Preschool Teacher Resume Examples for 2023

Early childhood education gives children under 5 years old the foundation they need at a developmental stage. So much more than daycare, preschool teachers play a critical role in child development. Preschools everywhere are looking to hire qualified educators to help guide young children through this formative phase. The job outlook reflects this, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting employment of preschool teachers to grow by 18% over the next decade, much higher than the average for all occupations.

 

To help you land one of those excellent opportunities in a preschool teacher job, you’ll need a solid resume to stand out from the crowd.

Preschool teachers both educate and care for young children, so recruiters are seeking applicants that have the skills necessary to teach language, motor, and social skills to young children. In addition, applicants should demonstrate that they possess the required soft skills to carry out childcare responsibilities.

When organizing your resume sections, there are three general resume formats you can follow. These are the chronological format, which emphasizes work history, the functional format, which emphasizes skills, and the combination format, which emphasizes both. These formats utilize the same sections but in different order.

 

 

The header with your contact information will always be at the top of your resume regardless of your chosen format. This will include your full name and any professional portfolio links (such as LinkedIn), in addition to your phone number and email. It’s essential to make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to contact you.

 

 

The resume summary or resume objective comes next. A resume summary is a brief overview stating what your relevant experience can bring to the preschool. It is a clear and concise two or three-sentence paragraph that details your career background and any specialties you want to highlight. In contrast, a resume objective is a brief statement that communicates your career goals. If you have less experience of preschool teaching, then this may be the better option.

 

 

For a preschool teaching, spotlight key competencies and skills that you possess to help fulfill the job description. Choose a mix of hard and soft skills to highlight. Preschool recruiters are looking for the following skills in applicants.

• Classroom management skills
• Knowledge of relevant learning theory (Montessori, for example)
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving
• Experience with lesson plans
• Organizational skills
• Time management
• Creativity – can get specific if you have arts and crafts experience or storytelling abilities that can translate to learning activities
• First aid 
• Empathy and compassion

In the skills section of your preschool teacher resume, it’s crucial to convey that you have the personality traits conducive to a caring, compassionate caregiver. Then, back this up with some knowledge and expertise in the principles of education.

 

 

List your previous work experience in reverse chronological order in this section. Include any prior experience working in preschools or education with a brief overview of your duties. Remember, the emphasis is to demonstrate your relevant experience and how this will apply to a future role within a preschool. You can still include other work experiences outside of education. Just remember to highlight experiences that show the relevant competencies that will apply to the role of a preschool teacher. To this end, add any relevant internships or professional development like teacher conferences.

 

 

Education and training requirements vary from state to state for preschool teachers. It’s essential to establish that you have the necessary documents to take care of children in a classroom setting. This section is your opportunity to share your relevant education. This may mean a bachelor’s degree in Education or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. You typically need at least an associate’s degree.

Check out these bullet points for some basic tips:

 

Do:

• Make a professional resume. That means covering the basics like checking for spelling and punctuation errors and ensuring your layout is clear and readable.
• Tailor your resume to the specific job application and use the job description provided. Hiring managers will want to see that you tick their boxes, so it’s advisable to feature information that they will be looking for.
• Express an awareness of the ideal classroom environment, special education needs, and current educational theory. Whether you are an entry-level educator or a seasoned professional, your resume should show you are aware of the demands of young learners.

Don’t

• Overpromise on your experience or expertise in the learning environment. Skillful interviewers can quickly gauge if someone has falsified their resume.
• Overload your experience section with every responsibility you’ve ever had. Include only the most noteworthy and relevant. If the hiring manager wants to know more, they will ask you at the job interview.
• Write your resume without any help. That’s what the ResumeHelp resume builder is there for.