Preschool Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

1. Why do you want to be a preschool teacher?

Sample answer: “I love watching children figure things out for the first time. Last year, a 3-year-old in my class who wouldn’t speak in group time started leading our morning song by spring. Being part of growth like that is why I do this work.”

Tip: Share a specific moment. Directors hear “I love kids” all day.

2. How do you handle a child who is hitting or biting?

Sample answer: “First I make sure the hurt child is safe and comforted. Then I calmly tell the other child, ‘I won’t let you bite. Biting hurts.’ Later I look for patterns, like whether it happens when they’re tired or during transitions, and I share what I notice with families and my co-teacher.”

Tip: Show that you protect children first, stay calm, and look for the cause.

3. How do you plan activities for children with different needs?

Sample answer: “I plan around one learning goal, then offer different ways in. For a counting activity, some children count bears, some sort them by color, and some make patterns. I watch who’s ready for more challenge and who needs support.”

4. How do you communicate with families?

Sample answer: “I share something positive at pickup most days, even if it’s small. When I have a concern, I bring it up early, privately, and with a specific example, then ask what the family sees at home.”

5. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a co-teacher.

Sample answer: “My co-teacher and I handled transitions differently, and the children were confused. We talked during nap, agreed on one routine with a song and a visual timer, and transitions got much smoother.”

Tip: Show that you resolve conflict directly and keep the focus on the children.

6. How do you keep children safe during outdoor time?

Sample answer: “I do name-to-face counts when we go out and come back in, position myself so I can see the whole area, and stay off my phone. I also check the playground for hazards before children go out.”

7. Why do you want to work here?

Sample answer: “I read about your play-based curriculum, and that matches how I teach. I also noticed you sponsor the CDA, and I’d like to keep growing as a teacher.”

Tip: Look up the school before your interview and mention something specific.

Questions to ask them

• What does a typical day look like in this classroom?
• How do you support new teachers in their first few months?
• What training or credential support do you offer?
• What do you like most about working here?

Before you apply, polish your resume with our preschool teacher resume tips.