What We Look for in Our Teachers

One of the most important aspects of any early childhood education program is the people in the room with your child each day.

“The right teacher makes all the difference,” shared Dianna Moore, Jelly Bean Junction Area Manager. “It’s why we do our due diligence when bringing people onto the Jelly Bean Junction team.”

When hiring new teachers, we look closely at three things: their training, their experience, and, just as importantly, the kind of person they are.

Training That Supports Early Childhood Learning

Working with young children is much more than story time and crafts. For example, if two preschoolers both want the same toy, a teacher isn’t just stepping in to solve the problem. They’re helping the children practice using words, taking turns, and learning how to work through their frustration in a healthy way. In everyday scenarios like this, our teachers are helping children build skills they’ll carry into kindergarten and beyond. 

That kind of guidance stems from education and training that fosters a strong understanding of how children learn and develop. Many of our teachers have degrees or certifications in early childhood education, and all of them meet the requirements set by the state. But credentials are only part of the picture.

The best educators stay curious, just like our little learners. We look for individuals who continue their education beyond what’s required, whether that means attending industry conferences, sharing ideas with one another, or simply looking for new ways to support children as they grow.  

Experience That Instills Confidence 

As a parent, it’s reassuring to know your child is in the care of people who’ve truly seen it all and know what they’re doing. Many members of our team have been working with young children for years, seeing children through all stages of development.

This means our educators have the can partner with families through important transitions. From helping a child navigate their first day at daycare to showing them how to regulate big emotions, experience is what helps teachers handle these moments with patience and intention. That experience also helps create a calm, welcoming classroom where children feel safe and supported.

The Kind of Person Children Trust

With decades of childcare experience under our belt, what stands out most when hiring is how someone interacts with children. Are they excited to see them in the morning? Do they kneel to talk at their level? Those small interactions tell us a lot.

“The teachers and staff at Jelly Bean Junction Milford are welcoming, loving and kind. My daughter is greeted every morning with a smile. You can tell everyone is genuinely happy to see her.” -Toria L., Jelly Bean Junction Parent

We want people on our team who truly enjoy being around children. A teacher who is patient, warm, and knows what it takes to help children feel seen and supported. For parents, that means knowing your child is spending their day with people who truly care about them, not just as students, but as individuals with their own personalities, interests, and needs.

While we know life happens, we also look for teachers who want to grow their careers at Jelly Bean Junction...and many of our teachers have! That consistency matters because children are creatures of habit. Predictable routines and seeing the same friendly face each day can give them comfort and stability.

Over time, those familiar faces become trusted relationships, helping children feel confident and ready to learn.  

“While turnover is high in most daycare settings, the lead teachers in most of the room have been at JBJ for many years if not decades. It’s nice my boys have had the same lead teachers despite their 3-year age difference. I see they truly care about my boys.”  - Kaitlyn L., JBJ Parent  

Building Our Jelly Bean Junction Family

When teachers bring together knowledge, experience, and a genuine love for working with children, magic happens! Classrooms become places where children are known and cared for.

And for us, that’s always the goal.

Schedule a tour at Jelly Bean Junction today.