GEMS
Head of EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage)
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
Job expiry date: 01/04/2026
Job overview
Date posted
15/02/2026
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
5 - 10 yrs
Seniority
Senior & Lead
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
01/04/2026
Job description
The Head of EYFS at GEMS Founders School â Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the Early Years Foundation Stage within the Primary school. Reporting to the Principal and Head of Primary, the post holder ensures the delivery of outstanding early years education aligned with the schoolâs vision, mission, GEMS Core Values, and UAE National Agenda targets. The role involves overseeing curriculum design, teaching quality, assessment systems, behaviour management, safeguarding, staff performance, and parental engagement. The Head of EYFS plays a pivotal role in driving school improvement, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, and ensuring that every child achieves their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.
Required skills
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) leadership
Primary school management
Curriculum design and implementation
School improvement planning
Staff performance management
Teaching and learning quality assurance
Student progress tracking and data analysis
Behaviour for Learning strategies
Safeguarding and child protection
Special Educational Needs (SEN) inclusion
Parent engagement and communication
Educational policy development
Budget and resource management
Strategic planning
Regulatory compliance (UAE education frameworks)
Professional development leadership
School culture development
Risk management and governance
Key responsibilities
- Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership of the EYFS phase, ensuring alignment with the schoolâs vision, mission, and GEMS Core Values.
- Lead curriculum planning and development to ensure a broad, structured, coherent, and developmentally appropriate Early Years curriculum.
- Establish and sustain high-quality teaching and learning practices across EYFS, underpinned by strong subject knowledge and evidence-based methodologies.
- Develop, implement, and monitor systems for tracking student progress and attainment, ensuring timely interventions where needed.
- Drive continuous school improvement initiatives within EYFS, identifying barriers to success and implementing realistic, measurable strategies.
- Promote high academic standards while supporting studentsâ social, emotional, and behavioural development.
- Implement and oversee Behaviour for Learning strategies, ensuring consistent and fair application of the schoolâs behaviour policy.
- Ensure inclusive practices that enable all students, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities, to access the curriculum effectively.
- Work collaboratively with parents to identify additional needs and provide appropriate support and adaptations.
- Lead, mentor, and performance-manage EYFS staff, conducting appraisals and holding team members accountable for student outcomes and professional standards.
- Promote staff professionalism and ensure access to high-quality professional development opportunities.
- Manage allocated budgets and resources effectively to support teaching and learning priorities.
- Ensure safeguarding, student welfare, and risk management processes are rigorously implemented in line with regulatory requirements.
- Foster a positive school culture built on mutual respect, high expectations, and strong relationships within the school community.
- Communicate effectively with parents, staff, and external stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and promote transparency.
- Support governance processes and ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory frameworks.
- Contribute to shaping and implementing the schoolâs broader educational strategy in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team.
Experience & skills
- Bachelorâs degree in Education or a related field (Masterâs degree in Education or Educational Leadership preferred).
- Extensive experience in Early Years education, with proven leadership experience in an EYFS or Primary leadership role.
- Strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and best practices in early childhood education.
- Demonstrated ability to raise academic standards and improve teaching quality through effective monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Experience in curriculum design, assessment development, and data-driven school improvement planning.
- Proven track record in staff leadership, performance management, and professional development coaching.
- Deep understanding of inclusive education practices, including supporting students with SEN and disabilities.
- Comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, and duty of care responsibilities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and external partners.
- Experience in managing budgets, resources, and operational processes within a school setting.
- Ability to lead within regulatory frameworks and meet statutory obligations applicable in the UAE education sector.
- High ethical standards, integrity, and commitment to maintaining public trust in school leadership.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a senior leadership team while independently managing priorities and responsibilities.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and staying current with developments in education.
- Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to lead effectively in a dynamic, diverse, and high-expectation school environment.