There are currently over a million childcare workers in the US (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Additional information on the childcare worker role
On average, the gross salary for this position will be above $12 per hour or over $25,000 per year. This figure will vary however according to two main factors:
- the level of seniority of the childcare worker
- whether they work within the public or private sector
Childcare workers are responsible for running both enjoyable and stimulating early learning activities aimed at ensuring the well-being, autonomy, and healthy development of the children under their care. It is a post that is chiefly occupied by women.
Taking on the role of caring for and educating young children requires skills such as patience, attentiveness, kindness, and understanding, to name but a few.
You can work officially as a childcare worker; with the main bulk of work offered being within the child daycare services and private households are the main source of job openings.
How to create a childcare worker resume
If you want it to catch your recruiter’s eye, resumes for childcare worker positions need to have a well-thought-out layout and structure – ensure that your resume isn’t too crowded. In terms of length, try to avoid writing more than one side of A4.
Layout for a childcare worker resume
The page layout should be simple, professional, and perhaps evoke a certain friendliness. As for font color, you could opt for either black or navy, and go for a size between 10 and 12. Suggested fonts include Helvetica, Times New Roman or Calibri.
The structure of a childcare worker resume
- Indicate your full name and contact details
- Add your resume headline and personal statement to provide details about your role (‘childcare worker’). You could also include your specialism (‘in nurseries’)
- Outline your career history
- Mention your academic background and the national qualifications obtained allowing you to take on this role
- Specify your interpersonal skills
Writing the header for a childcare worker resume
The heading of your childcare assistant resume will provide your recruiters with a reference point against which they can analyze your application. The header must therefore contain the following elements:
- Full name
- Contact details
- Job title
- Photo (for applications overseas)
- Your hook, i.e., your personal statement / professional summary
Resume header: dos and don’ts
Salt Lake City, Utah
919-949-6218
Sophie89@hotmail.co.uk
‘Nursery assistant’
Since 2015, through various training and professional experiences, I have accumulated a wide range of skills, giving me all the tools needed to excel at this role. I am available to provide any additional information on my profile at your convenience. Having completed my studies, I am looking for a position as a nursery assistant in your establishment.
DOB: 12th September 1989/ Salt Lake City, 919-949-6218
Seeking employment as a "Nursery assistant"
I am a seasoned professional in this sector, with 5 years of work experience and 3 years of internship experience under my belt, who is ready to start work immediately.
Should a photo be included in a childcare worker resume?
We recommend you do not include a photo in your application. Most employers prefer to focus on skills, education and experience rather than how a person looks. They are also trying to avoid discriminating against a person based on looks which is illegal in the US.
Writing the resume headline for a childcare worker resume
A bit of common sense is necessary here: there’s no need to specify that you are a ‘childcare worker in a nursery’ if you’re applying for a position in a child daycare centre.
Showcasing your employment history in a childcare worker resume
Experience can make or break your application, as it shows that you have already worked in a given sector and that you really know your way around your chosen profession.
How to describe professional experiences in a childcare worker resume
- The duration as well as the months and/or years of activity need to be indicated.
- The name of the nursery or hospital (recruiter) you worked for should also be mentioned, as well as that of any clients for temp work
- Your resume headline needs to be completely unambiguous
- Your resume should also provide details on the tasks you have carried out in previous roles
Sample employment history section for an entry-level childcare worker
- Tucked in newborns at nap time to ensure they felt completely safe
- Strictly adhered to a range of health and safety guidelines
- Assisted a team of childcare workers and nurses with the care offered to young children
- Ensured the continued welfare and physical/cognitive development of the children under my care.
Sample employment history section for an experienced childcare worker
- Greeted parents and discussed their children’s needs
- Planned and ran early learning workshops
- Acted as the point of contact between parents and hospital staff
- Provided prenatal care for newborns
How to highlight your training and academic background in a childcare worker resume
What should come first in childcare worker resume: the education or the work experience section?
Whether it’s best to put your academic background first will depend on your professional experiences.
If these are non-existent, you can start things off by indicating the relevant qualifications you are due to or have already completed, and by mentioning that you are looking to break into this industry (as an intern for example)
If you do have a proven track record in this sector, you should instead begin with your career history section.
Listing your academic experiences in a childcare worker resume
The summary of your academic background needs to include information such as:
- The year of completion, or failing that, the year you are set to complete the qualification; you could also specify if it is a basic training course or an apprenticeship, whether the course is partially completed or still ongoing, etc.
- The full qualification title
- The name of the institute, college, or sixth form awarding the qualification
- Any merits or distinctions obtained should also be included
Sample education section for a childcare worker resume
Skills to include in a childcare worker resume
If you are aiming to build a career for yourself within the early learning sector and take on roles as a childcare worker, you need to ensure that you are showcasing your interpersonal skills (soft skills), which will take precedence over technical skills (hard skills).
What are the main skills required for becoming a childcare worker?
Among the main sought-after skills for childcare assistants, you could think about including the following hard skills (learned skills) relating to infant welfare:
- Administering first-aid
- Baby soothing techniques
- Organizing early learning games and activities
- Anxiety-alleviating techniques
- Ensuring proper infant nutrition
Soft skills (personal skills) related to the childcare worker role could include:
- Patience
- Compassion
- Receptiveness
- Kindness
- Affectionateness
In terms of skills, hospitals and nurseries will have understandably higher expectations for seasoned childcare workers than for young practitioners fresh out of college.
Skills for an entry-level childcare worker
Entry-level employees should possess the following attributes:
- Diligence
- Smart physical appearance
- Impeccable personal hygiene
- Patience
- Level-headedness
- First Aid
- Child food handler permit
Skills for a senior childcare worker
The most sought-after skills for experienced childcare workers include the following:- Patience
- Excellent teaching skills
- Friendliness
- Respectful attitude
- Team player
How to write a professional summary for a childcare worker resume
- Your job role (childcare worker in this case)
- Your know-how, backed up by your years of experience
Sample entry-level personal statement
Sample personal statement for an experienced childcare worker
Including additional sections in a childcare worker resume
Is it a good idea to mention IT or foreign language skills in a childcare worker resume?
While IT skills may be of limited interest, knowledge of foreign languages as well as references to your interests and hobbies could prove to be a very relevant addition to your resume.
IT skills and certifications in a childcare worker resume
Computer literacy is by no means a necessity for a career in childcare. There is therefore no need for you to mention your IT skills on your childcare worker resume.
Interests and hobbies in a childcare worker resume
If you only have a limited number of successful work experiences to include in your childcare worker resume, your interests and hobbies could be what sets you apart from the rest. They can also act as a conversation starter for recruiters at the interview stage.
Are you a fan of violent video games, MMA fighting and drunken nights out? If your pastimes clash with the ideal childcare worker profile, it’s best not to mention them!
Languages
You certainly don’t need to be fluent in a foreign language to take on the role of a childcare worker.
That said, certain private nurseries may home in on the acquisition of foreign languages, since some parents like their children to ‘interact’ in a given foreign language as early as possible. Such linguistic abilities will allow you to communicate better with these children.
If this is the case, be sure to indicate any language certifications you have obtained, as well as your level of proficiency (between A1 and C2) and your test score. For example.
Summary: key points to include when writing a childcare worker resume
- Your full name and contact details
- A resume headline indicating your role as a childcare assistant and your specialism (where applicable)
- Your personal statement, including your years of experience and your interpersonal skills as well as your expectations
- Your work experience within nurseries and/or public and private hospitals
- Your academic background
- Your soft skills
- Any possible language skills
Writing a cover letter to go alongside your childcare worker resume
Your cover letter could be what sets you apart from other candidates.
You could mention the reasons behind your passion for childcare, as well as those driving you to forge a career in a public hospital, a private clinic or within a nursery setting.
Cover letters are also an opportunity for you to give more details about the tasks you have carried out in previous roles in your career and to showcase your various accomplishments.
If you lack formal work experience, your cover letter will allow you to answer the most important question: ‘what makes me the best person for the job?’