Preschool and day care teacher: how to train and review the role
Cares for and teaches young children through play, rhymes, routines and early skills. Keeps them safe, clean and happy, and updates parents. Works with an aaya or helper and reports to the centre head or coordinator.
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Share your requirementsWho usually fills this role
Often from early childhood diploma courses, graduates or women returning to work who are good with children. Hire on warmth and alertness. At selection, watch the candidate with children in a trial hour, ask about handling a crying child and toilet accidents, and check how clearly she speaks to parents.
Skills ladder
Stage 1
New joiner
- Welcomes children, follows the daily routine and keeps children in sight
- Helps with toilet, hand washing and meals the centre's way
- Sings, tells stories and guides simple activities
Stage 2
Independent
- Plans play activities for the week and tracks each child's development
- Handles crying, biting or fear calmly
- Gives parents a short, kind daily update
Stage 3
Senior or lead
- Plans themes, handles special needs with the coordinator and supports parents in hard cases
- Trains helpers and new teachers
- Spots signs of concern in a child and follows the reporting steps
Training path
First weeks
- 1
Child safety and care rules
The centre head explains safe handling, pick-up checks, toilet rules, allergies and the incident log. The new teacher signs a rules sheet and answers scenario questions.
- 2
Daily routine
A senior teacher takes the new teacher through arrival, snack, play, rest and departure. She shadows for several days, then leads one part with the senior watching.
- 3
Hygiene and feeding
The coordinator shows hand washing, diaper or toilet steps and feeding care. The teacher demonstrates each step and is checked on a sign-off list.
First year
- 1
Play-based activities
The coordinator teaches simple craft, rhymes and sensory activities. The teacher plans one week of activities and receives feedback on age fit and safety.
- 2
Observing children
The teacher keeps brief notes on each child's speech, movement and mixing. The coordinator reviews notes and asks what she would do for one child.
- 3
Talking to parents
The coordinator coaches short, kind updates and how to handle worry about delays. The teacher practises with scripts and joins a real meeting with support.
Towards senior
- 1
Special needs and referrals
The coordinator explains when and how to raise concerns with parents and which specialist to suggest. The teacher practises a gentle conversation with an example.
- 2
Coaching helpers
The teacher shows the aaya how to handle toilet steps and gentle talk. The head checks that helpers follow rules without being reminded.
- 3
Emergency drills
The head runs fire and first-aid drills. The teacher leads a drill for her room with a checklist.
Performance review
Frequent informal observation by the coordinator, a monthly check of child notes and activity plans, and a written half-yearly review that includes parent feedback.
What to measure
| Measure | How it is seen |
|---|---|
| Child safety practice | Observation and incident log |
| Warmth and engagement | Observation of interactions with children |
| Activity planning | Weekly plans and what was actually done |
| Child observation notes | Sample of notes for each child |
| Parent communication | Parent feedback and daily update records |
| Hygiene and routine | Checklists and observation |
Evidence to bring
- Daily routine and attendance sheet
- Incident or accident log
- Weekly activity plans
- Child observation notes
- Parent feedback
Questions to ask in the review
- Which child needs most help from you?
- How did you handle the hardest morning this period?
- What worries you about safety in your room?
- Which activity worked best?
- How do parents react to your updates?
- What helps you stay calm?
- What would you like to learn?
- How well does the aaya work with you?
Pitfalls
- Treating the role as babysitting and giving no training
- Not including the aaya in training, though she often handles toilet and safety
- Reviewing only on parent satisfaction, which favours pleasing over doing right
- Leaving a new teacher alone with a large group in the first week
Questions about this role
Observe unannounced during arrival, toilet and pick-up. Check the incident log and have her explain what she would do in a scenario.
It helps but is not the only route. Test warmth, alertness and willingness to learn, and train on the centre's rules. Check any legal requirements with your adviser.
Use scripts and role play, attend a meeting with the coordinator and review after a few meetings. Reduce her solo parent contact until she is confident.