Where to Find and Hire Great Early Childhood Teachers

Jun 1

As prior directors- Sam, a prior director of a large center and myself, the prior owner of a home child care- we know that building a strong team is the heart of a successful program. Finding qualified, dedicated, and genuinely caring teachers can feel challenging, not because great educators aren’t out there, but because we need people who fit our center’s values, philosophy, and community.

The search can feel overwhelming: Where do you even find candidates who want to work in early childhood? How can you truly assess a candidate’s readiness, personality, and values in just a few interviews? And once you do find and interview someone, how do you quickly figure out who’s the right fit?

This blog breaks down where to find great applicants and how to identify the ones who will truly shine in your classrooms.

Where to Market Your Childcare Job Openings

Even the best interview process won’t help if the right people never see your job posting.

Here are the five most effective places to recruit early childhood education teachers, plus simple ways to help your listings stand out.

1. Post on Large Online Job Boards

General job sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn reach a huge number of job seekers.

Tips to get better candidates:

Use clear job titles like “Lead Preschool Teacher – 3-Year-Old Classroom.”
Highlight your center’s mission, values, and benefits.
Add a photo or two of your classrooms or team if possible. It helps candidates visualize the environment.
Refresh your posting every few days to stay near the top of search results.

2. Use Early Childhood Education–Specific Job Boards

These niche sites attract people who already have ECE experience. That means less screening and more aligned candidates.

Post on platforms like:

EarlyChildhoodCareers.com
ChildCareCareers.net
State or regional early learning job boards (many state associations host them).

Why it works: You’ll reach a smaller but more targeted pool of qualified, passionate educators.

3. Partner With Local Colleges and ECE Programs

Building partnerships with community colleges and universities is one of the best long-term hiring strategies.

ECE students often look for:

Assistant teacher roles
Classroom aide positions
Internships or practicum hours

Reach out to department chairs or career services. Ask to:

Post on their internal job board
Visit classes
Attend career fairs
Invite students for center tours

Why it works: You’re meeting candidates before they hit the job market and offering opportunities that can grow into full-time positions.

4. Leverage Social Media and Community Networks

Your social media isn’t just for families, it’s also a powerful recruiting tool.

Your Facebook and Instagram- Show moments of teamwork, classroom setups, staff appreciation celebrations
LinkedIn- Professional posts, testimonials from your teachers, and awards
Facebook Groups- Often allow job postings and can reach people already invested in early childhood.

Why it works: Authentic posts showing your center’s culture and team spirit help candidates picture themselves as part of your community.

5. Build a Strong Staff Referral System

Some of your best hires will come from your current team.

Here are some ideas:

Offer referral bonuses
Encourage families to share your openings
Keep simple flyers or cards handy for potential candidates you meet around town.

Why it works: Referred hires tend to stay longer, fit the culture faster, and have a more realistic view of the work.

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Hiring isn’t easy. It takes time, persistence, and dedication. Over the years, I’ve learned that hiring for heart and attitude is just as important as hiring for credentials. Skills can be taught, but compassion and teamwork can’t. Download the Lead and Assistant Teacher Interview Questions to help you hire the right staff!