Preschool Principal

Valo Sdn Bhd; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Valo School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is seeking a hands-on Principal to lead the kindergarten's academic and daily operations in a fast-moving start-up environment.

You will guide Lead Teachers and teams, ensure high teaching standards, oversee curriculum alignment with Valo's play-based learning philosophy, and build strong systems, culture and parent communication.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of preschool or kindergarten experience preferred.
• Minimum 2 years in a Principal, Centre Manager, Senior Teacher or leadership role preferred.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development and play-based learning.
• Strong leadership, classroom management and people-management skills.
• Experience supervising, coaching and developing teachers.
• Good spoken and written English.
• Strong parent communication and conflict-resolution skills.
• Organised, responsible and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Proactive, resourceful and solution-oriented.
• Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership.
• Hands-on and willing to step in where needed.
• Able to work effectively in a fast-moving, evolving start-up environment.
• Comfortable with changing priorities, developing systems and responsibilities that may evolve as the school grows.
• Open to feedback, training and continuous professional development.
• We are looking for a Principal who does more than manage daily operations — someone who can lead from the front, develop the teaching team, solve problems proactively and help build Valo's standards, systems and culture from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall academic and day-to-day operations of the kindergarten.
• Maintain high standards of teaching, learning, child development and classroom quality.
• Guide, supervise and support Lead Teachers, Teachers and Assistant Teachers.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide constructive feedback, coaching and mentoring.
• Ensure curriculum planning and classroom practices are aligned with Valo's philosophy and learning approach.
• Promote and strengthen Valo's co-teaching culture across classrooms.
• Monitor children's progress, wellbeing and developmental needs.
• Support teachers in managing behavioural, developmental and learning concerns appropriately.
• Maintain professional and positive communication with parents.
• Manage parent feedback, concerns and sensitive matters professionally.
• Support parent tours, trial classes, enrolment activities and school events when required.
• Ensure lesson planning, assessments, learning documentation and parent updates are completed consistently.
• Oversee staff scheduling, classroom coverage and daily manpower requirements.
• Ensure compliance with school SOPs, safeguarding, hygiene, safety and operational standards.
• Work closely with management on recruitment, onboarding, staff performance and training.
• Identify operational or academic issues and implement practical solutions.
• Help develop and improve school systems, procedures, policies and workflows.
• Maintain a positive, accountable and collaborative working culture.
• Support reasonable responsibilities beyond a fixed job scope when required as part of a growing start-up school.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Coaching

Teacher supervision

English proficiency

Communication with parents

Organisational skills

Decision making

Proactive problem solving

Education

Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education

Education or Child Development related field

Job description

Valo School is a Finnish-inspired early childhood education centre focused on play-based learning, emotional wellbeing, independence, exploration and meaningful relationships.

We practise a co-teaching approach, where educators work collaboratively and share responsibility for children's learning and development.

As a young and growing school, Valo is looking for a Principal who is confident working in a start-up environment — someone who is hands-on, proactive, adaptable, solution-oriented and willing to help build strong systems, standards and culture as the school grows.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the overall academic and day-to-day operations of the kindergarten.

Maintain high standards of teaching, learning, child development and classroom quality.

Guide, supervise and support Lead Teachers, Teachers and Assistant Teachers.

Conduct classroom observations and provide constructive feedback, coaching and mentoring.

Ensure curriculum planning and classroom practices are aligned with Valo's philosophy and learning approach.

Promote and strengthen Valo's co-teaching culture across classrooms.

Monitor children's progress, wellbeing and developmental needs.

Support teachers in managing behavioural, developmental and learning concerns appropriately.

Maintain professional and positive communication with parents.

Manage parent feedback, concerns and sensitive matters professionally.

Support parent tours, trial classes, enrolment activities and school events when required.

Ensure lesson planning, assessments, learning documentation and parent updates are completed consistently.

Oversee staff scheduling, classroom coverage and daily manpower requirements.

Ensure compliance with school SOPs, safeguarding, hygiene, safety and operational standards.

Work closely with management on recruitment, onboarding, staff performance and training.

Identify operational or academic issues and implement practical solutions.

Help develop and improve school systems, procedures, policies and workflows.

Maintain a positive, accountable and collaborative working culture.

Support reasonable responsibilities beyond a fixed job scope when required as part of a growing start-up school.

Requirements

Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development or related field.

Minimum 5 years of preschool or kindergarten experience preferred.

Minimum 2 years in a Principal, Centre Manager, Senior Teacher or leadership role preferred.

Strong knowledge of early childhood development and play-based learning.

Strong leadership, classroom management and people-management skills.

Experience supervising, coaching and developing teachers.

Good spoken and written English.

Strong parent communication and conflict-resolution skills.

Organised, responsible and able to manage multiple priorities.

Proactive, resourceful and solution-oriented.

Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership.

Hands-on and willing to step in where needed.

Able to work effectively in a fast-moving, evolving start-up environment.

Comfortable with changing priorities, developing systems and responsibilities that may evolve as the school grows.

Open to feedback, training and continuous professional development.

We are looking for a Principal who does more than manage daily operations — someone who can lead from the front, develop the teaching team, solve problems proactively and help build Valo's standards, systems and culture from the ground up.