A Preschool Floater is an early childhood education professional who is responsible for filling in as a substitute teacher, assistant teacher or teacher aide in a preschool classroom or multiple classrooms as needed. The following are the typical job duties and responsibilities of a Preschool Floater:
A Preschool Floater plays a crucial role in ensuring continuity and quality of care in a preschool or early childhood education setting. They must be flexible, reliable, and able to adapt to changing classroom environments and situations. They must also possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, patience, and a passion for working with young children.
1. Provide a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment for children in the classroom.
2. Assist in supervising children both in the classroom and during lunchtime.
3. Prepare and execute age-appropriate activities based on students’ developmental stage.
4. Monitor students’ progress and update records as needed.
5. Administer basic first aid to students in case of injury or illness.
6. Assist in implementing appropriate behavior management techniques.
7. Participate in team meetings and help to develop and implement individualized education plans.
8. Collaborate with other staff members to ensure the smooth operation of the preschool.
9. Encourage children to express themselves through play and other activities.
10. Facilitate the socialization of children in the classroom.
11. Respond to inquiries and/or complaints from parents and/or guardians.
12. Assist in maintaining tidiness in the classroom and on the playground.
13. Provide support to teachers in the classroom when needed.
14. Ensure that all safety protocols are followed.
15. Monitor the use of equipment and materials to ensure safe and proper use.
16. Encourage children to engage in creative activities.
17. Attend training sessions and workshops to stay up-to-date with best practices.
18. Document student’s progress and provide feedback to parents and teachers.
19. Supervise activities during recess and lunchtime.
20. Help children with basic tasks such as toileting, diapering, dressing, and eating.
21. Participate in parent-teacher conferences and meetings.
22. Prepare materials and equipment needed for activities.
23. Support the development and implementation of curriculum.
24. Assist in assessing children’s development and readiness for kindergarten.
25. Foster social-emotional development of children through interactions and activities.
1. A successful preschool floater should have a positive attitude and a genuine love for working with children.
2. Excellent organizational and multitasking skills are essential for any preschool floater.
3. Being able to think quickly on one’s feet is key for a successful preschool floater.
4. Patience and an understanding of the needs of young children is a must.
5. Creativity is a must for preschool floaters so they can think of creative ways to engage, motivate and educate young children.
6. Good communication skills are critical for successful preschool floaters.
7. The ability to remain calm under pressure is essential when working with young children.
8. A preschool floater should be willing to work in a team environment.
9. A preschool floater should have a good understanding of early childhood education and development.
10. Being able to make quick and informed decisions is important when dealing with any issues that may arise.
11. Reliability and punctuality are essential for any successful preschool floater.
12. A preschool floater should have a sense of humor and be able to entertain children.
13. A successful preschool floater should have a passion for learning and teaching.
14. A pleasant and friendly demeanor is important for successful preschool floaters.
15. Possessing good problem-solving skills is a must for preschool floaters.
16. Adaptability is a key trait for any successful preschool floater.
17. A successful preschool floater should be able to maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment.
18. A preschool floater should be able to effectively manage their time and keep track of their tasks.
19. A successful preschool floater should possess strong interpersonal skills.
20. A successful preschool floater should have excellent record-keeping skills.
21. A successful preschool floater should be able to build rapport with children and parents.
22. A successful preschool floater should be able to identify potential behavioral issues and be able to address them in a positive manner.
23. A preschool floater should have a good understanding of the school’s policies and procedures.
24. A successful preschool floater should be able to think critically and be able to make sound decisions.
25. A successful preschool floater should be able to work independently and as part of a team.
1. What experience do you have with working with young children?
2. What do you find most rewarding about working with young children?
3. How would you handle a situation where the children are misbehaving in the classroom?
4. How would you handle a situation where the children are not paying attention to the lesson?
5. What strategies do you use to help children learn and develop?
6. Describe a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem with a child in the classroom.
7. How do you stay organized while floating between different classes?
8. How do you foster positive relationships with children and their families?
9. How do you demonstrate your professionalism when working in the classroom?
10. Describe the most difficult behavioral issue you have had to address in a classroom.
11. How do you ensure that all students are getting the attention they need?
12. How do you interact with the other staff members in the school?
13. What experience do you have with classroom management?
14. How do you create a safe and inviting environment for children to learn and play?
15. What do you do to ensure that each child is getting the individualized attention they need?
16. What do you do to keep yourself motivated during the day?
17. How do you handle situations where different teachers have different expectations?
18. How have you been able to adapt your teaching style to different age groups?
19. How do you work with a team of teachers to create a cohesive lesson plan?
20. What strategies do you use to help children stay motivated and engaged during lessons?
21. How do you approach teaching difficult concepts to young children?
22. Describe a time when you had to think on your feet to address a challenging situation with a child.
23. What methods do you use to ensure that the classroom environment remains clean and organized?
24. How do you communicate with parents about their child's progress?
25. What do you think sets you apart from other preschool floaters?
As of March 2nd, 2023, Floater Preschool Teachers in the United States can expect to make an average of $15.23 per hour. According to SimplyHired, the annual salary for this job is estimated to be $58,287 on average. ZipRecruiter's statistics on wages range from a low of $7.21 to a high of $17.79 per hour, with the majority making between $10.82 (25th percentile) and $15.38 (75th percentile).
Sources:
https://www.ziprecruiter.co.uk/?utm_source=zr-go-redirect
https://www.simplyhired.com/salaries-k-preschool-floater-jobs.html
https://www.zippia.com/floater-teacher-jobs/salary/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/floater-teacher-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm
Childcare services
Early childhood education
Preschool assistant
Classroom management
Child safety and welfare
Early childhood development
Teacher's assistant
Child behavior management
Child supervision
Educational activities for preschoolers
Substitute teacher
Preschool curriculum planning
Child psychology
Play-based learning
Creative arts for preschoolers
Developmental milestones for preschoolers
Learning centers
Circle time activities
Storytelling for preschoolers
Gross motor skill development
Fine motor skill development
Language and literacy development
Math and science activities for preschoolers
Music and movement activities
Social emotional learning
Inclusive preschool environments
Working with children with special needs
Positive reinforcement techniques
Developmentally appropriate practices
Collaborative team player