$37,100	$42,670
Bellingham	Hourly	$12.09	$12.96	$14.58	$17.57	$21.27
	Monthly	$2,095	$2,246	$2,527	$3,045	$3,686
	Yearly	$25,136	$26,960	$30,321	$36,554	$44,252
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$12.25	$13.25	$14.97	$17.68	$19.29
	Monthly	$2,123	$2,296	$2,594	$3,064	$3,343
	Yearly	$25,485	$27,554	$31,127	$36,774	$40,122
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$9.10	$10.84	$12.14	$14.22	$18.71
	Monthly	$1,577	$1,879	$2,104	$2,464	$3,242
	Yearly	$18,916	$22,539	$25,238	$29,574	$38,908
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$11.79	$11.91	$12.51	$13.99	$14.95
	Monthly	$2,043	$2,064	$2,168	$2,424	$2,591
	Yearly	$24,527	$24,779	$26,027	$29,104	$31,081
Longview	Hourly	$11.86	$12.10	$12.73	$14.51	$15.72
	Monthly	$2,055	$2,097	$2,206	$2,515	$2,724
	Yearly	$24,672	$25,162	$26,466	$30,167	$32,696
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$11.76	$11.84	$11.97	$12.40	$14.25
	Monthly	$2,038	$2,052	$2,074	$2,149	$2,470
	Yearly	$24,466	$24,627	$24,912	$25,790	$29,653
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$11.79	$11.92	$12.43	$15.45	$18.85
	Monthly	$2,043	$2,066	$2,154	$2,677	$3,267
	Yearly	$24,533	$24,796	$25,860	$32,152	$39,218
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$12.85	$14.29	$16.53	$18.65	$21.94
	Monthly	$2,227	$2,476	$2,865	$3,232	$3,802
	Yearly	$26,736	$29,725	$34,378	$38,801	$45,624
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$11.92	$12.27	$13.76	$16.42	$20.80
	Monthly	$2,066	$2,126	$2,385	$2,846	$3,605
	Yearly	$24,810	$25,517	$28,615	$34,156	$43,248
Vancouver	Hourly	$11.57	$12.37	$14.40	$16.99	$19.00
	Monthly	$2,005	$2,144	$2,496	$2,944	$3,293
	Yearly	$24,063	$25,725	$29,946	$35,344	$39,513
Walla Walla	Hourly	$12.46	$13.43	$15.02	$19.87	$25.13
	Monthly	$2,159	$2,327	$2,603	$3,443	$4,355
	Yearly	$25,931	$27,930	$31,229	$41,326	$52,266
Wenatchee	Hourly	$11.97	$12.28	$13.25	$14.54	$16.73
	Monthly	$2,074	$2,128	$2,296	$2,520	$2,899
	Yearly	$24,906	$25,533	$27,563	$30,250	$34,782
Yakima	Hourly	$12.06	$12.61	$14.54	$17.91	$21.25
	Monthly	$2,090	$2,185	$2,520	$3,104	$3,683
	Yearly	$25,074	$26,220	$30,251	$37,254	$44,203
United States	Hourly	$9.91	$11.56	$14.32	$18.78	$26.61
	Monthly	$1,717	$2,003	$2,482	$3,255	$4,612
	Yearly	$20,610	$24,040	$29,780	$39,060	$55,350

Wages vary based on the teacher's education and years of experience. The wages for preschool teachers are lower than those for kindergarten teachers. This is because kindergarten teachers must have a college education or a license. Preschool teachers, in contrast, need only a high school diploma. Wages also vary by the type of employer and the area of the country.

Benefits also vary. Benefits are often minimal for preschool teachers. However, some employers offer full benefits, such as paid vacation and health insurance, for full-time preschool teachers. Full-time and some part-time kindergarten teachers in public school systems receive these benefits.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2012)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	9,864	16.3%	16.1%	1,350
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	513	17.0%	13.4%	71
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	574	2.4%	8.6%	58
Benton and Franklin Counties	688	17.9%	15.0%	96
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	283	11.3%	11.9%	35
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	494	17.8%	15.2%	70
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	842	18.6%	14.1%	120
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	960	17.7%	14.6%	135
King County	2,338	18.7%	19.6%	334
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	374	18.2%	13.8%	53
Pierce County	974	17.0%	15.2%	136
Snohomish County	652	18.7%	12.4%	93
Spokane County	894	7.8%	13.9%	103
United States	134,500	3.9%	5.2%	14,300

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2011)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	12,563	21.9%	16.1%	1,895
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	457	24.7%	13.4%	72
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	262	18.3%	8.6%	37
Benton and Franklin Counties	355	27.9%	15.0%	59
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	416	18.3%	11.9%	59
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	765	23.9%	15.2%	119
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	436	20.4%	14.1%	64
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	806	17.2%	14.6%	112
King County	4,636	22.5%	19.6%	706
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	598	22.7%	13.8%	91
Pierce County	1,409	17.5%	15.2%	196
Snohomish County	1,195	24.9%	12.4%	189
Spokane County	814	19.3%	13.9%	117
United States	523,600	7.0%	5.2%	58,100

National employment

Most kindergarten teachers work in public and private schools. More than half of all preschool teachers work in child day care services.

Major employers:

Child day care services
Elementary schools
Religious organizations

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be steady. The number of students in preschool and kindergarten is expected to increase over the coming decade. However, the growth rate varies by area of the country. States in the South and West--particularly Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Georgia--will have a large increase in the number of students. Another reason that demand is growing is that teacher-student ratios are declining.

Many openings will occur as current teachers retire. Job prospects are good for teachers who specialize in English as a Second Language (ESL) or special education.

Other resources

American Federation of Teachers
555 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.879.4400

Association for Early Learning Leaders
1250 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Bldg. 3, Ste. #400
Austin, TX 78746
800.537.1118

BLS 2018 Career Outlook for teachers

Child Care Aware of America
1515 N. Courthouse Road
3rd Floor
Arlington, VA 22201

Council for Professional Recognition
2460 - 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
800.424.4310
202.265.9090

Education World

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22209
703.465.2700

National Education Association
1201 - 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.833.4000

Student Program Make It Happen - Teach
(National Education Association resource)

Washington Education Association
PO Box 9100
Federal Way, WA 98063-9100
800.622.3393
253.941.6700

Washington Federation of Teachers
625 Andover Park West, Suite 111
Tukwila, WA 98188
206.242.4777

References

Career cluster

Education and Training

Career path

Social

O*Net occupations

O*Net job zones

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.