How to Be Preschool Substitute Teacher - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 18, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Preschool Substitute Teacher has an important role in the educational development of young children. By being able to successfully step in for a regular teacher, they help maintain a consistent learning environment and curriculum for students, ensuring that the school's expectations are met and that the children are getting the best education possible. This, in turn, leads to a positive school climate, improved student achievement, and greater parent satisfaction with their child's educational experience. Additionally, having a reliable substitute teacher allows for more flexibility for the regular teacher to attend professional development opportunities or take a personal day without disrupting student learning.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. Most school districts require a high school diploma or GED in order to become a preschool substitute teacher.
Obtain a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). Some states may require applicants to have this credential in order to become a preschool substitute teacher.
Complete a State-Approved Training Course. Most states require applicants to complete a state-approved training course before becoming a preschool substitute teacher.
Pass a Background Check. Most school districts require applicants to pass a background check before being hired as a preschool substitute teacher.
Apply for an Open Position. Once you have completed the necessary training and background check, you can apply for an open position as a preschool substitute teacher.
Complete On-the-Job Training. After being hired as a preschool substitute teacher, you may need to complete additional on-the-job training before you can begin teaching.

Preschool substitute teachers must stay updated and competent in order to provide quality instruction for their students. It is important for substitute teachers to continually expand their knowledge and skillset by pursuing continuing education opportunities. This can include taking online courses in early childhood education, attending conferences, and attending seminars related to the subject matter.

it is important for a substitute teacher to stay abreast of current trends in the field, so they can be prepared to support their students with the latest information and resources. By remaining knowledgeable and up-to-date, a preschool substitute teacher can effectively carry out their duties and provide an engaging learning environment for their students.

You may want to check Preschool After-School Program Coordinator, Preschool Teacher Assistant, and Preschool Fundraising Coordinator for alternative.

Job Description

Prepare and implement lesson plans for preschoolers.
Supervise, evaluate and provide feedback to preschoolers.
Develop age-appropriate activities and materials to engage preschoolers.
Monitor the safety and well-being of the preschoolers.
Maintain communication with parents and guardians.
Manage student behavior in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Ensure a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for the children.
Collaborate with other staff members to ensure the smooth operation of the classroom.
Assist with special projects, trips, and events, as needed.
Follow all relevant health and safety guidelines.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication skills
Ability to follow lesson plans
Patience and understanding of young children
Knowledge of early childhood development
Ability to handle challenging behavior
Creative problem-solving skills
Ability to work with a team
Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances
Knowledge of health and safety standards
Ability to create a safe and nurturing learning environment

Being a successful preschool substitute teacher requires a variety of skills, including excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of child development. Communication is essential in order to effectively manage the classroom, build relationships with students, and develop positive relationships with parents. Patience is necessary to handle the challenges of working with young children and to help them navigate their emotions and behavior.

Creativity is important to craft activities that engage and entertain children, while also promoting learning. Finally, a deep understanding of child development is important in order to know how best to respond to childrens needs and use age-appropriate teaching methods. These skills, taken together, are essential for any substitute teacher to be successful in the preschool setting.

Preschool Occupational Therapist, Preschool Maintenance Worker, and Preschool Math Teacher are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with young children?
How would you handle a disruptive preschool student?
What strategies do you use to engage children in learning?
What methods do you use to manage a classroom of preschoolers?
Describe an activity or lesson plan you have implemented in the past.
How would you respond to a parent who has a concern about their childs behavior?
What safety protocols do you follow when working with preschoolers?
How do you ensure each child is receiving individual attention and participating in the activities?
How do you foster an environment of respect and cooperation among students?
What challenges have you faced working with preschoolers and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Classroom Management Software. A program designed to help manage a classroom, providing features such as attendance tracking, student grading, and curriculum development. (eg: Blackboard Classroom)
Online Collaboration Platforms. Software designed to facilitate collaboration between teachers and students, providing features such as virtual whiteboards, shared documents, and video conferencing. (eg: Google Classroom)
Educational Games. Games that are designed to teach academic concepts in a fun and engaging way. (eg: Math Adventure)
Learning Management Systems. Software that allows teachers to create online courses, manage student progress, and assign assignments. (eg: Canvas LMS)
Assessment Tools. Software designed to help teachers assess student knowledge and track progress over time. (eg: Socrative)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE)
National Head Start Association (NHSA)
Council for Professional Recognition (CPR)
Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
Early Childhood educators of Ontario (ECEO)
International Preschool Curriculum (IPC)
National Association for the Education of Young Children/Program for Infant Toddler Care (NAEYC/PITC)
National Association of State Directors of Early Childhood Education and Care (NASDECEC)

We also have Preschool Nutritionist, Preschool Science Teacher, and Preschool Receptionist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Early Childhood Education. The process of teaching and nurturing young children ages 0-5. It focuses on providing a safe, stimulating and developmentally appropriate environment to help children reach their full potential.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice. A set of principles that guide teachers in designing appropriate activities and curricula for young childrens learning and development.
Developmental Domains. Areas of development that are important for young children's growth and learning, including physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional and creative.
Lesson Planning. The process of creating a plan for teaching a specific topic or activity. It involves setting objectives, selecting activities and materials, and anticipating possible challenges.
Classroom Management. Strategies used by teachers to ensure that the classroom is a safe, organized, and respectful learning environment.
Assessment. The process of gathering information about a student's learning and understanding in order to inform instruction and provide feedback to parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are necessary to become a Preschool Substitute Teacher?

Generally, a preschool substitute teacher must hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent and have some form of prior experience working with children. Depending on the state, additional qualifications such as a childcare certification or completion of a child development course may also be required.

What are the responsibilities of a Preschool Substitute Teacher?

A preschool substitute teacher is responsible for providing instruction and guidance to children in the absence of the regular classroom teacher. This includes teaching basic academic and social skills, overseeing activities and enforcing classroom rules.

What qualities should a Preschool Substitute Teacher possess?

A preschool substitute teacher should be patient, organized, creative, flexible, and have strong communication skills. They should also be able to think on their feet and adjust quickly to any changes in the classroom environment.

How often do Preschool Substitute Teachers work?

This depends on the needs of the preschool or school district. Substitute teachers may be called upon to fill in for an entire semester or just a single day.

How much do Preschool Substitute Teachers typically earn?

Earnings vary depending on the district and level of experience, but typically range from $10 - $20 an hour.

Web Resources

What Do Substitute Preschool Teachers Do: Daily Work & Skills www.franklin.edu
Substitute Preschool Teachers: How to Become One - franklin.edu www.franklin.edu
Substitute Employment Opportunities | Chicago Public Schools www.cps.edu