How to Conduct a Meaningful Teacher Interview in Early Childhood Education

Hiring the right teacher for your school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a childcare director or center owner. A teacher’s role goes beyond lesson plans and classroom management—they’re responsible for creating a positive, engaging learning environment, supporting student needs, and fostering relationships with children and families that promote growth and development. When conducting a teacher interview, you need to dig deep into the educator’s teaching philosophy, communication skills, and ability to align with your school’s mission, culture and values.

In this blog, we’ll explore strategies for conducting meaningful teacher interviews that help you identify the right candidate for your teaching position. Whether you’re hiring for a new teacher or looking for someone to fill a part-time position for the upcoming school year, these teacher interview tips will help you gain insight into the candidate’s qualifications, teaching style, and potential fit within your school’s culture.

1. Prepare in Advance

Before you begin the interview process, it’s essential to know exactly what you are looking for. Take time to thoroughly review the resumes and cover letters of your candidates. Look for key qualifications, such as their early childhood education degree, length and type of experience, and any relevant certifications, especially in areas like special education or educational leadership that may be important for the role.

Consider the following:

• Your school’s mission statement: When planning interview questions, align them with your center’s teaching philosophy and core values. What principles and initiatives shape your school’s culture? Framing questions around these will help you assess whether a candidate’s mindset, teaching style, and priorities align with your school’s mission and long-term goals.
• The teaching position’s requirements: What specific skills and qualifications are essential for this role? Does the candidate have direct experience working with the relevant age group or in the required area—whether it’s classroom instruction, kitchen support, or supply staffing? Determine whether you’re seeking an aspiring educator eager to develop their skills or a seasoned professional who can make an immediate impact.
• Special needs and inclusion: If your school supports learners with diverse needs, ask targeted questions to assess the candidate’s experience, training, and comfort level in special education. Gauge their ability to adapt instruction, implement support strategies, and foster an inclusive learning environment.
• Professional development: Does the candidate actively seek growth opportunities and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning? Look for evidence of ongoing professional development, such as certifications, workshops, or mentorship experiences, that enhance their skills and expertise.

Incorporating these elements into your preparation will help you build a solid foundation for the interview.

2. Asking the Right Teacher Interview Questions

Once you have had the time to think through the interview experience that you want to create and the type of educator you are looking for, it’s time to focus on asking the right teacher interview questions that will confidently help you assess the candidate’s qualifications and teaching style. Here are some key areas to explore during the interview process and types of questions you can ask:

Teaching Philosophy

Understanding a candidate’s teaching philosophy is critical to determining whether they will be a good fit for your school. You need to gauge how the candidate believes young children learn best and how they approach their teaching practice. Ask questions such as:

• What is your teaching philosophy?
• How do you engage students within the learning process?
• What teaching strategies do you use to promote play-based learning?

Classroom Management

Effective classroom management is key to creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for young children. Early childhood educators must balance structure with flexibility, using positive guidance strategies to support social-emotional development and encourage active learning. Consider asking:

• How do you create a structured yet engaging environment that supports young children’s learning and development?
• Can you share a specific example of how you handled a challenging behavior or classroom transition in an early childhood setting?

Communication Skills

Strong communication is essential for early childhood educators—not just with young children, but also with families, colleagues, and school leadership. Clear, compassionate communication helps build trust, foster collaboration, build positive relationships and support each child’s unique development. Consider asking:

• How do you communicate with parents and caregivers about a child’s progress, challenges, and achievements?
• Can you share an example of how you collaborated with fellow educators or support staff to address a child’s developmental or learning needs?

Student Engagement and Learning Environment

Effective teachers know how to create an engaging learning environment that encourages active participation. You should look for candidates who understand how to foster student engagement through different activities and strategies. Consider these questions:

• How do you keep young children motivated and engaged throughout their learning experiences?
• How do you create an inclusive learning environment for all students?
• Can you provide a specific example of how you differentiated instruction for different learning levels?
• How do you support group work and positive relationship building between young children in your classroom?

Problem-Solving Skills

Flexibility and quick thinking are essential for early childhood educators, who often navigate unpredictable situations in the classroom. Ask questions that reveal how a candidate manages challenges with young children and collaborates with colleagues:

• How do you support a child who is struggling with behaviour, social-emotional development, or learning milestones?
• Can you share an example of how you worked with a co-teacher or support staff to address a classroom challenge?

Evaluating Experience and Teaching Examples

Beyond theoretical knowledge, a strong candidate should demonstrate real-world experience in early childhood education. Asking for specific examples will help you assess their teaching philosophy in action.

• Lesson Planning & Teaching Methods: Ask candidates to share examples of lesson plans, activities, or play-based learning strategies they have used. This will help you assess their ability to create developmentally appropriate and engaging experiences.
• Real-World Teaching Experience: Request examples from their student teaching or previous roles, such as how they managed transitions, encouraged cooperative play, or handled unexpected classroom disruptions.
• Supporting Diverse Learners: If your program includes children with varying needs, ask how they have adapted activities, classroom routines, or teaching strategies to support children with different learning styles, abilities, or behavioural needs.

Assessing the Candidate’s Fit with Your School Culture

In early childhood education, strong teamwork and shared values are key to a supportive learning environment and promoting positive student learning. Consider asking:

• What type of early learning work environment do you thrive in?
• How do you integrate play-based learning and social-emotional development into your teaching?
• How do you build strong, collaborative relationships with co-teachers, staff, and families?

In addition to responses, observe the interviewee’s warmth, enthusiasm, and ability to engage in conversation—qualities that are essential for working with young children and their families.

Incorporating a Teaching Demonstration

Teaching demonstrations during job interviews can allow you to see how a candidate interacts with young learners and implements age-appropriate teaching strategies. You might ask them to lead a short activity, read a book during storytime, or lead children through a song at circle time. Pay attention to:

• Their ability to engage children through songs, movement, or interactive storytelling
• How they foster participation and manage transitions
• Their use of conversational prompts and materials to enhance learning

A hands-on demonstration provides valuable insight into a candidate’s teaching style, creativity, and classroom presence.

Evaluating Commitment to Professional Growth in Early Childhood Education

Great early childhood educators are lifelong learners who seek opportunities to refine their skills and stay updated on best practices. Consider asking:

• What professional development workshops or certifications have you pursued recently?
• How do you stay informed about the latest research in early childhood education?
• What areas of professional growth are you most passionate about?

Candidates who actively seek learning opportunities are more likely to bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to your team.

Ending the Interview with Candidate Questions

Encourage candidates to ask questions during the teaching interview to help them learn more about your program, philosophy, and team. Their questions can reveal their interests and priorities. Consider asking:

• What excites you most about this opportunity?
• How do you see yourself contributing to our early learning community?
• What do you want to know about our center and community? 

Conclusion: Making the Right Hire for Your Center

Conducting a meaningful teacher interview is about more than just filling a teaching job. It’s about finding that stand out teacher who aligns with your school’s culture, can effectively manage a busy classroom, and understands the teaching methods and philosophy that will contribute to a positive learning environment. By asking the right teacher interview questions, evaluating specific examples from the candidate’s experience, and ensuring a strong cultural fit, you can identify the ideal educator for your center.

Remember, the teacher interview process is just one part of the equation. After the interview, consider checking references and continuing to evaluate the candidate’s fit for the role. A thorough hiring process will ensure that your school is equipped with the best teachers, ready to support and inspire your students.

For more resources on early education and best practices, explore our collection of blogs and resources tailored to educators and parents alike.