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Questions to Ask During a Preschool Teacher Interview

July 18, 2021 by Joy Anderson

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

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!

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  • Play & Learn
    ▼
    • Curriculum & Lesson Plans
    • By Activity
    • By Alphabet
    • By Bible Story
    • By Book
    • By Celebration
    • By Holiday
    • By Month
    • By Season
    • By Skill
    • By Theme
  • Milestones
    ▼
    • 2 Year Old
    • 3 Year Old
    • 4 Year Old
    • 5 Year Old
    • Developmental Delays
    • Growth & Development
    • Special Needs Children
  • Parent
    ▼
    • Behavior Guidance
    • Everyday Life
    • Family Life Events
    • Going to Kindergarten
    • Going to Preschool
    • Homeschool Preschool
  • Teacher
    ▼
    • Classroom Management
    • Classroom Setup & Layout
    • Daily Schedule
    • Field Trips & Events
    • How to Teach
    • Learning Centers
    • Parent Communication
    • Requirements to Teach
    • Teacher’s Lounge
  • Director/Owner
    ▼
    • Administration
    • Enrollment
    • Funding
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Parent Communication
    • Programs
    • Sell a Preschool
    • Staffing
  • Online Preschool
    ▼
    • Start an Online Preschool
    • Teach Online Preschool
  • Start A Preschool
    ▼
    • Do I Need to Be Licensed?
    • How Do I Sign Up Students?
    • How Do I Start a Preschool?
    • What are the Requirements?
    • What is a Preschool?
    • Who Can Start a Preschool?