Classroom Management
You arrive in a classroom where you're covering for another teacher or helping for the day. What's the first thing you should do?
ask how you can help, review the classroom schedule and routines, and learn any important information about the children before jumping in.
Your co-teacher is helping a child in the bathroom/Diapers while another child needs assistance
Step in without waiting to be asked and communicate what you're doing.
You arrive 20 minutes before the children. The classroom is quiet, and no one has arrived yet. What should you be doing?
Complete your morning classroom setup by:
Great teachers are proactive—they don't wait to be told what to do.
It's five minutes before center time ends. What should you be doing?
Give children transition warnings, begin cleaning up small areas, prepare the next activity, and help children finish what they're working on.
Your art shelf is becoming disorganized.
Reorganize supplies during planning time, before/ after children , lower numbers, nap time before—not during interest centers or high supervision is needed.
Your co-teacher is leading circle time. What should you be doing?
Actively support the lesson by helping children stay engaged, assisting those who need extra support, managing behaviors quietly, and avoiding side conversations. Get the next activity ready
Your teammate forgot to refill the diaper station.
Refill it, kindly remind your teammate later, and focus on keeping the classroom running smoothly.
The children are happily engaged in centers, everyone is safe, and your co-teacher is interacting with a small group. What should you be doing?
Engage with children by asking questions, extending learning, observing, or joining play—not standing against the wall or just sitting and watching
The children are finishing snack, but several are already done eating.
Begin dismissing children to wash hands, encourage them to clean up after themselves, wipe tables as children finish, and prepare for the next activity while maintaining supervision.
You're cleaning the classroom, but there are toys stored under shelves, behind furniture, and in corners. What should you do?
Move furniture and storage bins when appropriate to clean underneath and behind them. Dust, crumbs, and germs collect in hidden areas, so every part of the classroom should be cleaned—not just what's easy to reach.
The classroom schedule changes because of a special event. What should you do?
Communicate with your co-teacher, adjust the day's plan together, and help prepare children for the change by giving reminders and keeping routines as consistent as possible.
Your classroom is getting chaotic and your co-teacher seems overwhelmed.
Divide responsibilities, communicate, and support each other instead of assuming someone else will handle it. ASK FOR HELP IF NEEDED
You have 10 extra minutes before lunch. The classroom is calm and children are playing independently.
Prepare for the next transition by setting tables, gathering supplies, refilling materials, or organizing anything that will make the next part of the day run smoothly.
Outdoor play is ending in 10 minutes.
Start gathering toys, remind children of the upcoming transition, line up children in small groups if appropriate, and prepare the classroom for when everyone returns.
You notice shelves, cubbies, and toy bins look organized, but they're dusty and sticky. What's the next step?
Empty shelves and bins as needed, wipe and sanitize the surfaces, allow them to dry according to the product directions, and return clean materials. Don't just clean around the toys.
You're not sure whose responsibility it is to prepare for the next transition. What should you do?
Communicate with your co-teacher. Don't assume someone else is taking care of it. A quick conversation helps ensure everything is ready and keeps the classroom running smoothly.
You notice another teacher needs help with cleanup/ closing classroom but its time for you to go to lunch/ Home
You help the teacher until they are good
Nap time has started. Most children are asleep and ratios are covered.
Complete documentation, sanitize toys, organize learning materials, prep tomorrow's activities, or clean classroom areas according to center policy.
Nap time is almost over.
Quietly begin putting away bedding, prepare afternoon materials, set up tables with snack, and have everything ready before children fully wake up.
Your classroom "looks clean," but tomorrow is a licensing visit. What should you deep clean before leaving?
Your classroom is running smoothly, but you notice your co-teacher is doing all the transitions, cleaning, and lesson preparation while you don't have an assigned task. What should you do?
Step in and ask, "What can I take off your plate?" Look ahead to what needs to happen next, help prepare for upcoming transitions, interact with children, or complete classroom responsibilities. Great classrooms run on teamwork and communication—not waiting to be told what to do.
You disagree with how your co-teacher handled a situation or said something that bugged you
Wait until children aren't listening, discuss respectfully in private, and work toward consistency. If it gets to a point of needing admin, pull one of us in
Your classroom looks good, but you have a few extra minutes before pickup.
Walk the room and look for things that can be improved: organize shelves, rotate books, wipe tables, restock supplies, fold blankets, sharpen pencils, prepare parent communication, or help another classroom if yours is finished.
It's 30 minutes before pickup, and the classroom is calm. What should you be doing now to make dismissal go smoothly?
It's the end of the day and it's your classroom's turn to clean the bathroom. What areas should be sanitized?
Sanitize: