Head of Early Years

Client of Teach East; Dubai; On-site; AED 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of Teach East in Dubai seeks a proactive Head of Early Years to lead the EY department, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning across the phase. You will oversee curriculum planning, assessment, and safeguarding in alignment with UAE requirements, while mentoring staff and driving school improvement.

The role requires leadership experience in Early Years, familiarity with international curricula, and strong collaboration with parents and external providers.

Qualifications

• Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Recognised teaching qualification (QTS or equivalent) and relevant leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years Early Years teaching experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Strong working knowledge of international early years curricula and current pedagogy.
• Clear understanding of UAE safeguarding and statutory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, analyse data and drive school improvement.
• Bilingual fluency in Arabic and English strongly preferred.
• Proficient in standard IT systems for reporting and communication.
• Applicants should demonstrate a track record of raising standards, leading teams effectively and delivering strong outcomes for children in an international or UAE context.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Early Years department to ensure consistently high-quality teaching and learning.
• Oversee curriculum planning, implementation and review to align with recognised frameworks.
• Lead inclusion across the phase and coordinate provision for pupils with additional needs in collaboration with specialists and families.
• Line manage, mentor and appraise Early Years staff with targeted CPD and coaching.
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and UAE regulatory requirements.
• Monitor assessment and progress data, using analysis to inform planning, intervention and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with parents to ensure clear communication and engagement in children’s learning.
• Oversee transition into Reception and liaise with external providers; liaise with inspectors and senior leadership for reporting.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Early Years department
• ensuring consistently high-quality teaching
• learning and care
• Oversee curriculum planning
• implementation and review
• ensuring alignment with recognised frameworks
• e g
• Californian Common Core or equivalent
• and best practice in early childhood development
• Line manage
• mentor and appraise Early Years staff
• implement targeted CPD and coaching to sustain strong classroom practice
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding
• health and safety
• and UAE regulatory requirements
• Monitor assessment and progress data
• use analysis to inform planning
• intervention and continuous improvement
• Manage departmental budgets
• staffing and resources efficiently
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with parents
• ensuring clear communication and engagement in children s learning
• Oversee transition into Reception and liaise with external providers where required
• Lead inclusion across the phase
• coordinating provision for pupils with additional needs in collaboration with specialists and families
• Maintain accurate documentation and prepare reports for senior leadership and inspection bodies

Qualifications

• Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Recognised teaching qualification (QTS or equivalent) and relevant leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years Early Years teaching experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Strong working knowledge of international early years curricula and current pedagogy.
• Clear understanding of UAE safeguarding and statutory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, analyse data and drive school improvement.
• Bilingual fluency in Arabic and English strongly preferred.
• Proficient in standard IT systems for reporting and communication.
• Applicants should demonstrate a track record of raising standards, leading teams effectively and delivering strong outcomes for children in an international or UAE context.