Preschool Teacher Interview Questions and Scoring Matrix

Preschool Teacher Interview Questions
Interview Questions and Scoring Matrix

There are a total of 14 questions on this form. You do not need to use all of them.
1. Tell us about your experience working with children in an early

childhood education setting.
Scoring Criteria: Depth of experience, diversity in age groups and settings, ability to articulate key
learning outcomes.
Scoring Guide:
 Limited experience or depth (1-2 points)
 Moderate experience with some variety (3-4 points)
 Extensive and diverse experience, with clear articulation of impacts and learnings (5 points)
2. How do you approach classroom management and discipline in a

preschool setting? You have kids running and screaming around the
room. What do you do?
Scoring Criteria: Understanding of positive discipline, classroom management strategies, and
examples of implementation.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic understanding with generic strategies (1-2 points)
 Good understanding with specific strategies and some examples (3-4 points)
 Comprehensive understanding with a wide range of strategies and detailed examples (5
points)
3. Can you describe a particularly challenging situation with a child or

parent and how you handled it?
Scoring Criteria: Problem-solving skills, empathy, communication skills, outcome of the situation.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic problem-solving with a satisfactory outcome (1-2 points)
 Good problem-solving with effective communication and a positive outcome (3-4 points)
 Exceptional problem-solving with high empathy, effective communication, and a highly positive
outcome (5 points)
4. What is your approach to incorporating diversity and inclusion into

your teaching practices?
Scoring Criteria: Understanding and value of diversity and inclusion, practical examples of
incorporation.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic understanding with few or no examples (1-2 points)
 Good understanding with some practical examples (3-4 points)
 Deep understanding with a wide range of examples and practices (5 points)
5. How do you stay current with the latest developments in early

childhood education?
Scoring Criteria: Commitment to professional development, examples of recent learnings or
certifications.
Scoring Guide:
 Limited efforts towards professional development (1-2 points)
 Moderate efforts with some examples of recent learnings (3-4 points)
 Strong commitment with multiple examples of continued education and application of recent
developments (5 points)
6. Describe a lesson or project you are particularly proud of. What was
its impact on the children?
Scoring Criteria: Creativity, understanding of educational goals, ability to measure and articulate
impact.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic lesson with limited impact (1-2 points)
 A creative lesson with good educational value and some measured impact (3-4 points)
 A highly creative and impactful lesson with a detailed explanation of educational goals and
clear, significant impact (5 points)
7. How do you differentiate your teaching to meet the needs of

children with varying abilities and learning styles?
Scoring Criteria: Understanding of differentiated instruction, examples of adaptation to various needs.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic understanding, generic examples (1-2 points)
 Good understanding, specific strategies for different needs (3-4 points)
 Excellent understanding, comprehensive adaptation strategies with clear, impactful examples
(5 points)
8. What strategies do you use to engage parents and families in their

children's education?
Scoring Criteria: Communication skills, strategies for parent engagement, and examples of successful
implementation.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic communication skills, few strategies (1-2 points)
 Good communication skills, and several effective strategies (3-4 points)
 Excellent communication skills, diverse and successful engagement strategies with impactful
examples (5 points)
9. Describe how you incorporate play into learning. Can you share an
example?
Scoring Criteria: Understanding of play-based learning, creativity, and effectiveness of
implementation.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic understanding, simple examples (1-2 points)
 Good understanding, creative and somewhat effective examples (3-4 points)
 Excellent understanding, highly creative and effective implementation with significant impact (5
points)
10. How do you assess the progress of your students? What measures
do you use to ensure development?
Scoring Criteria: Knowledge of assessment techniques, application to individual and group progress,
and examples of adjustments based on assessments.
Scoring Guide:
 Basic knowledge, generic measures (1-2 points)
 Good knowledge, specific and effective assessment techniques (3-4 points)
 Comprehensive knowledge of, and a wide range of adaptive assessment techniques with
successful outcomes (5 points)
11. Can you give an example of a time you identified a child needing
additional support, and how you addressed it?
Scoring Criteria: Observational skills, intervention strategies, collaboration with others (e.g., parents,
specialists).
Scoring Guide:
 Basic observational skills, simple intervention (1-2 points)
 Good observational skills, effective intervention, and some collaboration (3-4 points)
 Excellent observational skills, highly effective intervention, and extensive collaboration for best
outcomes (5 points)
12. What role does technology play in your teaching and engaging
families, and how do you ensure it's used effectively?
Scoring Criteria: Understanding of technology in education, examples of effective use, strategies to
balance screen time and active learning.
Scoring Guide:
 Limited integration, basic understanding (1-2 points)
 Moderate integration, good understanding with effective examples (3-4 points)
 High-level integration, excellent understanding, diverse and effective use with balanced
approaches (5 points)
Guidance for Scoring During Interviews

Depth and Detail: High-scoring answers should not only showcase a comprehensive understanding
of early childhood education principles but also demonstrate the ability to apply these principles
through specific, detailed examples.
Innovative Approaches: Candidates who offer innovative solutions and strategies should be
awarded higher scores, particularly in integrating technology and play into learning.
Reflective Practice: Look for candidates who reflect on their experiences, learn from them, and
apply these learnings to improve their practice. Reflection and adaptability are key indicators of a
strong candidate.
Collaborative Spirit: High marks should go to candidates who emphasize collaboration, whether
with parents, colleagues, or external specialists, showing an understanding that education is a
community effort.
Child-Centric Focus: Ensure candidates are assessed on their commitment to putting the needs and
well-being of children first, tailoring their approaches to support each child's unique development.
Listen for Specifics: High-scoring answers should include specific examples, strategies, and
outcomes. The more detailed the response, the higher the potential score.
Evaluate Problem-Solving Skills: Pay attention to the candidate's ability to navigate challenges.
High scores are given to those who demonstrate effective problem-solving, empathy, and
communication.
Assess Passion and Commitment: Candidates who show a genuine passion for early childhood
education and a commitment to professional development should score higher.
Consider Adaptability: Those who provide examples of adapting their teaching strategies to meet
the diverse needs of children and the classroom environment should receive higher scores.
Look for a Child-Centered Approach: Candidates who prioritize the needs and well-being of
children in their teaching practices and interactions should be scored favorably.
Unconventional Question 1
"Imagine you have a budget constraint and need to create an engaging, educational activity for your
class of 20 preschoolers using only items you already have in your classroom. How would you
approach this challenge, and what activity would you propose?"
Scoring Criteria:
Creativity and Resourcefulness (1-5 points): Looks at the candidate's ability to think creatively and
use available resources in innovative ways. High scores are awarded for unique and engaging activity
ideas that effectively utilize classroom items.
Educational Value (1-5 points): Evaluates the proposed activity's ability to teach valuable skills or
concepts to preschoolers. High scores are given to activities that clearly articulate the educational
outcomes for the children.
Practicality and Implementation (1-5 points): Assesses how practically the candidate can
implement the proposed activity, considering factors like classroom management, safety, and
inclusivity. High scores are for activities that are feasible, safe, and inclusive for all students.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving (1-5 points): Measures the candidate's problem-solving
approach and adaptability in conceptualizing the activity. High scores are awarded to candidates who
demonstrate a thoughtful process in overcoming the budget constraint challenge.
Unconventional Question 2
"You've planned a day focused on the theme 'Under the Sea,' but upon arriving in the morning, you
find that all your prepared materials are unusable due to an unexpected water leak in your storage
area. With limited time before the children arrive, how would you quickly adapt your plan to still deliver
an engaging 'Under the Sea' learning experience using common classroom items?"
Scoring Criteria:
Innovativeness and Adaptability (1-5 points): Evaluates the candidate's ability to quickly pivot and
devise a new, engaging activity plan under unexpected circumstances. High scores for innovative and
adaptable solutions.
Resourcefulness and Creativity (1-5 points): Assesses how creatively the candidate uses
everyday classroom items to substitute for the original materials. High scores are for creative uses of
common items that maintain the thematic learning experience.
Educational and Engagement Value (1-5 points): Looks at the educational outcomes of the
adapted plan and how effectively it can engage preschoolers. High scores for plans that are both
educational and likely to capture the children’s interest and imagination.
Practicality and Safety (1-5 points): Considers the feasibility of the proposed activity, including how
quickly it can be set up, whether it is age-appropriate, and whether it can be conducted safely—high
scores for plans that are practical, safe, and easily implemented in a short timeframe.
Guidance for Scoring:

Comprehensive Answers: Look for answers that are not only creative and practical but also
demonstrate a deep understanding of early childhood education principles. The best responses will
clearly articulate how the activity is educational, engaging, and feasible.
Innovative Solutions: High marks should go to candidates who think outside the box, suggesting
activities that are unique and demonstrate an exceptional level of creativity and resourcefulness.
Reflective Thought Process: Pay attention to candidates who describe their thought process in
detail, showing how they evaluate different options, consider the needs and interests of their
students, and ultimately arrive at their solution.
Application of Educational Theories: While the question is unconventional, the best responses will
likely include references to educational theories or pedagogical principles, showing the candidate's
ability to apply their knowledge in practical, creative ways.
Detailed Problem-Solving: Reward candidates who clearly outline how they would assess their
available resources and quickly devise a plan. Look for thought processes that show an
understanding of the need for quick decision-making under pressure.
Educational Integrity: High scores should go to candidates who, despite the scenario's constraints,
ensure that the learning objectives of the 'Under the Sea' theme are still met. The best responses will
weave educational content seamlessly into the adapted activities.
Engagement Strategies: Consider how candidates propose to capture and maintain the children's
interest. High marks for those who integrate storytelling, role-play, or other interactive elements that
are likely to engage preschoolers deeply.
Reflective and Adaptive Thinking: Candidates who demonstrate an ability to reflect on the
challenge and adapt their teaching approach accordingly, considering both the limitations and the
potential of the situation, should receive higher scores. Look for answers that show resilience and a
positive attitude towards unexpected challenges.

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Preschool Teacher Interview Questions

Interview Questions and Scoring Matrix

1. Tell us about your experience working with children in an early

2. How do you approach classroom management and discipline in a

3. Can you describe a particularly challenging situation with a child or

4. What is your approach to incorporating diversity and inclusion into

5. How do you stay current with the latest developments in early

7. How do you differentiate your teaching to meet the needs of

8. What strategies do you use to engage parents and families in their

Guidance for Scoring During Interviews

Guidance for Scoring:

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