example personal statement childcare

Childcare CV example

If you’re seeking a role in childcare – whether that’s at an after-school club, in a residential home or simply as a private nanny – you’ll need a strong CV.

A well-structured, easy-to-read CV which highlights your key skills and experience, will triple your chances of winning the role.

I’ve created this in-depth guide, complete with an example childcare CV, to teach you how to write an effective and impactful CV.

Here’s what I’ll cover in the guide:

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your childcare CV

CV templates 

The childcare CV example above showcases how you can display your childcare experience, skills and relevant qualifications in a way which looks sleek, professional and organised.

Every CV will be unique, but this should give you a good idea of the high standard you should aim for.

Build your CV now 

Childcare CV structure & format

A cluttered, disorganised, hard-to-read CV  certainly won’t help to convince employers that you’re a thoughtful, caring and responsible candidate.

So, it’s vital to give plenty of thought to the format and structure of your CV, to ensure your information looks professional, is well-organised and easy-to-read.

The image below shows a simple yet effective structure, as well as some savvy formatting tricks, to ensure your CV is up to standard:

Formatting Tips

• Chunky blocks of text can be difficult to read (not to mention boring!). Break up your information by incorporating columns, bullet points and lists, as well as ensuring there’s some white space between sections.
• Choose a simple colour scheme – black and white usually does the trick – and a clear, legible font. This way, the focus of your CV will be on the content, rather than an elaborate and distracting design.
• A childcare CV should be no more than 2 sides of A4 – this gives enough space to prove your suitability, without becoming overwhelming and time-consuming for the reader.
• Avoid overloading your CV with imagery. Company logos and profile pictures don’t add any value to your CV and could distract attention from key content.
• In the UK, it’s against the law to consider age, race or gender during the hiring process, so including a profile photo could actually be a disadvantage when applying for a role within an organisation.  However, if you’re applying to be a childminder  directly to a family, you might consider including a photo. If you do choose to include one, just make sure it looks polished and professional.

Structuring your CV

Break your CV into clearly defined sections working towards the below structure:

• Contact details – Top your CV with your basic contact details.
• Profile – Write a 5-10 line summary of your childcare skills, experience and qualifications, showcasing why you’re the perfect fit for the sector.
• Work experience / Career history – List your work experience, focusing on any roles you’ve had within care.
• Education – Detail your relevant qualifications, especially those which are relevant to childcare roles.
• Interest and hobbies – An optional section, which you can use to document any hobbies which could further prove your suitability for the childcare industry.

Don’t worry, we’ll go through each section in more detail so that you know exactly what you need to include .

CV Contact Details

The first thing you write on your CV  should always be your contact details. This way, recruiters, employers or clients can contact you for an interview with ease.

Here’s what you need to include:

• Phone number
• Email address

Quick Tip:  Remove extra details, such as your DOB, marital status or full address (a town or city will do). At this stage, only the basics are needed, so anything extra is simply a waste of space.

Childcare CV Profile

Childcare roles often get numerous applications, meaning employers, recruiters or families may well have a huge pile of CVs to sort through.

Your CV profile  (or  personal statement for junior candidates) is probably the first thing they’ll read, making it a great way to hook their attention and entice them to read the rest of your application.

It should be a short but punchy summary of why you’re a great fit for the childcare sector, detailing a high-level overview of your relevant skills, experience and qualifications.

Tips to consider when creating your profile:

• Be unique, not generic – cliché phrases like  “I am a team player”  are written on every other CV and have completely lost their value. Focus on giving real examples of your relevant skills and achievements within the childcare vocation.
• Keep your profile short, snappy and high-level. The ideal length is 5-10 lines – save the detail for later on in your CV.
• You should tailor your profile to the childcare sector, as well as the individual role you’re applying for. For example, if the job description says knowledge of childcare legislation is essential, you should mention your experience of this area in your profile.
• Don’t discuss your career goals in your profile – this type of information is best suited to your cover letter.

What to include in your childcare CV profile?

• Level of experience  – Have you worked in children’s homes, had several years experience as a nanny , or is will this be your first childcare role? Whatever your level of experience, you need to make it clear to the reader.
• Relevant qualifications  – If you have any relevant qualifications, you should mention them in your profile. This might be a first-aid certification, a diploma in early years education, a social work degree or an NVQ/BTEC in childcare. A driving license and DBS check are crucial for most childcare roles, so include these too.
• Childcare skills and knowledge  – Read over the job description and decipher what skills and knowledge the employer is looking for and incorporate these into your profile – for example, safeguarding, crisis management, children’s mental health or SEN.
• Where you’ve worked  – Residential children’s homes? Playgroups? After-school clubs? Children’s hospital? Nannies? After-school club? Nursery? Summarise your childcare or nanny experience to date.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Core skills section

Following your profile with a snappy core skills section will add even more impact to the top of your childcare CV.

Create a columned and bullet-pointed list of your key points, making sure to match up your skills to the ones listed in the job description.

This allows recruiters to see your suitability for the role as soon as they glance at your CV.

Work experience/Career history

By this point, employers will be keen to dig out the detail about your relevant experience.

Starting with your most recent role and working backwards, list your career history to date.

If you’ve held tens of short-term or part-time nanny/childcare roles over the years, share more detail about your most recent roles and shorten down descriptions for your older positions. Don’t have enough space? You could always club roles together, for example ‘2000-2005 – Babysitter (multiple clients)’ .

Will this be your first role in childcare? You should still provide some insight into your career history – and you might have more relevant experience than you initially think! Other care or educational positions, such as a care worker or teaching assistant, require similar skills to most childcare roles – so they’re well worth discussing.

Additionally, volunteering at a youth or after-school club, or looking after children on an informal basis, all show commitment to the sector and should be listed in your experience section.

Structuring your roles

A disorganised and cluttered-looking work experience section can be highly off-putting to recruiters.

Make sure yours reflects your professionalism and is easy-to-read, by using the 3-step structure shown below:

Start with an overview of the role as a whole, discussing like who you worked for, what type of care you gave and the ages of the children cared for.

“Provided care to vulnerable children at a residential service centre, supporting education and individual life programmes, promoting skills and independence, whilst maintaining safeguarding procedures and working closely with families as appropriate.”

Key responsibilities

Next, use bullet points to detail your key responsibilities and duties within the role.

• Dealing with challenging behaviour and helping children to develop self-control techniques.
• Planning and participating in a variety of on and off-site activities.
• Undertaking sleep-in duties on a rota basis.

Key achievements

Lastly, prove the value you added to the company and/or children you supported, by displaying your achievements within the role.

If you can, quantify your examples with hard facts and figures.

• Awarded “Child Care Worker of the Month” for 3 months in a single year.
• Received 10+ written commendations from parents for efficiency, patience and dedication to the welfare of their children.

Next, you need to detail your qualifications or certifications, including where and when you gained them.

While many childcare roles have a low barrier to entry, there are a wide range of qualifications which will benefit a career in the sector, ranging from childcare NVQ’s  and care certificates , all the way to social work and early years degrees .

Relevant certifications and vocational courses, such as First Aid or CPR, will be a good advantage, too.

If this will be your first working role or you’re a school leaver, just list your highest qualifications, such as your GCSE’s or A-Levels.

Interests and hobbies

The hobbies section of your CV is totally optional, but you may use it to list personal pursuits you feel could add value to your application.

Generic hobbies like  ‘going out with friends’ or  ‘reading’  won’t add anything, so leave these out.

However, hobbies which demonstrate commitment, communication skills, creativity or teamwork, such as being part of a sports team, learning a language or having a creative talent, are worth listing. After all, you could potentially pass these talents on to the children in your care!

Essential skills for your childcare CV

The specific skills needed for your CV will vary depending on the specific role, so remember to match your skills up with the job requirements. However, the following skills will be beneficial for most childcare roles:

Pediatric first aid –  Ability to administer emergency first aid to a child with a sudden or chronic illness or injury is essential – an accredited certification is a huge selling point, too.

CPR  – Knowledge and practice of reviving breath in an individual who has stopped breathing.

Health & safety – Keeping children of all ages safe and healthy, working to prevent injuries and illnesses.

Driving – If you’re working as a childminder or nanny, a full driving license is often essential.

Domestic skills – Whether you’re working directly with a family or in a residential home, you may be expected to undertake light domestic duties, such as cleaning.

Cooking –  In smaller clubs or organisations without a dedicated cook, you may need to cook fresh and healthy meals suitable for individual dietary requirements.

Newborn and toddler care  – This will depend on the age of children in your care, but generally, childcare workers should be able to change nappies, prepare baby formula and carry out general newborn/toddler care without trouble.

Writing your childcare CV

By following this childcare CV guide from start to finish, you’ll be able to create a flawless CV which proves you’d make a committed and reliable hire.

All the best with your job search!

• Ask a question Ask
• go advanced Search
• Please enter a title
• Please enter a message
• Your discussion will live here... (Start typing, we will pick a forum for you) Please select a forum Change forum View more forums... View less forums... GCSEs A-levels Applications, Clearing and UCAS University Life Student Finance England Part-time and temporary employment Chat Everyday issues Friends, family and work Relationships Health News Student Surveys and Research
• post anonymously
• All study help
• Uni applications
• University and HE colleges
• University help and courses
• University student life

Postgraduate

• Careers and jobs
• Teacher training
• Finance and accountancy
• Relationships
• Sexual health
• Give feedback or report a problem
• University and university courses
• Universities and HE colleges
• Life and style
• Entertainment
• Debate and current affairs
• Careers and Jobs
• Scottish qualifications
• Foreign languages
• GCSE articles
• A-level articles
• Exam and revision articles
• What to do after GCSEs
• What to do after A-levels
• When is A-level results day 2024?
• When is GCSE results day 2024?
• Studying, revision and exam support
• Grow your Grades

Exam results articles and chat

• Exam results homepage
• A guide to GCSE and A-level grade boundaries
• Year 13 chat
• Year 12 chat
• Year 11 chat

A-level results

• Guide to A-level results day
• Get help preparing for results day
• A-level retakes and resits
• Exam reviews and remarks
• Here’s what to expect on A-level results day
• Six ways to help results day nerves
• Understanding your A-level results slip

GCSE results

• Guide to GCSE results day
• How GCSE combined science grades work
• Stressed about GCSE results day?
• Understanding your GCSE results slip

Finding a uni in Clearing

• Clearing articles and chat
• UK university contact details
• Guide to Clearing
• Seven things people get wrong about Clearing
• How to make a great Clearing call
• Finding accommodation after Clearing
• How Clearing can help you prepare for results day
• All universities
• Applying through Ucas
• Student finance
• Personal statement
• Postgraduate study
• Uni accommodation
• University life
• All uni courses
• Apprenticeships
• Arts and humanities courses
• Stem courses
• Social science courses

Universities by region

• North of England
• South of England
• Greater London
• Distance learning
• International study

University guides and articles

• All university articles
• Applying to uni articles
• Personal statements
• Personal statement examples
• University open days
• Studying law at university
• Student life at university
• Careers and jobs discussion
• Apprenticeships discussion
• Part-time and temp jobs
• Career forums by sector
• Armed forces careers
• Consultancy careers
• Finance careers
• Legal careers
• Marketing careers
• Medicine and healthcare careers
• Public sector careers
• Stem careers
• Teaching careers
• General chat
• Relationships chat
• Friends, family and colleagues
• Advice on everyday issues
• General health
• Mental health
• UK and world politics
• Educational debate

Undergraduate

• Postgraduate Master’s Loan
• Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
• Disabled Students’ Allowances
• Taking a break or withdrawing from your course

Further information

• Parents and partners
• Advanced Learner Loan
• Social sciences personal statements

Early childhood studies degree personal statement example (1a)

Jesuit says ‘Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man’

Of all the work experience I have done there is one particular experience that has stuck with me. While spending seven weeks at a local pre-school I met a young boy who didn't interact with anyone, none of the children or the staff. I was asked if I could spend some extra time with him. Over the course of the seven weeks, I managed to draw him away from the cars that he was so fond of playing with, and encouraged him to do his first drawing, which then led to his first painting. This was my biggest achievement and one that gave me immense satisfaction.

This experience made me question a child’s development; how do they draw? What do they draw? Can we tell anything about a child's life from their drawings? How do children perceive the world around them at various ages? Are there aspects of our modern world that affect young children’s development? Such questions fascinate me and the more I study them, and the more complex I realise a child's development is.

From reading the work of Victor Lowenfield and Betty Edwards my first question can start to be addressed. They believe that you can tell a child’s level of development by the way that they draw. The one stage that really caught my eye was at three years which is known as the ‘the pre-schematic stage’ they are beginning to form people. I think this has a lot to do with who they socialise with, as children are always surrounded by people and are rarely left on their own. They draw what they know and at this age all they really know is people. Young children are social beings; they develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially, increasingly in socialising and becoming less solipsistic.

I have enjoyed my range of A-level subjects. I currently study health and social care, which relates well to an early childhood studies course. It has allowed me to study a unit in early childhood development where I learnt about factors that affect a child’s development, as well as a topic about caring for the elderly. The Communication topic has allowed me to study the different ways that people communicate and how some people struggle with communicating effectively. I feel that this has given me a general idea of the care required for people of all ages.

As well as health and social care, I’ve studied psychology, where I have particularly liked the units on attachment and certain behaviours and where they come from. This has given me a good understanding of how important early childhood experiences are on our adult personalities and emotional and psychological wellbeing.

I feel that I am an organised person and although I like to have fun, I can be serious when it comes to completing work and meeting deadlines.

In the future I aim to work with children with disabilities as this is where I am most interested; I look forward to studying a course that will provide me with the opportunity to do this and give me the opportunity to the progress to a really fulfilling career.

Universities Applied to:

• Portsmouth (Early Childhood Studies)

Grades Achieved:

• Share this story :
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on Pinterest
• Latest Latest
• Trending Trending
• create my feed
• Edit my feed
• 0 new posts
• Started by: Oscarb1123
• Forum: A-levels
• Last post: 1 minute ago
• Started by: Anonymous
• Forum: Advice on everyday issues
• Started by: Fishywy
• Forum: Personal Statement Advice
• Last post: 3 minutes ago
• Started by: sdfj
• Forum: Forum games
• Replies: 4197
• Last post: 6 minutes ago
• Started by: Whatsapp123
• Forum: Secondary school, sixth form and FE college
• Last post: 9 minutes ago
• Forum: University of Hertfordshire
• Last post: 13 minutes ago
• Started by: Bagpuss567
• Last post: 15 minutes ago
• Forum: Relationships
• Replies: 13
• Started by: tsr270421
• Forum: Economics and PPE university courses
• Last post: 16 minutes ago
• Started by: elareare
• Replies: 323
• Started by: lowkeytired
• Forum: Friends, family and colleagues
• Replies: 5133
• Last post: 17 minutes ago
• Started by: kellytiglao
• Forum: Nursing and Midwifery
• Replies: 14
• Last post: 18 minutes ago
• Started by: Yinbeemie
• Forum: Grow your Grades
• Replies: 34
• Last post: 21 minutes ago
• Forum: University of Bath
• Last post: 25 minutes ago
• Started by: Nameer06
• Forum: Medicine
• Started by: McGinger
• Replies: 626
• Last post: 26 minutes ago
• Started by: shr_ya
• Forum: GCSEs
• Last post: 27 minutes ago
• Started by: nextstep24
• Forum: Apprenticeships and alternatives to university
• Last post: 28 minutes ago
• Last post: 32 minutes ago
• Started by: 04MR17
• Forum: University College London
• Replies: 203
• Last post: 59 minutes ago
• Forum: University of Manchester
• Replies: 690
• Last post: 1 hour ago
• Started by: Scotland Yard
• Replies: 616
• Last post: 2 hours ago
• Started by: Lazlay
• Forum: Civil service, public sector and public services
• Replies: 866
• Started by: Durham University
• Forum: Durham University
• Replies: 1587
• Replies: 192
• Started by: Saracen's Fez
• Forum: UK and World Politics
• Replies: 992
• Last post: 3 hours ago
• Started by: Sandtrooper
• Forum: Cambridge Postgraduate
• Replies: 8247
• Last post: 6 hours ago
• Started by: maiarhysdavies
• Forum: King's College London
• Replies: 799
• Last post: 8 hours ago
• Started by: Chi chi5
• Replies: 939
• Last post: 17 hours ago
• Started by: Lc627183
• Replies: 287
• Last post: 1 day ago
• Started by: emm4nuella
• Replies: 975
• Started by: PileaP
• Replies: 210
• Started by: Blinkr
• Replies: 387
• Started by: ma_they
• Forum: University of Bristol
• Replies: 120
• Last post: 2 days ago
• Started by: normaw
• Replies: 50
• Started by: KA_P
• Replies: 1125
• Last post: 6 days ago
• Started by: Student294886
• Forum: Medical Schools
• Replies: 187
• Last post: 1 week ago
• Started by: unsure-student
• Started by: shooks
• I know my ideal uni and course
• I know my ideal uni but not course
• I know my ideal course but not uni
• I'm not sure yet
• Tell us more about your answer in the thread!

The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group.

• Main topics
• GCSE and A-level
• Exam results
• Life and relationships

Get Started

• Today's posts
• Unanswered posts
• Community guidelines
• TSR help centre
• Cookies & online safety
• Terms & conditions
• Privacy notice

Connect with TSR

© Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved

The Student Room and The Uni Guide are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd.

Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB

Just added to your cart

How to Write an Effective Childcare Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your chance to showcase your passion for working with children, your relevant experience, and your future goals in the field of childcare. Be sure to carefully plan and edit your statement to ensure it highlights your unique qualities and demonstrates your commitment to this important field.

When applying for a childcare program, a personal statement is a crucial component of your application. This is your opportunity to showcase your passion for working with children, your relevant experience, and your future goals in the field of childcare. Here are some tips to help you write an effective childcare personal statement:

Start with a strong opening : Begin your personal statement with a statement that grabs the attention of the admissions committee. Consider sharing a personal anecdote or a thought-provoking statement that highlights your interest in the field of childcare.

Highlight your relevant experience: Admissions committees want to see that you have relevant experience in childcare. This could be anything from volunteering at a local daycare to babysitting for friends and family. Be sure to include any experience that demonstrates your passion for working with children.

Demonstrate your knowledge of the field: Show that you have a strong understanding of the current issues and trends in childcare. Discuss any research you have conducted or any articles you have read. This will demonstrate your motivation to learn and your ability to critically evaluate information.

Discuss your future goals: Be clear about your career aspirations and how a childcare program will help you achieve them. You may also want to discuss how your experiences have led you to this point and what you hope to contribute to the field of childcare in the future.

Show your personality: Your personal statement should not only showcase your academic achievements, but also provide insight into who you are as a person. Be sure to include information about your hobbies, interests, and personal values that make you a unique and valuable candidate.

Edit and proofread: Finally, make sure to proofread and edit your personal statement. This is your opportunity to make a strong impression, so take the time to ensure your statement is error-free and polished.

In conclusion, a strong childcare personal statement requires careful planning and attention to detail. By highlighting your relevant experience, demonstrating your knowledge of the field, discussing your future goals, showing your personality, and carefully editing your statement, you can create a compelling and memorable personal statement that will help you stand out from the crowd.

• Share Share on Facebook
• Tweet Tweet on Twitter
• Pin it Pin on Pinterest
• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.

Capabilities

Child care philosophy: why it matters & how to define yours.

Clearly defining your child care philosophy into a set of guiding principles is an excellent way to set your center apart and improve your operations. By defining a philosophy, you can establish the character and values of your center and communicate that character to parents. 

Let’s talk about the meaning of child care philosophy, why it matters to your center, and how you can establish your own child care philosophy statement. 

We’ll also introduce five well-known child care philosophies you can play with at your center.

What is a Child Care Philosophy?

A child care philosophy is a statement of your center’s goals, beliefs and values about the nature of child development, the role of child care, and the methods and goals of education. As a set of principles guiding your center, it is broad and comprehensive, covering every aspect of child care.

A good child care philosophy is rooted in a model of child development and points to the objectives of the center and its curriculum. 

It defines your center’s purpose , its role in the life of the child and its relationship to the community .

Why is a Child Care Philosophy Important?

Every child care center holds the mission of nurturing children’s potential. But in the classroom, it’s not always obvious what choices will help children learn and grow. Establishing a child care philosophy simplifies decision-making by clarifying your center’s beliefs and priorities in education. 

With a child care philosophy in place, all decisions, from broad strategies like curriculum models, to interactions with individual children, can be made with reference to your center’s principles. 

Crucially, a child care philosophy helps you communicate your child care approach to parents. This reduces misunderstandings and builds trust, since parents can rely on you to act in accordance with the philosophy you present.

Free Report

2023 child care industry trends report.

We conducted an email survey of more than 100,000 child care leaders and teachers. See what they had to say about the current state of the industry.

5 Child Care Philosophies You Should Know

To help define the philosophy of your center, it can be useful to understand existing child care philosophies. Studying the five child care philosophies described here may provide inspiration for your own philosophy statement and help you identify the values that define your child care business. 

Developmental Child Care

The most common philosophy of child care in the United States, developmental child care, combines insights from various child care approaches into a philosophy that nurtures every developmental sphere. It holds a constructivist view of learning, integrating child-directed and hands-on activities with teacher-led learning, direct instruction and technology. In this model, children develop physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally through play-based learning, and teaching is primarily conducted interactively. The role of the teacher is to be a secure and supportive mentor and form an empathetic connection with the child, guiding them to their potential and setting healthy limits. Classrooms are homelike and comfortable environments where children are safe and free to explore.

The Development-Interaction Approach (The Bank Street Method)

The Bank Street Method, also known as the Development-Interaction Approach to preschool, is descended from the Progressive educational theories of John Dewey. It is a child-directed model of learning that prioritizes the freedom of the child and the expertise of the teacher in pedagogy. Teaching any specific content is de-emphasized. Instead, teachers observe children’s activities to guide children to success and find spontaneous learning opportunities. With children’s natural interests as a starting point, children can learn how to learn while exploring the things that they care about.

Self-Directed Discovery (The Montessori Method)

The Montessori Method was developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori, one of the first educators to develop a constructivist model of child development. She recognized that children do not learn passively, through direct instruction, but rather actively, through exploring the world. Her child care philosophy stresses that children should have a high degree of independence within a structured environment. It is through the creation of an ordered environment, rather than through instruction, that educators can help guide children’s learning. It’s believed that time devoted to the Montessori classroom activities will help children develop focus, discipline, independence and a love of learning. 

The Self-Directed-Developmental Approach (Reggio Emilia Pedagogy)

Influenced by Montessori, the Reggio Emilia approach to pedagogy is a self-directed model of learning that emphasizes self-expression and collaboration. In this philosophy, children have the right to develop their own potential according to their preferences and ideas. The Reggio Emilia model looks at the child as an apprentice to the teacher and the teacher as a co-learner with the child, especially by working on long-term projects. Teachers are encouraged to participate in the same activities as children, asking questions and guiding kids toward learning.

Play-based Learning (The Waldorf Approach)

Waldorf education is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, a German philosopher and educator. A holistic approach with a strong focus on imagination and freedom and a rejection of grades and tests, individual Waldorf schools differ widely in their curriculum but are united by their embrace of play-based learning and experiential education. Waldorf educators believe that children have a natural tendency to play, and that play is the child’s primary way of relating to the world. That play, however, is done within a structured weekly routine of games and activities. “Active learning” is taken literally in the Waldorf approach, and the use of technology like computers and tablets is discouraged, since it’s seen as promoting passivity. 

How to Define Your Child Care Philosophy

Write Down Your Child Care Beliefs As an educator, it’s probable that you have opinions or subscribe to one or more schools of thought concerning child development. Take some time to go over those ideas by yourself or with fellow staff, writing down your understanding of how kids grow and learn, and what they need most to help them reach their full potential. Examples of questions that can help you define your beliefs in child care are: 

• Should learning primarily be child-led or teacher-led?
• What is the role of play and socialization? 
• Do children learn better in small or large groups?
• What kind of assessments should be done on children’s learning?

Consider Child Care Values in Your Community When it comes to defining the goals and values of your center, your thoughts as an educator take a leading role, but all stakeholders should be involved. Keep the values of your center’s community in mind and engage with parents to find out what they want and expect from your center. Actively seeking parents’ input will open your center to new ideas and help you build rapport with families. Ultimately, you and families both want their kids to be happy, healthy and well-prepared for school, so knowing how parents feel about the role of child care should be a key part of the process.

Envision Roles and Expectations for Kids, Parents and Providers Your child care philosophy will help you understand what part everyone must play in education. Consider whether staff will be primarily responsible for leading activities, or will act as observers and guides. How will the unique learning style of each child be accommodated, and what are the goals for each child’s education? It’s also important to consider how you can serve the needs of parents and how they contribute to your center. Depending on your community, serving parent needs may include acknowledgement of cultural diversity or accommodation of family structures and routines. Parents can contribute by preparing their children for child care, cooperating with the goals of the center and participating in the child care community.

Set Priorities for Your Curriculum & Learning Environment Depending on your beliefs about child care, how each child learns and what prepares children best for the future, you’ll be able to establish the goals of your child care curriculum and learning environment. If your philosophy is more academic, you may prefer a structured curriculum, but if it’s more play-based, you’ll want to focus on child-led education These differences will be reflected in your lesson plans . The environment you set up will be oriented around the goals of your curriculum and its key learning activities. For example, if your philosophy is grounded in the Montessori approach, you’ll want to include Montessori’s sensory learning materials in each room.

Draft Your Child Care Philosophy Now that you’ve thought about the goals of your center, it’s time to write down your child care philosophy. Explain your beliefs, goals, values and commitments: what your center provides, the expectations of staff and children, the role of parents, and the outcomes you hope to achieve for each child. Once you’re finished, you can share your philosophy and values with members of your child care community. You may also want to review and rethink your philosophy every 6-12 months to clarify and strengthen your principles while reflecting the growth of your center.

Bring Your Child Care Philosophy to Life with Procare Solutions

A child care philosophy isn’t just a piece of paper, it’s a way of life for your entire center. Every day at your child care center should be guided by the beliefs and values you uphold. With Procare Solutions, it’s easier than ever to plan lessons that reflect your educational values.

Our modern, easy-to-use child care software lets you create custom assessments, track milestones and share lesson plans with parents for at-home learning. Plus, you can apply state learning standards and Montessori standards directly to each lesson, simplifying the process of meeting learning goals for each child.

Ready to find out how you can effortlessly plan lessons around your child care philosophy?

Request a Demo

Talk with a friendly Procare expert to get a tailored child care solution for the unique needs of your business.

• List of Sensory Activities for Infants & Toddlers
• 25 Questions for Daycare Providers to Ask Parents About Their Child
• Daycare Age Ranges: Understanding the Differences
• What a Drop in Child Care Funding Means and What States are Doing
• 10 Early Childhood Behavior Management Strategies

Understanding 2024 Trends in the Child Care Industry

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Get the latest updates, subscribe today!

• Name First Last
• Center Name
• Business Type Business Type In-Home Child Care A Child Care Center Multi-Center or Franchise Centers School District Before and After School Program
• Role Role Owner Director Assistant Director Administrator CPA/Bookkeeper Teacher Parent Educator Consultant Other
• Center Status Center Status An Established Center A New Center - Opening Soon Current Procare User Other
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Procare provides comprehensive child care management software with the power to help you take control at every point of your business.

Related Resources

Stages of play & their role in child care.

The six stages of play are how children learn at different ages. Let's look at how to incorporate play activities into your child care center!

Nine Steps to Choose the Best Daycare Curriculum

We’re giving you a step-by-step guide to creating or choosing the best daycare curriculum for your center.

Culture of Care: Improving Culture in Your Child Care Center

Improving culture in your child care center isn’t something that happens overnight. Learn how to institute a culture of care in your child care center.

Writing A Personal Philosophy For Childcare

• Written by  Lorina
• January 5, 2024

From: Aussie Childcare Network

Writing a personal philosophy is a great way for others to read what your values and beliefs are in regard to early childhood education. The following article provides information on how to write a personal philosophy including details of what can be included, questions to think about and examples of personal philosophies.

As an educator, your own philosophical concept of early childhood education distinguishes you as an Educator. It's a declaration of your values, which in turn guides your actions. 

What Is A Personal Philosophy

A personal philosophy clearly defines you as an Educator. It is a statement of reflection about your beliefs that influence your actions. It's the process of continuously examining, testifying and verifying your personal beliefs.  It is a tool that not only guides your own teaching and beliefs but also helps other Educators and Parents understand your individual approach to early learning.

How To Write A Personal Philosophy

The personal philosophy of early childhood education should be used as a tool that not only guides your own teaching but also helps your staff and parents understand your individual approach to early learning.

If someone asked you to explain your personal philosophy in early childhood education, what would you say? How would you begin to formulate a statement that captures the essence of your beliefs about teaching and learning? It can include -

• How children learn,
• Your role as the educator,
• the Role of the community,
• Your understanding of early childhood education,
• Your commitment to further professional development,
• Role of families

The following are some of the most important areas you may want to address in your personal philosophy. 

• Take some time to express your thoughts about the job of an educator. Include your thoughts on child-led vs. teacher-led activities, the educator's involvement in playtime and the presenting of brand new ideas vs. discoveries made by the children on their own. Include a statement that expresses your true hopes and expectations for the children.
• What are your thoughts on how youngsters learn best? What kinds of activities and opportunities do you think should be included in the environment to help all children learn to their full potential, regardless of their preferred learning style? What impact might the child's preferred learning style have on the child's position as a knowledge receiver? Include both planned and open-ended learning activities, and discuss what you believe is the appropriate ratio of each in the room.
• As you educate diverse children, talk about how you'll handle varied personalities, learning styles, special needs, and cultural diversity. Include a statement on how children with unique learning needs will be welcomed in your classroom, as well as your specific tactics for fulfilling their needs as well as the requirements of others children. Embracing diversity is critical to creating a warm and welcoming learning environment. You'll want to make sure you clearly outline how you'll address a variety of demands when writing your philosophy.
• Plan out your curricular orientation, including details on how you came to hold the values you do. However, be careful not to disparage alternative ways when discussing this stage. Instead, consider tying your curricular orientation information to your prior assertions regarding the educator's role in early childhood education.
• Describe how you handle any behavioural difficulties that arise in this part, as well as why you think your method will succeed. Provide examples. 
• Finally, decide how parents and other primary caregivers will be included. Outline your plan for involving parents and keeping lines of communication open with family members.
• Clear statements about what you believe and how you intend to implement and support your beliefs.
• Explain the values that guide your teaching beliefs.
• Including specific examples of teaching theories and approaches
• Include child development theorists that you like and provide examples
• Relate your philosophy to current trends and theories, as this philosophy should guide your actions as an early childhood educator.
• Links to the EYLF (or approved learning framework), Code of Ethics

It is truly up to you to create a philosophy that accurately expresses your unique teaching style, values and beliefs when it comes to early childhood education. A good way to think of it is by writing down some of your beliefs regarding children's development and learning.

Questions To Think About

Use the following questions to help you think about your beliefs regarding teaching young children. It is not necessary to respond to each of these questions in your written philosophy. You may also decide to comment on additional issues as well. Take some time to think about each one in some depth.

• How do you view young children?
• What is the child’s role in their development and learning?
• What do you believe about how young children learn?
• How do you view your role as an Educator?
• How will your views influence your teaching?
• What kind of environment do you hope to create? How does this relate to your basic beliefs about young children and learning?
• What do you hope young children will become?
• What do you want them to achieve, accomplish, learn, feel, etc.?
• What kind of assessment in childcare  will you use to be sure that children have met objectives?
• Looking back at the history of early childhood education, who or what approaches have the greatest impression on you, and why?

Examples Of Personal Philosophies

Here are some examples of personal philosophies:

• I believe that each child is an individual and as an educator, I will value and develop each child's strengths, interests, skills, abilities and knowledge to extend their learning.
• I believe that children learn through play. I will provide opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine.
• I believe in cultural diversity. I will celebrate the benefits of diversity with each individual child and enable them to understand and acknowledge differences.
• I believe young children are very concerned about themselves and the small world they live in: family and home. However, each child is unique with different interests, backgrounds, and developmental stages.
• I believe the environment plays a major role in the success of an early childhood program. It should enhance the children’s interests in all developmental domains. I believe learning in an early childhood environment is done most successfully through stations that can be visited, explored, and revisited again and again. The environment should take into consideration the social skills, communication skills, physical abilities or challenges, and learning styles of the children being served.
• I consider families a vital aspect of my program. Parents who are able to spend time in the classroom occasionally are more aware of the details of their child’s day. Observing what goes on first-hand helps a parent know what to ask the child at the end of the school day.”
• The early years of a child’s life are busy. I believe learning is happening all the time and is interwoven through all developmental domains. These include: physical, social/emotional, cognitive and communication. Therefore, the goal of my program is to make this ongoing learning experience safe, positive, and fun, nurturing the whole child as I strive to guide them into the next stage of development with confidence in themselves and an excitement for continued learning.
• Children need the assurance of being loved and cared for while they are enjoying an educational environment. Teaching children is my passion. Security and trust are very important components as well, of my relationship with each child.
• In planning my program I would strive for a developmentally appropriate, child-centred atmosphere where children have the opportunity to master new challenges through activities and topics that are meaningful to them, thus building their self-esteem as they develop and learn.
• Children should be given choices, responsibilities, and opportunities to initiate their own learning. I believe observations and assessments are excellent tools to use when planning a curriculum. Observations, not only aid in creating the curriculum but also give insight into the development, knowledge and skill levels of each individual child.

I believe that as an early childhood educator I am responsible for providing infants, toddlers and young children with positive learning experiences. I strive to model respect, patience, and care for children and adults I come in contact with. Children have the right to have their needs met and receive the proper education while in the care of their caregivers.

My philosophy is based on theorists, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky, and the early childhood movement from Reggio Emilia, Italy. I believe that children benefit from practices that are grounded in research.

Children are motivated to learn when they have opportunities to make choices in an environment that is enriching and stimulating. Children are curious from infancy and have a desire to learn from their environment and those around them. When children are encouraged to interact with their peers and adults in positive ways, they feel safe to explore their surroundings.

As a teacher, I seek to guide children from needing assistance with a task to accomplishing a task independently by providing experiences that are challenging yet attainable for every child. I facilitate learning through the in-depth study of a subject that is of interest to children. Children can be highly motivated, feel actively involved in their own learning and produce work of high quality when they have the time to engage in short and long term projects.

My role as a teacher is to be a facilitator and provide enriching activities so that children are supported as they learn about their strengths and work on their weaknesses. As a facilitator, I support children as they embark on a journey to make discoveries about themselves and learn to recognize and name their feelings.

My goal as a teacher is to provide children with a rich environment where they feel safe to explore, initiate learning, and feel free to express themselves.

As a teacher, I seek to form a close relationship with each child under my care, and their families. I make use of our communities' resources and incorporate the child’s community into the program. I see each child as a unique individual with a great capacity to learn and able to make positive contributions to those around him or her. I strive to provide an environment where children and families from different cultural backgrounds feel welcomed and accepted. 

As a teacher, I seek to form close relationships with each child under my care, and their families. I make use of our communities' resources and incorporate the child’s community into the program. I see each child as a unique individual with a great capacity to learn and able to make positive contributions to those around him or her. I strive to provide an environment where children and families from different cultural backgrounds feel welcomed and accepted.

Personal Philosophy Template

The Personal Philosophy template enables Educators to write and display their personal philosophy within their centre.  To download:  Personal Philosophy Template

When writing your personal philosophy remember:

• Use present tense, in most cases. Write the paper in first-person (which is the most common and easiest for your audience to read).
• Write in language and concepts that can be broadly appreciated. A general rule is that the statement should be written with the audience in mind. It may help to consider a school administrator (e.g., school principal) as your audience.
• Write a paper that will let your audience know where you stand in regard to important educational theories and practices. By including specific examples of teaching theories and approaches, you are able to let your reader take a mental “peek” of your classroom.
• Make the paper memorable and unique. Think of this teaching philosophy as part of a job application where your readers are seeing many of these statements. What is going to set you apart from others? What about you are they going to remember? Create a vivid portrait of yourself as someone who is intentional about teaching and committed to his/her career.

Once you've finished, make sure your personal philosophy statement is accessible to Educators and families within the service. Explaining the principles that influence your teaching and the overall teachings of service will assist other Educators in ensuring that their own teaching techniques are in keeping with the type of environment you wish to create.

Families will also benefit from hearing about your personal philosophy on early childhood education. During orientation, consider giving them a copy of your statement. This may assist parents in determining whether your approach to education aligns with their own values and whether the service is a good fit for their child.

Creating a personal philosophy should not be intimidating, in fact, it is an excellent opportunity to clarify your teaching philosophies and beliefs and commit them to paper. Reference: Foundations Of Early Childhood Developing A Personal Philosophy Of Teaching Developing A Personal Philosophy Of Early Childhood Education How to Develop a Personal Philosophy of Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education Blog Jones, M., Shelton, M. (2011). Developing Your Portfolio--Enhancing Your Learning and Showing Your Stuff: A Guide for the Early Childhood Student or Professional, Second Edition. Routledge. 

Printed from AussieChildcareNetwork.com.au

• How To Write Your Postgraduate Personal Statement

Choosing a university

• Fairs and open days
• Entry requirements
• What are the differences between an undergraduate and postgraduate personal statement?

What's on this page?

What is a personal statement, preparing to write your personal statement, opening your personal statement, work experience and future plans, ending your personal statement.

Your postgraduate personal statement is your chance to get noticed for your expertise and experience you’ve gathered. It’s an important part of the application process as it allows you to talk about yourself and your passions and prove the value you can bring to your chosen university.

In this article, we’re going to talk you through how to write a postgraduate personal statement that stands out and gives you the best chance of being offered a place on the master’s programme you’re applying for. 

Shona Barrie – Director of Admissions, University of Stirling

You’ll have already written a personal statement for your undergraduate study, so you’ll know the importance of preparation. There are two things to think about when you’re planning:

• The practical and factual information you need to get across.
• Then, the more emotional, human parts of you that make you different to everyone else. 

Before you start writing, take some time to think about the key things you’d want your chosen university to know about you, and get them down on paper.

Questions to focus your mind

• Why have you chosen this master’s programme?
• Why are you passionate about this subject matter? 
• How has your undergraduate study influenced your decision to apply?
• Have you got any work experience that might help you?
• What life experiences have you had that you could talk about?
• What achievements can you talk about to support your application?
• Why do you want to study at this particular university?
• What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Three top tips

Be specific.

Remember that a postgraduate personal statement needs you to talk specifically about the university you’ve chosen.

Demonstrate experience

Universities will be looking for postgraduate students who are able to demonstrate expertise in a particular subject – so include that.

Show what you've learnt

Tell the university about your university life as an undergraduate and include any clubs or societies you were involved in.

Admissions tutors will be reading a lot of personal statements so it’s important to grab their attention right from the start. 

You can find a full guide on How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber but here are the main things for you to think about. 

• Don’t overthink the opening . Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve.
• Avoid cliches . Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. 
• Keep it relevant and simple . You’re limited on how much you can include so avoid long-winded explanations. Why use 50 words when ten can make your point?

Talking about the course

Now you’re ready to start talking about the course and subject you’re applying for.

There are four main areas you’ll need to cover in this section of your personal statement. 

• Why are you applying for this master’s?  Think about your undergraduate study and how this master’s will develop your expertise further. Do you have career aspirations this course will help you achieve?
• Why does the subject interest you? This is your chance to show your passion and really demonstrate who you are. If you have work or volunteering experiences related to the subject, include them here.
• Why do you think you’ll be an asset to the university?  Your personal and practical skills combined together create a unique picture of who you are and why you’ll be a successful postgraduate student, so include both. 
• How does your previous undergraduate study relate to the course? Showcase your enthusiasm for your current study and take the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge now, and how you want to build on that. 

Next, you’ll need to write about your personal skills and achievements.

Universities like to know the abilities you have that’ll help you on the course, or generally with life at university. Don’t forget to include evidence to back up why you’re so passionate about the programme you’ve chosen.

Your personal skills and achievements

Be bold and talk about the achievements you’re proud of., include positions of responsibility you hold, or have held, both in and out of school., what are the things that make you interesting, special, or unique .

Your work experience and future plans are important to include in your personal statement. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course. 

• Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that’ll make you successful on your course.
• If you know what you’d like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience you’ll gain.

It’s always good to connect the beginning of your statement to the end and a great way to reinforce what you said at the start. You want to see the ending as your chance to end in a way that’ll make the university remember you. 

This final part of your personal statement should emphasise the great points you’ve already made and answer the question of why you should be offered a place on the course. 

Read our full guide on How to finish your statement the right way .

Aakriti Labra – MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology, University of Surrey

Now you’ve written your postgraduate personal statement, you’ll need to do a couple of final things before you submit it. 

• Have you proofread your personal statement? Don’t just rely on spellcheckers. We’d recommend reading it out loud as that’s a great way to spot any errors as well as checking it sounds like you. 
• Have you asked for feedback? Ask friends, family or your undergraduate university tutors to have a read through your personal statement and take their feedback on board.
• Check out our personal statement dos and don'ts Have a look at the common pitfalls against your final draft to make sure you haven't made any obvious errors!

Postgraduate

More advice.

Use the UCAS’ personal statement tool alongside this guide to help you structure your ideas.

Do you want to understand the differences between an undergraduate and postgraduate personal statement? Take a look at our guide here.

Why study a postgraduate course? Find out here.  

What funding is there for postgraduate courses?  

Sponsored articles UCAS Media Service

Five reasons to sign up to the ucas newsletter, student finance for postgraduate loans, how to find a job.

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Clearing Guide

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

Postgraduate Personal Statements

International Student Personal Statements

Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

Health and social care personal statement example.

Due to previous experiences of working with a range of people in the care sector I believe that throughout my time on various work placements with people who have disabilities and difficulties in communicating, along with the experiences gained throughout my studies, my wish to pursue a career in the care profession has grown.

To further my interest in working with and around people I completed a course in childcare. Throughout this course I was able to gain valuable experience of working with special needs children. While this was very challenging I also found it an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience.

To further my knowledge and passion for working with people I took a health and social care advanced course and took a weeks experience in a day centre that involves working with people who suffer from difficulties in communicating and having disabilities.

This again helped to broaden my understanding of working with people and also how to deal with children and adults with disabilities. Within my spare time I have researched the job role and requirements for health promotion to find out what is involved.

To build upon these interests further, I am taking up a one week work experience within the health field. I will be spending the first week in a care home focusing on helping elderly people that suffer from dementia and my second week assisting a health promoter to experience a more professional job role in health care. I am looking forward to this valuable experience as it will further consolidate my desire to study health and social care.

I currently work as a sales assistant which has given me a valuable experience of working with people and how to assist their needs in any way possible. During this time I am developing effective communication skills and good working relationships.

In addition to this it is also helping me to show how committed I am to my responsibilities as well as demonstrating good organisation skills. Having to juggle work and school as well as social activities this also shows that I am developing my time keeping skills to make myself more committed and more punctual.

During my first year of sixth form I helped to raise money for the McMillan Cancer trust charity. I also found this very rewarding as I was helping others that were in need, just like during my work placements. I often play sports after sixth form with my friends; this has helped me to develop extra skills in working well in a team.

In addition I have completed voluntary work with a year six class to increase my knowledge of working with young people, another activity that I very much enjoyed and found extremely rewarding. To further my interest in working with people I have recently volunteered to do a level 3 v-volunteering in my spare time, the certificate itself is an accreditation form Newcastle University.

During my spare time I mainly like to dance and sing. I find this is a good way to express myself in addition to help me keep fit. I also attend the gym often to also help keep me fit I also like to attend various different events and take advantage of any activities that I am offered whether it is through school or outside of school.

This helps to increase my confidence and also helps me to meet new people. I feel that university is definitely the right path for me. I am always working extremely hard to achieve the best I can, a feat which I intend to carry on throughout my university years.

I feel I have the necessary skills needed to enjoy university to the full and also be successful in future years. In addition I would also like to go to university to help develop my skills even further so I can gain a good job in the health and social care sector which is always my main interest.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by fayej44 for application in 2011.

fayej44's university choices Newcastle College University of Sunderland

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

fayej44's Comments

This is what i have sent to the universities i am applying to. could people please give me feedback on what you think of how my personal statement sounds please. one of the universities i have apllied for has already recived it and i'm hoping that with this p.s it is good enough.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Its very good but you should.

Sun, 01/09/2013 - 19:34

Its very good but you should write what universities you had applied for just for the help of other people.

You have written in such simple writing that makes it even more incredible. Well Done. :)

Add new comment