Pre-K Teacher Jobs in North Carolina
Pre-K Teacher jobs in North Carolina are in strong and steady demand, concentrated in public school systems, Head Start programs, and private child care centers, with openings at every level from classroom assistant through lead teacher and site director. The heaviest hiring activity is in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, where employers such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Wake County Public School System, and Bright Horizons maintain consistent pre-k rosters. The most sought-after specialties in North Carolina are exceptional children's education, bilingual early childhood instruction, and NC Pre-K program delivery. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 61+ Pre-K Teacher jobs
Fair Labor Standards Act Classification: Exempt
Position Term: 10 month
Classification: Continuing
Time Basis: Full-Time
Position Type: Licensed
Benefits: Full
Starting Salary: $5,525.00 per month
Licensed-Certified Salary determined by the NC Department of Public Instruction.
Click here to view the current Guilford County Schools Salary Schedule for licensed employees.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
PRE-K programs are licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and require an additional Criminal Background Check (CBC):
If you are selected for this position, you must complete the following:
- Go to NCDHHS website and review video tutorials: https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/
- Obtain NCID (NC Identity Management Service): https://ncid.nc.gov/idmdash/
- Begin CBC application process: https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/ContinueLogin
- You will need to enter your addresses for the past 5 years. If you have lived out-of-state in the past 5 years, a person from DHHS will email you with information about how to apply for each state's background check. This may involve additional costs. Be sure to print your receipt for reimbursement if hired.
- At end of CBC application, you will be asked to pay $26.50 fee with credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). Be sure to print your receipt for reimbursement if hired.
- Once application is complete, within 7 days you need to get your fingerprints LIVESCAN. Be sure to take your valid ID and $10 cash. Be sure to print your receipt for reimbursement if hired.
- LIVESCAN fingerprinting options (click on link for locations and times):
- Greensboro Police Department
- Guilford County Sherriff
- High Point Police Department
- Once your CBC application and fingerprinting is complete, you will receive an email from the DHHS CBC Portal with your results - you will need to log in with your NCID.
- If cleared, you will receive a letter stating you are QUALIFIED under the NC Child Care Act.
- This letter must be uploaded to your GCS application before you can be approved by Human Resources to begin work.
Fair Labor Standards Act Classification: Exempt
Position Term: 10 month
Classification: Continuing
Time Basis: Full-Time
Position Type: Licensed
Benefits: Full
Starting Salary: $5,525.00 per month
Licensed-Certified Salary determined by the NC Department of Public Instruction.
Click here to view the current Guilford County Schools Salary Schedule for licensed employees.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
PRE-K programs are licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and require an additional Criminal Background Check (CBC):
If you are selected for this position, you must complete the following:
- Go to NCDHHS website and review video tutorials: https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/
- Obtain NCID (NC Identity Management Service): https://ncid.nc.gov/idmdash/
- Begin CBC application process: https://ncchildcarecbc.nc.gov/ContinueLogin
- You will need to enter your addresses for the past 5 years. If you have lived out-of-state in the past 5 years, a person from DHHS will email you with information about how to apply for each state's background check. This may involve additional costs. Be sure to print your receipt for reimbursement if hired.
- At end of CBC application, you will be asked to pay $26.50 fee with credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). Be sure to print your receipt for reimbursement if hired.
- Once application is complete, within 7 days you need to get your fingerprints LIVESCAN. Be sure to take your valid ID and $10 cash. Be sure to print your receipt for reimbursement if hired.
- LIVESCAN fingerprinting options (click on link for locations and times):
- Greensboro Police Department
- Guilford County Sherriff
- High Point Police Department
- Once your CBC application and fingerprinting is complete, you will receive an email from the DHHS CBC Portal with your results - you will need to log in with your NCID.
- If cleared, you will receive a letter stating you are QUALIFIED under the NC Child Care Act.
- This letter must be uploaded to your GCS application before you can be approved by Human Resources to begin work.
See All 61 Pre-K Teacher Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Pre-K Teacher JobsPre-K Teacher Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Pre-K Teacher Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Childcare Network10
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools3
- Wake County Public School System3
- Biltmore Church2
- Watauga County Schools2W
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in Pre-K teacher jobs across North Carolina.
- Active North Carolina Standard Professional 1 or BK licensure issued by the NCDPI
- Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or closely related field required
- Demonstrated knowledge of NC Pre-K program standards and developmentally appropriate practice
- Current pediatric CPR and first aid certification for child care settings
- Experience creating lesson plans aligned with the North Carolina Early Learning Network standards
- Clear background check meeting North Carolina Division of Child Development requirements
Pre-K Teacher Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a pre-k teacher in North Carolina?
To teach in a public NC Pre-K classroom you need a North Carolina teaching license in Birth-Kindergarten or a related lateral-entry license, issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. That requires a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a closely related field, completion of an approved educator preparation program, and passing the required Praxis assessments. Private and Head Start programs may accept a Child Development Associate credential alongside relevant coursework instead of full licensure.
How much do Pre-K teachers make in North Carolina?
Pre-K teachers in North Carolina earn a median of about $35,710 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $28,700 for the lowest 10% to over $47,530 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire pre-k teachers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring pre-k teachers in North Carolina right now include Childcare Network, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and Wake County Public School System, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. North Carolina's publicly funded NC Pre-K initiative also drives consistent openings across county school systems and community-based partner sites throughout the state.
Which North Carolina cities have the most pre-k teacher jobs?
Charlotte, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem account for the most pre-k teacher openings in North Carolina. Charlotte and Raleigh lead because their large, fast-growing school systems and dense concentrations of Bright Horizons, KinderCare, and Head Start centers create high ongoing demand, while Greensboro anchors the Piedmont Triad's public school and Head Start activity.
Are there remote pre-k teacher jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. Pre-k teaching is fundamentally a hands-on, in-classroom role, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of pre-k teacher openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be instructional coaching, curriculum development, or early childhood specialist roles rather than direct classroom teaching positions.
How can I get hired as a pre-k teacher in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is to start as a teacher assistant or classroom aide in a North Carolina public school or Head Start program, which requires a high school diploma and passing the Paraprofessional Assessment rather than full licensure. Wake County Public School System and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools regularly hire assistants who can work toward their BK license through lateral-entry or tuition-assistance programs. Earning a Child Development Associate credential first gives candidates a measurable edge when competing for these roles.
Where can I find and apply to pre-k teacher jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to pre-k teacher jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your credentials and preferred location, and apply directly to each employer without creating an account or signing up.
See All 61 Pre-K Teacher Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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