Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Preschool Special Education Teacher
What preschool special education teachers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a preschool special education teacher?
Prepare picture schedules. From there, the day usually includes teach play-based lessons, write and carry out IEPs, and build communication and social skills. School-year schedule.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a preschool special education teacher working full time.
- Prepare picture schedules.
- Greet children and families.
- Lead circle time with visuals.
- Run small skill groups.
- Coach children at lunch.
- Hold an IEP meeting.
- Record progress data.
Where preschool special education teachers work
Teachers work in public school preschools, inclusive classrooms and sometimes in homes.
Hours and schedule
School-year schedule.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Teach play-based lessons
- Write and carry out IEPs
- Build communication and social skills
- Work with speech and occupational therapists
- Track progress on goals
- Coach families
- Supervise aides
Tools you’ll use every day
- Visual schedules
- AAC devices
- Sensory tools
- IEP software
- Developmental assessments
- Adaptive materials
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Make an early difference
- Play-based teaching
- Close family relationships
- Average growth
What’s hard
- Paperwork
- Physical and emotional demands
- Challenging behaviors
- Modest pay
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love young children
- I’m very patient
- I like play-based teaching
- I work well with families
- I can handle paperwork
- I stay calm with challenging behavior
Not sure? Take the free Preschool Special Education Teacher fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Supervise children closely
- Follow lifting and positioning plans
- Follow allergy and medical plans
- Follow mandatory reporting laws