About this role
Scope: Early Years (EC1-KG) Reporting to: Head of Early Years & Primary
Position Overview
The Early Years PYP Teacher will be an inspirational, passionate, caring and adaptable educator with a strong understanding of early childhood development, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Reggio-inspired practice.
The successful candidate will deliver a high-quality, inquiry-based, play-based and transdisciplinary programme that supports children’s holistic development in a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment. They will create meaningful opportunities for children to explore, question, express their ideas and make connections, valuing children as capable learners and the learning environment as an important part of the educational experience.
The teacher will nurture children’s natural curiosity, creativity, independence and confidence while promoting student agency and a lifelong love of learning. They will demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, collaborate effectively with colleagues and families, and respond thoughtfully to the diverse developmental, cultural and learning needs of young children.
The successful candidate will actively promote ISL Qatar’s values of Belonging, Integrity, Grit and Kindness and contribute to the school’s commitment to Engagement for All.
Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Recognised teaching qualification or qualified teacher status appropriate to Early Years education.
• Relevant teaching experience in an Early Years or early childhood educational setting.
• Experience with the IB Primary Years Programme or a similar inquiry-based curriculum is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of early childhood development, play-based learning and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
• Experience working with children from diverse cultural, linguistic and learning backgrounds.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
Knowledge and Skills
• Demonstrate alignment with ISL Qatar's values of Belonging, Integrity, Grit and Kindness.
• Possess a sound understanding of the IB PYP philosophy, learner profile, approaches to learning and student agency.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how young children learn through play, inquiry, exploration and meaningful interactions.
• Understand early literacy, numeracy, language acquisition, physical development and social-emotional learning.
• Be able to plan and deliver differentiated, engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Create stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments that encourage creativity, independence, collaboration and problem-solving.
• Understand observation-based assessment, Assessment for Learning (AfL) and the documentation of children's learning.
• Demonstrate the ability to support multilingual learners and children with diverse developmental and learning needs.
• Possess excellent classroom management, communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Build positive and respectful relationships with children, parents, colleagues and the wider school community.
• Demonstrate flexibility, patience, empathy and a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Be able to manage a diverse workload and contribute positively to a collaborative Early Years team.
Responsibilities
Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
• Plan, implement and evaluate high-quality Early Years learning experiences aligned with the IB PYP framework and school curriculum expectations.
• Deliver an inquiry-based, play-based and transdisciplinary programme that promotes children's cognitive, social, emotional, physical and language development.
• Encourage curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, independence and student agency through purposeful play and exploration.
• Differentiate learning experiences to meet children's individual developmental stages, abilities, interests and learning needs.
• Integrate early literacy, numeracy, communication and social-emotional learning into meaningful classroom experiences.
• Collaborate with the Head of Primary, PYP Coordinator and EC–KG Coordinator in curriculum planning, development, implementation and review.
Learning Environment and Assessment
• Establish a safe, inclusive, welcoming and stimulating classroom environment that promotes children's wellbeing and sense of belonging.
• Design and maintain purposeful indoor and outdoor learning spaces that encourage inquiry, exploration, creativity and collaboration.
• Establish positive routines, age-appropriate expectations and effective approaches to behaviour guidance.
• Observe, assess and document children's learning and developmental progress through authentic and age-appropriate assessment practices.
• Use observations, portfolios and other assessment evidence to inform planning, differentiation and next steps in learning.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress and communicate learning achievements effectively to parents and caregivers.
• Participate in the ongoing development and review of Early Years assessment and reporting practices.
Student Wellbeing, Inclusion and Pastoral Care
• Promote the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of every child, ensuring they feel safe, respected, included and valued.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to individual learning, developmental and pastoral needs.
• Collaborate with Learning Assistants, Inclusion and Wellbeing Teams to provide appropriate support for children.
• Support multilingual learners through inclusive and language-rich learning experiences.
• Foster positive relationships, empathy, kindness, resilience, independence and self-regulation.
• Support children's successful transitions into, within and beyond the Early Years programme.
• Maintain appropriate supervision and ensure the health, safety and welfare of children throughout the school day.
Professional Collaboration and School Development
• Establish positive partnerships with parents and caregivers through regular and constructive communication.
• Work collaboratively with Learning Assistants, providing appropriate guidance and promoting effective classroom teamwork.
• Participate actively in collaborative planning, professional learning, staff meetings and school improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of a positive team culture within the Early Years and wider Primary School.
• Participate in curriculum review, school events, extracurricular activities and community engagement initiatives.
• Support the school's IB PYP and NEASC accreditation requirements and relevant programme standards.
• Use appropriate educational technology, including Toddle and Microsoft Teams, to support learning documentation and communication.
• Demonstrate professionalism, confidentiality, ethical conduct and commitment to the school's policies and procedures.
Specific Priorities
The successful candidate will contribute to the continued development of the Early Years programme at ISL Qatar, with particular focus on:
• IB PYP Development: Participate in the ongoing development, implementation and review of the Early Years PYP curriculum, ensuring alignment with IB philosophy, programme standards and practices.
• Reggio Emilia Approach: Integrate principles of the Reggio Emilia approach into the programme by valuing children as capable, curious learners; encouraging exploration and expression through multiple forms; and using observation, documentation and reflection to make learning visible and inform next steps.
• Play-Based Inquiry: Strengthen purposeful play, inquiry-based learning and student agency through developmentally appropriate teaching approaches.
• Learning Environments: Develop engaging indoor and outdoor learning spaces that encourage exploration, independence, creativity and collaboration, recognising the environment as an important part of children’s learning.
• Assessment for Learning: Enhance observation-based assessment, learning documentation and the effective use of assessment evidence to support children’s progress.
• Inclusion and Wellbeing: Promote positive relationships, social-emotional development, inclusion and meaningful engagement for all children.
• Technology Integration: Use appropriate digital platforms, including Toddle and Microsoft Teams, to support learning documentation, parent communication and professional collaboration.
• School Improvement: Contribute to the school’s IB and NEASC programme obligations, professional learning initiatives and wider school development priorities.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
ISL Qatar is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All employees are expected to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
The successful candidate must:
• Comply with the school's safeguarding and child protection policies, procedures and reporting requirements.
• Maintain a safe, secure and appropriately supervised learning environment.
• Recognise and promptly report any safeguarding or child protection concerns through established school procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality and ethical conduct.
• Participate in mandatory safeguarding training and comply with relevant pre-employment screening and background checks.
• Promote a culture in which every child feels safe, respected, heard and supported.