Type and print a portfolio professional resume, statement of philosophy and reference page on a computer. The resume should include your academic background and achievements (e.g., honor role or dean's list), relevant employment experience and local or national group memberships (e.g., NAECY membership), relevant volunteer or community service experience and additional skills, such as computer proficiency. The statement of philosophy should tell a prospective employer about your views on education. This may include what specific developmental theories you ascribe to, beliefs on raising and educating children or any other personal view of early childhood care/education.
Gather supporting documents. These may include a copy of your high school and post-secondary diplomas, first aid or CPR certification cards, certificates of achievement or professional development/training certificates.
Print a copy of a lesson plan that you have created. Choose a plan that demonstrates your competency to effectively create developmentally appropriate activities (e.g., math, science, art, pre-literacy). Omit any names of children or other staff members. Print the lesson plan and any supporting photos. For example, if your plan outlines an art and math lesson in which the children made a shape collage, add in photos of the child made art work.
Place all portfolio documents into three ring clear plastic sleeves. Insert the sleeves into the three-ring binder.
Type and print a table of contents that reflects the order of your portfolio. Place the table of contents into a plastic sleeve, and insert at the front of the binder.