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Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pre-K Teacher

Centennial, CO · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Dental insurance Role : Entry-level Support Teacher at Primrose School of Centennial - 13331 E. Euclid Place Centennial, CO 80111 Calling All Passionate Individuals: Become an Early Childhood Support ...

Pre-K Teacher

Centennial, CO · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Dental insurance Role : Entry-level Support Teacher at Primrose School of Centennial - 13331 E. Euclid Place Centennial, CO 80111 Calling All Passionate Individuals: Become an Early Childhood Support ...

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Teacher

Calumet City, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Help prepare children for kindergarten readiness. * Assist with parent conferences and family ... Mentor entry-level staff. * Support center-wide events and trainings. * Assist in onboarding new ...

ABA Teacher 1

Marlborough, MA · On-site

$50K - $50K/yr

We serve students pre-K through 12th grade and post-graduate (ages 3-22) in a bright, supportive ... level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Education and Training Industries:

ABA Teacher 1

Marlborough, MA · On-site

$50K - $50K/yr

We serve students pre-K through 12th grade and post-graduate (ages 3-22) in a bright, supportive ... level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Education and Training Industries:

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Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher information

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$23K

$45.1K

$66K

How much do entry level kindergarten teacher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level kindergarten teacher in the United States is $45,082.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,500.00 and $53,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level kindergarten teacher?

Entry level kindergarten teachers are educators who are new to the teaching profession or have limited experience, typically working with children ages 5-6 in their first year of formal schooling. Their primary responsibilities include creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment, introducing foundational academic concepts, and supporting students' social and emotional development. Entry level teachers often follow a curriculum, use creative teaching methods, and work closely with parents and other staff to ensure each child’s success.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level kindergarten teachers, and how can they be managed?

Entry level kindergarten teachers often encounter challenges such as managing classroom behavior, adapting lesson plans to diverse learning styles, and building effective communication with parents. To address these, it's helpful to establish clear routines and expectations from the start, seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, and use a variety of teaching methods to engage all students. Open, regular communication with families and ongoing professional development can also make the transition into the role smoother and more rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level kindergarten teacher, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher, you need foundational knowledge of early childhood education, a relevant teaching credential, and often a bachelor's degree in education. Familiarity with classroom management software, basic educational technology, and early literacy assessment tools is typically required. Patience, creativity, and strong communication skills help foster a supportive and engaging learning environment for young children. These skills and qualities are crucial for promoting student development, maintaining classroom order, and building positive relationships with students and families.

What is the difference between Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher vs Preschool Teacher?

AspectEntry Level Kindergarten TeacherPreschool Teacher
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate's degree; some states require certificationHigh school diploma; certification varies by state
Work EnvironmentPublic and private elementary schools, kindergarten classroomsPreschools, daycare centers, early childhood education settings
Employer & Industry UsageSchool districts, private schools, early education programsPreschools, childcare centers, early childhood education providers

Both roles focus on early childhood education but differ mainly in the age group served and work settings. Entry Level Kindergarten Teachers typically work in elementary schools with children aged 5-6, while Preschool Teachers work with younger children, usually ages 3-5, in preschools or daycare centers. The required credentials are similar, but the work environment and employer types vary.

How much does an entry level kindergarten teacher make?

Entry-level kindergarten teachers typically earn between $25,000 and $40,000 annually, depending on location, education level, and school district. Starting salaries may be higher with relevant certifications and teaching experience, and some positions offer benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.

How to get an entry level kindergarten teacher job when you have no experience?

To become an entry-level kindergarten teacher with no experience, focus on obtaining relevant education such as a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field, and earn necessary certifications like a teaching license or CPR certification. Gaining volunteer experience or internships in preschool settings can also strengthen your application and demonstrate your commitment to working with young children.

What is the minimum qualification of an entry level kindergarten teacher?

An entry-level kindergarten teacher typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent, along with a state-specific early childhood education certification or license. Some positions may require an associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field, and background checks are usually mandatory.

What cities are hiring for Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher jobs?

Cities with the most Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Kindergarten Teacher jobs?

The most popular types of Kindergarten Teacher jobs are:

What states have the most Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher jobs?

States with the most job openings for Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher jobs include:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Kindergarten Teacher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,082 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Dream Preparatory Academy, INC.

Greenville, SC

$45K - $48K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description


About This Role

As the Kindergarten Lead Teacher, you are the crucial bridge between early childhood discovery and structured primary education. You serve as the instructional leader for our youngest learners, ensuring a safe, nurturing, standards-based, and developmentally appropriate environment. By balancing foundational academic readiness with crucial social-emotional and fine-motor development, you play a vital role in shaping a child’s first impression of formal schooling and preparing them for a confident transition into First Grade.


What You'll Do
  • Curriculum & Kindergarten Standards Alignment: Implement high-quality instruction using the approved Dreamers School of Excellence curriculum, explicitly mapping lessons to the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards for Kindergarten in ELA, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, blended with school-adopted Montessori practical-life aims. § Teachers are expected to explicitly identify standards in all lesson plans, translate standards into measurable learning objectives, maintain documented evidence that standards have been introduced, taught, practiced, assessed, retaught, and mastered, participate actively in horizontal and vertical planning, and continuously adjust instructional pacing based on student-performance data.
  • Early Literacy & Phonemic Awareness Foundation: Deliver explicit, systematic instruction focused heavily on print concepts, phonological and phonemic awareness (isolating, blending, and segmenting sounds), alphabet recognition, and letter-sound correspondences, ensuring students build the core mechanics required to decode text confidently without guessing.
  • Foundational Number Sense & Mathematical Logic: Implement South Carolina Kindergarten math standards with an intense focus on early numeracy—including counting to 100, cardinally, subitizing, writing numerals, comparing quantities, and understanding basic addition and subtraction concepts through extensive use of physical manipulatives and concrete objects.
  • Motor, Sensory, & Executive-Functioning Integration: Design daily active-learning centers and routines that explicitly develop fine motor skills (pencil grip, scissor control), gross motor coordination, spatial awareness, and executive functioning tasks like following multi-step directions and organizing personal belongings.
  • Social-Emotional & School-Readiness Coaching: Proactively teach foundational school-readiness behaviors, including emotional self-regulation, collaborative play, sharing, conflict resolution, and transition endurance, utilizing trauma-informed, non-shaming strategies that build a joyful, respectful classroom culture. 
  • Kindergarten Readiness Assessment & Tracking: Administer mandatory beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year readiness screeners alongside ongoing formative tracking of foundational standards to differentiate small-group interventions and measure clear readiness progress for First Grade.
  • Instructional Team Supervision: Provide daily operational direction, collaborative lesson planning guidance, and meaningful classroom assignments to the Kindergarten Assistant Teacher, maximizing small-group learning rotations and ensuring coordinated student supervision.
  • Family Partnership & Transition Collaboration: Partner closely with families to demystify the Kindergarten-to-First Grade transition, providing objective data, clear behavioral benchmarks, and practical home-learning strategies through scheduled conferences and regular progress updates.

Requirements
  • Required Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, featuring a major, concentration, certification area, or substantial coursework in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Montessori Education, or a related approved field.
  • Experience: At least one year of successful experience working with children between ages four and six is preferred. Supervised student teaching, residency, or internship experience within a Kindergarten or Pre-K setting will be considered for entry-level candidates.
  • Professional Competencies: Demonstrated ability to differentiate foundational content for wide ranges of early childhood readiness, implement documented IEP/504 accommodations, collaborate with speech and special education providers, and apply instructional coaching feedback.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for delivering prompt, empathetic, and clear notifications to families regarding student growth, academic benchmarks, and behavioral milestones.
  • Essentials: Must pass all required criminal background checks, fingerprinting, child-abuse registry screenings, and reference verifications, while maintaining valid pediatric/adult CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications. Additionally, employees must complete mandatory child-safety training, state mandated-reporter training, emergency procedures orientation, adhere strictly to student confidentiality (FERPA) requirements, and satisfy all applicable state health requirements.

Nice To Haves
  • Preferred Qualifications: Current South Carolina educator certification in Early Childhood Education; Master's degree; Montessori Early Childhood credential (AMS/AMI); specialized training in early literacy models (LETRS for Early Childhood, Orton-Gillingham); or experience with play-based or sensory-integrated inquiry models.

Benefits
  • Professional Impact: The opportunity to shape the foundational academic and developmental experience for young learners in a premier educational setting.
  • Professional Development: Access specialized school-assigned training pathways including South Carolina Kindergarten standards updates, Science of Reading, structured early literacy, Montessori-inspired practical-life practices, and early childhood behavior intervention.
  • Total Rewards: Competitive salary commensurate with your experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package

About Us

Dream Preparatory Academy, located in Greenville, SC, is a unique educational organization that offers a new teaching style to break traditional barriers of learning repetitive lessons in a prepared routine environment. Our goal is to create a more interactive, hands-on learning environment that is technology-focused and can integrate classroom-to-home management.