What is the hardest part about being a preschool teacher?
Many preschool teachers say the hardest part is the constant responsibility for young children's safety and wellbeing while meeting very different needs at once. Other common challenges are managing tantrums and challenging behaviour, communicating with parents who have different expectations, planning engaging activities every day, physical tiredness, and paperwork such as observations and records.
What this means in practice
These challenges are real, but training, routines and teamwork make them much easier to manage.
Common challenges
- Staying patient and flexible with 15 to 25 different personalities
- Handling tantrums, biting, hitting and short attention spans
- Meeting parents' expectations, especially pressure for early reading and writing
- Planning fresh, age-appropriate activities daily
- Record-keeping and safety compliance
- The physical demands of floor-level work, lifting and constant movement
How experienced teachers cope
- Strong routines and visual timetables
- Positive discipline strategies learned in training
- Short, regular updates to parents
- A shared bank of activity ideas
- Teamwork with assistants and colleagues
- Looking after their own rest and wellbeing
Why many stay in the job
Most preschool teachers also say the rewards are high: seeing a shy child speak up, a child read their first word, or a whole class learn to share. Visible progress makes the hard days worthwhile.
Practical next steps
- Learn positive behaviour strategies before you start.
- Build routines in the first weeks.
- Plan activities a week ahead.
- Agree how you will update parents.
Common follow-up questions
Is preschool teaching stressful?
It can be demanding, but routines, training and team support reduce stress.
Does training help with behaviour problems?
Yes; classroom management and positive guidance are core parts of pre-primary training.
Sources
- NAEYC: Developmentally appropriate practice
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child: Executive function
Course facts from APTTI's published course pages, checked 10 October 2026. Editorial policy.