| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Education and Teaching |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Pre-Primary Coordinator |
| Direct reports | Classroom Assistant |
| Experience | Fresher or up to 4 years in pre-primary |
Pre-Primary Teacher job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Pre-Primary Teacher
Department: Education and Teaching
Reports to: Pre-Primary Coordinator
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Pre-Primary Teacher teaches children in nursery and kindergarten, building early literacy, numeracy, motor and social skills through play and structured activity. They plan age appropriate lessons, care for young children's needs, and prepare them for primary school. The role reports to the Pre-Primary Coordinator or Headmistress. A good pre-primary teacher makes school a happy, safe first experience, builds strong early foundations through play, and works closely with parents during these important early years.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and conduct age appropriate lessons in early literacy, numeracy and general awareness.
- Use play, songs, stories and activities to make learning enjoyable for young children.
- Build fine and gross motor skills through craft, colouring and physical play.
- Develop social skills, sharing and good habits through daily classroom routines.
- Care for the safety, hygiene and emotional needs of every child.
- Observe and record each child's development and readiness for primary school.
- Manage smooth routines, transitions and a warm classroom atmosphere.
- Guide the classroom assistant in supporting children and activities.
- Meet parents regularly to share progress and settle any concerns.
- Prepare teaching aids, displays and materials for the classroom.
Requirements
- Nursery teacher training or ECCE diploma
- Graduate in any stream is an advantage
- Warmth and care for young children
- Fresher or up to 4 years in pre-primary
KRAs and KPIs for a Pre-Primary Teacher
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Early learning | Children meeting early literacy and numeracy milestones for the level |
| School readiness | Children ready for primary school on the readiness checklist by year end |
| Safety and care | Zero preventable safety or hygiene lapse in the classroom in the month |
| Development records | Observation records updated for every child at the set frequency |
| Engagement | Children settled and engaged in activities across the school day |
| Parent partnership | Parent updates shared each term for every child |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Teaching aids and flashcards, Craft materials, Storybooks, Play equipment, Observation records.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Pre-Primary Teacher, Pre-Primary Coordinator, Primary Teacher
Interview questions for a Pre-Primary Teacher
- How do you settle a child who cries every morning at drop off?
- How do you teach early letters and numbers through play?
- How do you manage a class of very young children through the day?
- How do you build motor skills in nursery children?
- How do you share a concern about a child's development with parents?
- Tell me about an activity young children in your class loved.
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What does a pre-primary teacher do?
A pre-primary teacher teaches children in nursery and kindergarten, building early literacy, numeracy, motor and social skills through play and structured activity. They plan age appropriate lessons, care for young children's safety and needs, observe development, and prepare children for primary school. They work closely with parents during these important early years.
What qualifications do you need to be a pre-primary teacher?
Most pre-primary teachers hold a nursery teacher training certificate or an early childhood care and education diploma, and a graduate degree helps. Employers look for warmth and patience with young children, skill in play based teaching, the ability to observe development, and good communication with parents. Care and safety awareness are essential.
What is the difference between a pre-primary and a primary teacher?
A pre-primary teacher works with nursery and kindergarten children, focusing on early foundations through play and care. A primary teacher works with classes one to five, teaching subjects more formally to the curriculum. The pre-primary role is more about care and readiness, while primary is about building core academic skills.