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Early years educator: CV and cover letter examples

2 fully written cover letters, a ready CV with a placeholder portrait and practical tips – open the example and replace the details with yours.

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Cover letter examples

Each example is written for a different starting point. Borrow the structure, not the sentences – your own examples and numbers are what make a letter work.

1Newly qualified practitionerEntry level

Amara Okoye
24 Walcot Street
Bath BA1 5BG
040 66969 436 · amara.okoye@example.com

Little Acorns Nursery
Schreiner
70 Orchard Lane
Bath BA1 1AA

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Nursery practitioner – toddler room

Dear Ms Schreiner,

During my final placement I worked in a room of twelve children aged one to three, and the settling-in period fascinated me most: how differently children and parents experience those first weeks.

I led three settling-in periods myself, with a first meeting, daily updates for parents and a review at the end. One little boy cried every time his mum left; we shortened the separations and made his cuddly toy part of the routine, and after four weeks he ran to me in the morning.

I hold a current paediatric first aid certificate and my background check is complete. I can start in August.

Yours sincerely,

Amara Okoye

Enclosures
CV
Qualification certificate
Placement report

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2Experienced after-school leadExperienced

Daniel Fox
55 Wells Road
Bath BA2 3AP
089 99998 148 · daniel.fox@example.com

Riverside Children’s Centre
Fox
2 Church Street
Bath BA1 1NL

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of After-school club lead

Dear Mr Fox,

For seven years I have worked with school-age children in an after-school club, and I know all fifty of them by name – and by their favourite excuses at homework time. I am moving and looking for a new role with school-age children.

I introduced a children’s council that decides on outings, rules and how we use our rooms. Arguments over football dropped noticeably once the children had made the rules themselves. I have also completed advanced safeguarding training.

My notice period is six weeks. I would welcome the chance to visit.

Yours sincerely,

Daniel Fox

Enclosures
CV
Certificates
Reference

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All people, companies and contact details in the examples are fictional.

CV example

A complete CV for the role – with an illustrated placeholder instead of a photo.

Preview of the CV of Amara Okoye in the Modern design
Read the CV as text

Amara Okoye

Early years practitioner

24 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BG · 040 66969 436 · amara.okoye@example.com

Placeholder portrait: replace it with your photo in the editor, or remove it.

Work experience

  • 08/2025 – 07/2026
    Practitioner (final placement)
    Sunflower Nursery, Bath
    • Toddler room, 12 children aged 1–3
    • Settling-in and parent updates
    • Observations and learning journals
  • 2023 – 2025
    Holiday club assistant
    Bath Leisure Services, Bath

Education

  • 2023 – 2026
    Early years educator qualification (level 3)
    Bath College, Bath

Training

  • 2026
    Paediatric first aid
  • 2025
    Safeguarding children

Skills

Settling-in, Observation and planning, Parent communication, Music and movement

Languages

English (Native), Igbo (B1 – intermediate)

Interests

Drumming, children’s choir

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Good to know

Your application in three steps

  1. Add your own photo – or none

    The example uses an illustrated placeholder. Replace it under “Choose photo” in the editor, or remove it: in the UK, US and many other countries a CV photo is not expected.

  2. Replace the details

    Name, contact, jobs, skills: everything is filled in and can be overwritten field by field.

  3. Save as PDF

    The PDF is created in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, no account needed.

What employers look for

Nurseries want practitioners who observe and support children, work closely with parents and understand the setting’s approach. A short, anonymous example from your practice says more than buzzwords.

  • A recognised childcare qualification for your country

  • Experience with the age group: babies, toddlers, preschool

  • Observation, planning and record keeping

  • Confident, kind communication with parents

  • Safeguarding awareness and background checks

Tips for your application

Do

  • Refer to the setting’s approach.
  • Give a short, anonymous example.
  • Mention first aid and safeguarding.

Don’t

  • Say “I love children” as your main reason.
  • Make children or parents identifiable.
  • Rely on jargon.
Typical interview questions

Prepare a short, honest example from your own work for each one.

  1. How do you support a child during settling-in?
  2. A parent complains about a conflict between two children. What do you do?
  3. How do you plan around children’s interests?
  4. How do you record development?

Salary expectations

If the advert asks for your salary expectations, give an annual gross figure or a range you have researched – through pay scales, salary surveys from public sources or people who do the job. If it does not ask, leave pay out of the letter; it will come up in the interview.

Frequently asked questions
Will the nursery ask me to visit?

Often yes – a short visit or working session lets you meet the team and lets them see how you interact with children.

Should I put a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UK, Ireland and the US a photo is usually left out to avoid bias, and many employers prefer CVs without one. In Germany and some other countries it is common but optional. If you use one: recent, friendly, plain background, dressed as you would be on a good day at work.

Can I copy the example letters?

Yes, they are free to use. But recruiters read a lot of letters – one with your own examples, numbers and a real reason for choosing this employer will always do better. Use the examples as scaffolding and write the sentences yourself.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. The CV and the letter are created in your browser. Nothing is stored unless you switch on “Save the draft” in the editor – and then only on your device.

Related jobs

Finish your application

Cover letter and CV as PDF, certificates added, all in one file – small enough for any job portal.