You wouldn’t let just anyone take care of your child, but how do you find high-quality teachers that will also support your child? As a childcare center with over 65 years of experience, here are the five ways we have ensured our preschool program educators are the best ones around:
- Thorough hiring process
- Teachers with experience in early childhood education
- Safety training
- Continuing education program requirements
- Conscious Discipline training
A childcare center with these requirements is more likely to hire high-quality staff that will help your child thrive. Let’s dive a little deeper into what each of these signs entail.
Thorough Hiring Process
First and foremost, a childcare center needs to be a safe place for your child to learn and grow. This starts with hiring the right teachers and staff members. When you go to tour a preschool program, be sure to ask about their hiring process. This should include:
- Several interviews
- Background checks
- Training period where the hire is never left alone with children
During this hiring process, administrators should also ascertain if potential candidates share in their passion for childcare. Teachers who are devoted to the well-being of children are more likely to be present, engaged, and supportive of their students. This passion will also help teachers foster meaningful relationships with children and their parents. When children and parents feel valued, they are more likely to thrive in their preschool program and at home.
Teachers with Experience in Early Childhood Education
If a childcare center cares for children, but doesn’t educate them, it’s not a preschool program; it’s a daycare. While there’s nothing wrong with daycares, they do not provide the same level of kindergarten readiness preschool programs do. This preparation starts with the childcare center’s educators. The strongest teachers have experience in early childhood education and a degree in early education or a related field. This gives them the expertise to:
- Create age-appropriate lesson plans
- Implement daily curriculum
- Collaborate with parents on a child’s progress
- Stay up to date on the latest education trends
Teacher appreciation largely comes from children feeling valued, but it also comes from children feeling like they are learning. Your little one gets great satisfaction from learning something new, so it’s important to find a preschool program with teachers who can help make that happen.
Safety Training
Being a teacher at a preschool program isn’t just about lesson plans and playtime, it’s also about keeping children safe. Every teacher at a childcare center should undergo safety training to ensure they know what to do in case of emergency. Such training and certifications include:
- CPR certification
- First aid certification
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) training
- Training to spot signs of abuse
Everyone who works with children at a preschool program should have these certifications or trainings to ensure your little one’s safety.
Continuing Education Program Requirements
Teachers work hard to care for and educate your children, and oftentimes they’re educating themselves at the same time. Many preschool programs require their teachers to take ongoing continuing education programs to stay up to date on the latest childcare strategies. Some preschool programs, like Kiddi Kollege, may even hold regular staff meetings to share new knowledge with other teachers or invite guest speakers to continue developing childcare skills. When teachers take their own education so seriously, this is a strong sign that they will treat your child’s learning just as importantly.
Conscious Discipline Training
Children look up to their teachers in more ways than one. Yes, they look to their teachers for answers and learning, but children also reflect the behavior of the adults they spend the most time with. Because of this, preschool programs like Kiddi Kollege require all educators to be trained in Conscious Discipline. This strategy helps teach educators how to stay calm when emotions run high. And let’s face it, children with big emotions can bring up big emotions in all of us. But by learning how to regulate their own feelings, teachers can better help children regulate theirs and model how to do so. After all, children watch everything adults do, so it’s up to their teachers to show them how to express their big feelings.
Preschool Program Educators FAQs
What makes a high-quality preschool program different from a daycare?
A high-quality preschool program focuses on education, development, and kindergarten readiness, not just supervision. It uses structured lesson plans, trained educators, and age-appropriate curriculum to support learning and growth.
Why are lesson plans important in a preschool program?
Lesson plans ensure children are learning intentionally each day. Well-designed lesson plans support cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development while keeping activities engaging and age appropriate.
How can I tell if teachers are properly trained?
When touring a childcare center, ask about teacher credentials, early childhood education experience, safety certifications, and whether the center requires a continuing education program for staff.
What is a continuing education program for preschool teachers?
A continuing education program requires teachers to complete ongoing training to stay current on early childhood best practices, classroom management, safety, and child development strategies.
Why is teacher appreciation important in early childhood education?
Teacher appreciation helps educators feel valued, supported, and motivated. When teachers feel appreciated, they are more engaged, patient, and invested in your child’s preschool program.
What is Teacher Appreciation Day?
Teacher Appreciation Day is a dedicated day to recognize and thank educators for their commitment, care, and hard work in supporting children’s development and learning.
What is Teacher Appreciation Week?
Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual celebration that honors teachers throughout the week with special recognition, small gestures, and expressions of gratitude from families and schools.
Why is safety training essential for preschool teachers?
Safety training ensures teachers know how to respond to emergencies, recognize potential risks, and maintain a secure learning environment for every child in the preschool program.
How does Conscious Discipline support classroom learning?
Conscious Discipline helps teachers manage emotions, guide behavior positively, and model self-regulation, creating a calmer classroom where learning can thrive.
Ready to Enhance Your Child’s Learning Experience?
High-quality teachers play a big role in your child’s early development, but they aren’t the only ones who do so. Your child is constantly watching and learning from you without you even knowing it. That can place a lot of pressure on you to best help your child develop. If you want ideas on how you can help your child learn and grow, sign up for our monthly newsletter. You’ll start having fun with and helping your child learn in no time!
