Onboarding plan

Preschool Teacher Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)

A practical, printable plan to take a new preschool teacher from first day to full productivity.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Preschool Teacher onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

  • Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
  • Verify required credentials: Child Development Associate (CDA), State early childhood teacher license (as applicable)
  • Prepare equipment and access: learning center materials; books and art supplies; assessment tools such as Teaching Strategies GOLD; family communication apps
  • Assign a buddy or preceptor
  • Enroll the new hire in Preschool Teacher training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

  • Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
  • Keep required ratios and count children often
  • Follow handwashing and sanitizing routines
  • Know allergies and emergency plans
  • Supervise outdoor play closely
  • Shadow an experienced preschool teacher through a full shift
  • Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

  • Supervised practice: lead morning circle time
  • Supervised practice: handle a conflict between children
  • Supervised practice: write a child observation
  • Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
  • 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

  • Plan play-based lessons and activities: independently
  • Teach early literacy, math and social skills: independently
  • Supervise children and keep them safe: independently
  • Manage daily routines and transitions: independently
  • Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
  • Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
  • 60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

  • Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
  • Begin cross-training on a secondary task
  • Agree on a credential goal (for example, Child Development Associate (CDA))
  • Discuss the career path: Assistant Teacher → Preschool Teacher → Lead Teacher or Curriculum Coordinator
  • 90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or taskTrainedObservedSigned off
Lead Morning Circle Time
Handle a Conflict Between Children
Write a Child Observation
Early childhood curriculum
Classroom management
Child development observation
Health and safety practices

How to measure onboarding success

  • Time to independent classroom work
  • Observation and evaluation scores
  • Licensing or compliance findings
  • First-year retention

How Preschool Teacher training maps to this plan

  1. Introduction to the Preschool Teacher Role
  2. A Day on the Job
  3. Essential Preschool Teacher Vocabulary
  4. Core Duties and Responsibilities
  5. Common Tasks, Step by Step
  6. Tools, Equipment and Technology
  7. Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
  8. Skills Employers Look For
  9. Launching Your Preschool Teacher Career
  10. Final Knowledge Check
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