Finnway International School Phuket is committed to fostering a dynamic and collaborative school culture, prioritizing creativity, skill development, global citizenship, and the well-being of both staff and students.  We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head of Kindergarten to join our team and lead our Kindergarten program.  This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the educational experience of our youngest learners, ensuring it reflects the unique strengths of the Finnish approach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads, mentors, and coaches the Kindergarten (KG) team, including teachers, assistants, and classroom staff.
• Develops and implements the Kindergarten Curriculum, aligning it with Finnish early childhood education principles and local needs.
• Strengthen the Finnway identity and the FISP four pillars
• Continue implementing FGES literacy and numeracy guidelines in K2 and K3.
• Plan lessons and activities according to the new timetable structure
• Conducts workshops and observations with KG teachers to ensure Finnish ECEC quality.
• Collaborates with Head of Primary, on teacher performance reviews for KG staff.
• Manages the yearly KG budget (excluding salaries).

Professional Development:

• Focuses on social and emotional learning in kindergarten (2024).
• Addresses violent/disruptive behavior through promoting positive pedagogy and a strengths-based approach.
• Ensures Finnish ECEC cornerstones are integrated into daily KG activities (play-based learning).

Communication:

• Prepares termly welcome and farewell messages for the Kindergarten parents.
• Provides weekly KG to the executive assistant for the newsletter.
• Conducts termly Learning Cafes for parents.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with partners, staff, students, and the wider community.
• Manages transparent and effective communication with KG parents.

Assembly and Staff Meetings:

• Leads kindergarten assemblies every week.
• Leads staff morning briefings with Head of Primary, (fortnightly or as needed).

Student Welfare:

• Collaborates with the safeguarding representative, nurse, and learning support team (starting term 2).

Kindergarten Admissions:

• Interviews all families applying to Kindergarten.
• Conducts welcoming meetings with families whose children are accepted into Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Education:

• Continuously evaluates and improves the KG educational programs.
• Leads weekly KG staff meetings.
• Updates report templates (Terms 1 & 2).
• Arranges teacher-parent meetings for KG students with learning concerns (based on data).
• Works with the Leadership Team on school accreditation and educational standards compliance.
• Plans and implements teacher duty rosters, (pick-up/drop-off).
• Together with the teachers assess the need to rearrange groups for the next academic year
• Arrange individual meetings with KG staff based on data notifications
• Ensure consistency between KG classrooms
• Work closely with the president of PTA

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with a demonstrated understanding of the Finnish education system.
• Minimum 3 years of experience teaching in a Kindergarten setting, preferably in a school that incorporates Finnish educational principles.
• Proven experience leading and managing a Kindergarten program.
• Strong understanding of child development theory and best practices, particularly those aligned with the Finnish approach.
• Experience implementing a play-based and inquiry-based learning approach, which is a hallmark of the Finnish system.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for education and a commitment to fostering a love of learning in young children, utilizing the strengths of the Finnish education system.

The school offers a competitive international salary and benefits package, comparable to similar international schools in the region.

 Applications

To apply please submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae (with a minimum of three referees, one of which must be your current Head of School/Management or Senior Leadership Team, a one-page Philosophy of Education statement, and a recent passport photograph to [email protected]