As an early childhood educator, you’re well versed in the ABCs of your profession. Now, you’re looking for a new position and you need to learn the ABCs of application writing to develop an early childhood educator resume that gets you your coveted interview.
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Let Resume.io help. We have the right curriculum for your job hunt, including resume guides and resume examples for 300+ professions, plus an easy-to-use resume builder. With our resources, you learn how to craft a resume that confidently shows off your talents and lets recruiters know you’re a great fit for the job.
This resume guide, along with the corresponding resume example will cover the following topics:
- What does an early childhood educator do?
- How to write an early childhood educator resume
- The best format for an early childhood educator resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
What does an early childhood educator do?
Early childhood educators are teaching professionals trained to work with students ages birth to 3. Early childhood may also include students older than age 3, but usually only encompasses students below kindergarten age.
Early childhood educators typically design and carry out a well-thought out curriculum, designed to meet certain standards and guidelines. The standards and guidelines may vary depending upon the location and philosophy of the school they work in. Early childhood educators support their students academically, socially, and emotionally. They work to facilitate meaningful learning experiences, often through play, and observe and record child behaviors.
Communication skills are key because early childhood educators collaborate with other education professionals to support the learning and advancements of students. They are also required to communicate with the parents/guardians/ families of students.
Job market and outlook
The early childhood education field is expanding rapidly, so you’re in demand. The need for workers is expected to climb 18 percent from 2020-2030. Median income in 2021 was $30,210, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.
How to write an early childhood educator resume
The first step to a good lesson plan is an outline. The first step in writing your early childhood education resume is a section outline. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
The next step is the correct format.
Choosing the best resume format for an early childhood educator
We recommend the reverse chronological resume format for most situations. This format mostly affects the employment history section of your CV. Within it, you should list your most recent position and work your way back. If you have just earned your early childhood education certification and are looking for your first job, you will find more information in this blog.
One of the chronological or hybrid resume formats we suggest may benefit you if you are looking to re-enter the job market after a long gap, you are trying to change careers or you have a long, varied job history.
Resume summary example
The summary section of your early childhood educator resume offers a chance to capture the attention of the reader by offering a brief but compelling summary of the value you bring. In 3-4 lines you can express your educational philosophy and the qualities that make you excellent at teaching young children.
Try this structure for your summary:
- Sentence 1: An introduction to yourself and your career using a couple of strong descriptive words
- Sentence 2-3: Focus on your skills and knowledge
- Sentence 4: Get a bit more personal by telling your educational philosophy or why you love working with little ones.
This structure is a suggestion. The goal is to interest the hiring manager and show what you will do for the school or daycare facility to which you are applying, so speak directly to that person in your own voice.
For more inspiring summaries, check out our related education category resume examples. We offer a general teacher resume example as well as an ESL teacher resume sample, a tutor resume example, a teacher assistant resume sample and a substitute teacher resume example.
Experienced and passionate Early Childhood Educator with a love for educating today's youth. Adept in creating a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum that meets education requirements and standards. Able to act as a facilitator of powerful learning experiences, while allowing students to dictate certain lessons and lead with curiosity. Familiar with many renowned educational philosophies, aimed at supporting a child academically, emotionally, and socially. Bringing forth dedication, skill, and the desire to positively impact the lives of children.
Employment history sample
The employment history section of your early childhood educator resume serves to detail your career accomplishments. With the job listing in mind, choose the top actions you performed in each position. If a prospective employer mentions a specific curriculum you know, be sure to include it.
If you have had several jobs, take the most space on your most senior position. There’s no need to repeat a responsibility in every description, so aim to show the growth you have achieved during your career. Check out our adaptable resume sample below.
Be careful to customize your early childhood education resume every time you apply for a new position to ensure you are presenting yourself in the best light based on the job description.
This process signals to employers that you understand their requirements, but the careful use of keywords and phrases within the job listing will also help you rank high enough in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) algorithm to get you past that hurdle.
- Provided optimal care and academic support to students ages 1-3.
- Created and implemented lesson plans based on child-led interests and curiosities.
- Encouraged students to actively play and explore new things with classmates.
- Maintained organized files for each students containing documents indicative of their progress.
- Facilitated outdoor learning experiences and the involvement of nature as much as possible.
- Followed school policies and regulations regarding safety and school procedures at all times.
CV skills example
Because it is easily scannable, the skills section of your early childhood CV may be the first place the hiring manager looks. If you don’t have the necessary attributes listed prominently, they may look no further.
That means you need to personalize so that your skills section matches the job description whenever possible. Your knowledge of best practices and curriculum design are important, but especially when you are working with preschool children, patiences and excellent communication with parents and colleagues are musts.
Try to choose a blend of educational pedagogy and interpersonal skills. See our adaptable resume sample below.
- Curriculum and Instruction Design
- Differentiated Learning Techniques
- Educational Philosophies
- Excellent Communication
- Knowledge of Child Development
- Creative Problem-solving
Early childhood education resume education example
Education matters in early childhood education, so be proud of yours. In this field, you need at least an associate’s degree in early childhood education. Within your education section, you should list all degrees and certifications here. For example, many teachers have certificates in specific curricula or in first aid or CPR. Any honors or distinctions should be noted here as well.
Especially if you are new to the job market, you may include your GPA if it is a 3.0 or above. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor’s, you may leave out your high school experience. See our resume sample below.
2013-2017 Hunter College, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, NY, NY
2009-2013 St. Catherine's High School, High School Diploma NY, NY
Resume layout and design
Early childhood educators are often tasked with creating bright, attractive rooms. While you do have a little leeway here to get artsy with your resume, we suggest that your priority is legibility. Go ahead and use a few primary colors, an apple or another symbol of early childhood education, but don’t let it detract from your text. A professionally-designed resume template can make this easy to accomplish.
These guidelines will help you create an eye-catching, yet readable, resume design:
- Leave adequate white space to keep your resume legible. To accomplish this, vary your line lengths and avoid trying to say too much. You can add a few different details to your cover letter if you feel they are important and you could not fit them in.
- Choose a template that reflects your personality and the tone of the childcare facility.
- Use your header as a graphic element. Include your name, title and relevant contact information.
- Always have a friend or colleague proofread your resume.
- Make your section headings stand out, but avoid getting cute with the titles.
Key takeaways for an early childhood educator resume
- Lucky you! Your career is in high demand, so with an excellent resume you should be able to get the job you desire.
- Early childhood educators must be teaching experts, but also possess the ability to talk honestly and with compassion to parents.
- Your summary should include a sentence about your educational philosophy. Get started with our adaptable resume sample.
- Use the online resume builder to eliminate formatting errors and get your applications out there quickly.
