Specialism overview
Early Years teams often work across nursery and reception with a high adult-to-child ratio, and continuous provision is central to the way the day is structured.
Because many children arrive with limited English, language development and communication run through everything, alongside the usual focus on personal, social and emotional development.
Typical international-school context
Parent engagement tends to be intensive at this stage, with regular communication, workshops and open sessions. Schools value practitioners who can explain play-based learning clearly to families who may expect a more formal approach.
Relevant qualifications
- PGCE or equivalent with an Early Years or primary specialism
- Qualified Teacher Status where required
- Experience delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage framework
- Safeguarding and paediatric first aid training where relevant
Experience schools may value
- Leading continuous provision and enabling environments
- Observation, assessment and learning journal practice
- Working alongside teaching assistants and bilingual support staff
- Transition planning into Key Stage 1
Preparing your CV
International schools read a lot of CVs, so make the Early Years detail easy to find. Lead with your current role, then set out the curriculum, year groups and qualifications you have taught, and keep the formatting plain so it survives being forwarded as a PDF.
- Name the curriculum and examination boards you have worked with
- Give year groups or key stages rather than vague phase descriptions
- Include leadership, mentoring or coordination responsibilities
- Mention relevant professional development and accreditation
- Keep it to two pages and avoid photographs or personal identifiers you do not need to share
Interview preparation
Most international recruitment starts with an online interview, often followed by a task, a recorded lesson or a live teaching activity. Schools want to see how you think about learning, not a rehearsed script.
Prepare examples that show impact over time: a group you moved forward, a scheme of work you rebuilt, a pastoral situation you handled well. Have questions ready about curriculum, timetable, support staffing and induction, because thoughtful questions read as professionalism.