Questions to Ask During a Preschool Teacher Interview

When you’re hiring a preschool teacher, you’ll need to ask these questions during a preschool teacher interview.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK

• Let’s start by getting to know you.  In a nutshell, what’s your story?
• (Ask questions about red flags brought up in cover letter, resume, or questionnaire)
• Tell me about your time at ________________________.  
• What do you love about teaching preschool?
• What do you not like about teaching preschool?
• What did you love most about your past preschool director?
• What did your past preschool director do that was frustrating to you?
• When you worked with other preschool teachers, what things did they do that were frustrating to you?

(If you need to fill in time, you can ask these questions)

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (look for passion and excitement)
• When I contact your last supervisor and ask which area of your work needs the most improvement, what will I learn?

(Close the interview when you have 3 minutes remaining with this last question)

• What questions do you have for us?

OTHER PERMISSIBLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Please note: I am not a lawyer, so do your own research. I found this info online in multiple places so it appears to be accurate.

NAME

May ask

• Ever used another name 
• Any additional information regarding an assumed name, changed name, or nickname necessary to enable a check on your work and education record 

May NOT ask

• Maiden name 

AGE

May ask:

• Are you 18 years or older? 
• If not, what is your age? 

May NOT ask until hired 

• Age 
• Birth date 
• Ages of your children 

NATIONAL ORIGIN

May ask

• Languages applicant reads, speaks, or writes, provided foreign language ability is job-related 

May NOT ask 

• Nationality, lineage, ancestry, national origin, place of birth of applicant, parents, spouse 
• What is your mother / native language, or the language that you most often speak 
• How applicant acquired foreign language ability 

COLOR/RACE/CLASS/ETHNIC ORIGIN/SEXUAL PREFERENCE

May ask

• NOTHING 

May NOT ask 

• Color/Race/Class/Ethnic Origin/Sexual Preference 
• Questions regarding color of applicant’s skin, eyes, hair 

CITIZENSHIP

May ask

• Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? 
• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)? 

May NOT ask

• The country of which applicant is a citizen 
• Whether applicant is a naturalized or native-born citizen 
• Date when applicant acquired citizenship 
• Applicant to produce naturalization papers 
• Whether applicant’s parents or spouse are naturalized or native-born U.S. citizens, or the date parents or spouse acquired citizenship 

SEX & MARITAL STATUS 

May ask

• Name and address of parent or guardian if applicant is a minor 
• May state the employer’s policy regarding work assignment of employees who are related: 
• May ask name of applicant’s relatives already employed by employer 

May NOT ask 

• Questions that would indicate applicant’s sex 
• Questions that would indicate applicant’s marital status 
• Number and/or ages of children or dependents 
• Questions regarding pregnancy, childbearing, or birth control 
• Name or address of relative, spouse, or children of adult applicant 

RELIGION 

May ask

• NOTHING 

May state

• The employer’s regular days, hours, and shifts 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION &/or ABILITY

May ask

• Height and weight, but only commensurate with the specific job requirements 

May NOT ask

• Applicants to furnish a photograph with the application 
• Applicants, at their option, to submit a photograph with the application 
• Applicant to furnish a photograph after the interview but before the job offer 

DISABILITY

May ask

• Whether applicant can perform essential functions of the job, either with or without accommodation 

May NOT ask

• If applicant has a disability 
• If applicant has ever been treated for any specific diseases 
• If applicant has, or has ever had, a drug or alcohol problem 

ARREST/CRIMINAL RECORD 

May ask

• If applicant has ever been convicted of a crime (if yes, may ask for details, but must be a direct relationship between the job and the offense in order to use conviction as basis for denial of job) 

May NOT ask

• Whether applicant has ever been arrested 

MEMBERSHIP IN ORGANIZATION 

May ask

• Memberships in organizations that applicant considers relevant to ability to perform the job 

May NOT ask

• All organizations, clubs, societies, and lodges to which applicant belongs 

MILITARY SERVICE 

May ask

• Questions regarding relevant skills applicant acquired during U.S. military service 
• Whether applicant received a dishonorable discharge 

May NOT ask

• Questions regarding service in a foreign military 

EDUCATION

May ask

• Applicant’s academic, vocational, or professional education 
• Schools applicant attended 

May NOT ask

• No relevant restrictions 
• Do NOT ask, until AFTER applicant is hired: 
  • dates of attendance 
  • dates of degrees obtained 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Should not ask: 

• No relevant restrictions 
• Questions about financial credit
• Questions about union membership
• Questions about financial status
• Questions about political philosophy or party membership

If you’d like to ask more questions during a preschool teacher interview, feel free!