Are you planning to apply for a pre-school teacher position? Many preschools look for the following traits in a prospective preschool teacher.
Organizational skills: One of the most important skills that a preschool teacher would need is organization. There would be a number of things that you need to keep track of – papers, supplies, equipment – and you should be good at record keeping. In short, you should have a place for everything if you want to keep on top of the stuff.
Love for children: Spending 8 to10 hours a day with children under 5 years old is not everyone’s cup of tea unless you love being with children. You should have a positive outlook and be able to communicate with children well. That brings us to…
Communication Skills: When you’re a pre-school teacher, it’s not just the toddlers that you have to talk to. You will have to speak with at least 3 generations (the toddlers, their parents, and grandparents). Your communication skills and the ability to speak with a wide range of age groups is essential when you work this job.
Patience: Spills, sticky messes, accidents, children who refuse to get along, and sometimes demanding parents require that you have a never-ending supply of patience.
Certifications and Degrees: Along with the above traits, some states require you to have first aid and/or CPR certification and at least a high school diploma. In addition, all public preschool teachers should be licensed. To be a lead teacher or director, in many cases, a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is required.
The requirements for a pre-school teacher vary from state to state. A search at your local education office or speaking to the place you apply to should be able to help you with the correct details.
