How To Write an Early Childhood Education Resume
As an early childhood educator, your resume should demonstrate your ability to lead classrooms and contribute to the cognitive and emotional growth of children during a critical stage of development. Although many school districts are experiencing teacher shortages, you’ll still need to differentiate yourself from the competition during the job search.
The key to creating an eye-catching resume is to tell your unique story within education. Hiring managers overlook generic documents filled with vague job descriptions. To grab their attention, highlight your genuine impact on your students and the various teaching methodologies you’ve used to support them. We’ll provide valuable tips and insights to help you translate your experience into a powerful marketing document.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your early childhood qualifications
Including a professional summary at the top of your resume can make all the difference in whether or not the hiring manager brings you in for an interview. Employers receive countless applications for job openings each week and often lack the bandwidth to read through every resume in-depth. Focus on detailing your job title, years of experience, and three to four teaching skills that align with the job description. This will immediately show hiring managers you have the exact qualifications they’re looking for in a candidate.
Senior-Level Profile Example
An early childhood teacher with over 10 years of experience specializing in child development, differentiated instruction, education technology, and early childhood literacy. A strong history of leading the integration of technology into the classroom to enhance student growth. Adept at tailoring instruction in alignment with individual learning needs.
Entry-Level Profile Example
An early childhood teacher with entry-level experience specializing in teaching, childcare lesson planning, and child development. Adept at creating and developing innovative curriculums and activities to foster personal and emotional growth in children.
2. Showcase your early childhood experience
Your professional experience section is your opportunity to tell your story as an early childhood educator. Academic data and numbers will be difficult to incorporate into your bullet points, so focus on other aspects of your experience that make you unique as a candidate.
For example, emphasizing how you tailored your lessons towards student needs and created strategies for Individualized Education Program (IEPs) will show prospective employers how you strive to foster emotional and cognitive growth in your students.
Leadership, empathy, and communication are other aspects to capture here. In this role, you’ll be interfacing with parents, children, and faculty regularly. Your ability to communicate with these different groups is critical to your effectiveness as an educator. Showcasing examples of you mentoring colleagues and creating inclusive classroom environments will illustrate why you’re the ideal culture fit for the organization.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Lead Early Childhood Teacher, Providence Preschool, Providence, RI | September 2016 – present
- Develop and implement innovative lesson plans for classrooms with up to 25 preschool students, tailor instruction based on student strengths and weaknesses, and utilize cooperative learning activities to develop communication and relationship-building skills
- Lead the integration of education technology across the preschool and provide training to preschool teachers to maintain quality instruction to students during COVID-19
- Manage five assistant preschool teachers and provide coaching and mentorship to over 10 certified preschool teachers to develop an engaging curriculum
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Early Childhood Teacher, Nashville Preschool, Nashville, TN | September 2021 – present
- Manage a classroom with 20 to 25 preschool students, develop curriculum and group learning activities to facilitate academic growth and enrichment
- Build and maintain strong relationships with parents by facilitating open lines of communication and scheduling meetings to assess student progress and behavior
- Develop and tailor lesson plans to the needs of individual students based on academic strengths and weaknesses in preparation for kindergarten
3. Outline your education and early childhood-related certifications
Education and certifications carry more weight for teachers than other types of professionals.
Start by listing your bachelor’s and master’s degree, the institution, and graduation date.
Next, feature your state teaching license and additional certifications you’ve obtained throughout your career. The Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) is a nationally recognized credential to consider adding to your resume.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Education (B.E.) Early Childhood Education
- University of San Diego, San Diego, CA | May 2016
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Preschool Teaching Certification, State of California, 2016
- Certified Childcare Professional (CCP), NECPA, 2016
4. Outline your most useful early childhood skills and proficiencies
Organizations utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS) to track resumes for specific key skills and proficiencies. To secure interviews during your job search, you must incorporate appropriate keywords that match the requirements listed in the job posting. As an education professional, it’s important to include a mix of both soft and hard skills on your resume. Show potential employers you possess an advanced understanding of early childhood education and strong emotional intelligence and people management skills.
Consider using these key skills on your resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Behavioral analysis | Child care |
| Child development | Classroom management |
| Communication | Cooperative learning |
| Curriculum development | Differentiated instruction |
| Early childhood education | Early childhood literacy |
| Education technology | Experiential learning |
| Group learning | IEPs |
| Instruction | Lesson planning |
| Play-based learning | Preschool teaching |
| Relationship building | Student assessment |
| Teaching | |
How To Pick the Best Early Childhood Education Resume Template
When selecting your template, prioritize structure and organization over aesthetics in most instances. Hiring managers are always most interested in your qualifications and achievements. Overburdening your document with flashy colors and graphics can often distract from your content. Select an option with a single-column structure that doesn’t split multiple sections across the page, so you control what information the hiring manager sees first.
Early Childhood Education Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Allison Goldstein
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, San Diego, CA 12345
Profile
An Early Childhood Teacher with five years of experience, specializing in curriculum development, group learning, lesson planning, and classroom management. A proven track record of designing enriching lesson plans and delivering instruction to preschool students across a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.
Professional Experience
Early Childhood Teacher, West Valley Preschool, San Diego, CA
September 2018 – Present
- Deliver instruction to classes of up to 30 preschool students, develop engaging lessons to facilitate interest in art, music, and reading, and plan outdoor activities to differentiate instruction and drive student engagement
- Utilize play-based learning techniques to increase student interest in the subject material and facilitate personal and academic growth
- Communicate with students to aid them in creating positive relationships with peers and drive the development of social skills
Early Childhood Teacher, North San Diego Preschool, San Diego, CA
September 2016 – June 2018
- Provided group and individual instruction to 20+ preschool students, created engaging lesson plans and activities, and incorporated experiential instruction techniques
- Interfaced with parents and faculty to monitor student progress, learning needs, IEPs, and behavioral issues to foster positive growth
Education
Bachelor of Education (B.E.) Early Childhood Education
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Early Childhood Education
- Cooperative Learning
- Relationship Building
- Experiential Instruction
- Behavioral Analysis
Certifications
- Preschool Teaching Certification, State of California, 2016
Frequently Asked Questions: Early Childhood Education Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for early childhood education resumes?-
Incorporating action verbs infuses a dynamic and engaging element into your bullet points. To grab the attention of prospective employers, ensure your experience is framed as an accomplishment rather than as a mundane job responsibility. Many job seekers mistakenly use passive language to convey their achievements, which can often detract from the impact of your bullet points. Use these action verbs to build your professional experience section:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Collaborated |
| Communicated | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Designed | Developed |
| Educated | Enhanced |
| Evaluated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Managed | Performed |
| Planned | Provided |
| Supported | Taught |
How do you align your resume with an early childhood education job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for preschool teachers was $30,210. These positions are expected to grow by 15% between 2021 and 2031. Despite these positive projections, you must align your resume with the job description to secure opportunities in the best school districts and academic institutions.
For example, if an organization is heavily emphasizing differentiated instruction or student-centered learning in the job posting, provide tangible examples of you infusing these methodologies into your lesson plans. By tailoring your resume to each individual opportunity, you’ll differentiate yourself from the competition during the job hunt.
What is the best early childhood education resume format?-
The reverse chronological format is the best approach for early childhood education resumes. This ensures that your most relevant and recent experience is featured towards the top of your document. Even at the entry level, it’s best to avoid functional resumes, as this format doesn’t provide a framework for you to craft detailed bullet points. If your work history is limited, it’s still better to emphasize your experiences in education while pursuing your certification instead of only listing buzzwords and skills.
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Once you’ve completed your resume, consider adding a matching cover letter to bolster your application. To maximize the value of your cover letter, mention something specific about the organization’s reputation, mission statement, or culture in your middle paragraphs. This will show prospective employers you’ve taken the time to research the school beforehand, which reflects positively on you as a candidate. For more information, visit our teacher cover letter guide.
