Early Years Adviser - ESF Centre

The Adviser – Early Years Education is essential in advancing ESF’s Vision 2030 by nurturing Belonging, Engagement, and Personalisation in all ESF kindergartens and early years settings within Primary Schools.

As part of the Education team, the Adviser provides strategic leadership and pedagogical guidance to ensure outstanding early years education that is centered on play-based learning, inclusive practices, and developmentally appropriate environments.

This role strengthens pedagogical consistency across ESF kindergartens and primary schools, ensuring alignment in early years teaching methodologies, inclusive educational principles, and smooth transition pathways into primary education, with a focus on curriculum, learning, and instruction.

The Adviser works intimately with school leaders, early years teams, and ESFC colleagues to enhance capacity and uphold excellence in early childhood education throughout the Foundation.

Key Responsibilities

System Leadership and Strategy:

- Play a key role in the strategic development, execution, and assessment of ESF early years curriculum frameworks, policies, and guidelines.

- Ensure alignment between early years pedagogy, Vision 2030 goals, and ESF inclusion principles.

- Support the integration of early years education, assessment strategies, and transition expectations for Year 1.

- Prepare necessary reports, briefings, and strategic communications for senior leadership.

Pedagogy, Play, Inclusion, and Learning Environments:

- Provide expert advice on play-based learning, inquiry-driven pedagogy, and developmentally suitable practices that engage all children and promote their participation and success.

- Assist schools in designing high-quality early years environments that encourage agency, curiosity, well-being, belonging, and engagement for diverse learners.

- Offer guidance on curriculum development, documentation of learning experiences, and assessment methods that align with best practices in early childhood education and cater to individual developmental needs.

- Promote inclusive, neuro-affirming practices within play-based settings, ensuring that diverse developmental, communication, and learning profiles are recognized and supported in universal classroom environments.

- Help schools implement tiered support strategies within everyday teaching and learning.

- Collaborate with Student Support Services colleagues to contribute to guidelines regarding early identification, responsive planning, and personalized pathways when necessary.

- Foster reflective practice and professional dialogue within and among early years teams to improve coherence, inclusion, and quality.

Transition and Continuity of Learning:

- Enhance holistic transition processes from K2 to Year 1 to ensure continuity in curriculum, learning, and teaching, leveraging strengths from both phases.

- Cultivate a shared understanding between kindergarten and primary leaders regarding curriculum expectations and inclusive practices.

- Assist in the development of Enhanced Transition guidance as required.

Professional Learning and Network Leadership:

- Lead and facilitate professional learning initiatives across the system in early years pedagogy and practices.

- Build and sustain professional networks for early years leaders and educators.

- Lead or participate in cross-foundation initiatives related to early childhood education.

Collaboration and Communication:

- Establish strong partnerships with kindergarten leadership teams, early years leaders, and teaching staff.

- Work collaboratively with other phase advisors, Student Support Services, and central teams to ensure aligned and coherent support for schools.

- Communicate pedagogical advancements and strategic priorities clearly and effectively.

Requirements:

- A recognized teaching qualification with substantial experience in early childhood education.

- A postgraduate qualification in early childhood education or related fields is highly preferred.

- Significant leadership experience in early years education within an international or similar context.

- Proven knowledge in play-based pedagogy, curriculum design, and early childhood environments.

- Experience in leading professional learning and system-wide initiatives is advantageous.

Knowledge:

- Current research and practices in early childhood education.

- Play-based and inquiry-led pedagogy.

- Developmentally suitable assessment and documentation methods.

- Inclusive early years practices and tiered support strategies.

- Transition and continuity frameworks.

Abilities:

- Strategic thinking and curriculum development.

- Facilitation of professional learning.

- Designing and evaluating learning environments.

- Building systemic coherence across multiple schools and educational phases.

- Leading change in complex educational settings.

Demonstrates the ability to:

- Promote high-quality early childhood education with clarity and ethical purpose.

- Foster collaborative, trust-based relationships across schools.

- Listen, influence, and encourage reflective professional dialogue.

- Balance pedagogical expertise with partnership and humility.

- Navigate complexity with sensitivity and confidence.

Closing Date: 12 Apr 2026

For inquiries, please contact Karen Ng at karen.ng@esfcentre.edu.hk.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and offers may be extended prior to the closing date.

By applying for this role, your application may also be considered for other positions (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and will not discriminate based on age, race, color, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship, or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.

Personal data submitted by job applicants will be utilized strictly in accordance with ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which can be provided upon request.

ESF is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and expects all applicants to uphold this commitment. We adhere to rigorous recruitment practices, with all appointments contingent upon an interview, identity verification, criminal background checks (including ICPC, SCRC, and other relevant international background checks), assessment of social media presence, and positive references.

In accordance with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidelines, ESF may conduct online checks for all shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.

About Us:

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest organization providing English-medium international education in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools, alongside a broad range of extracurricular activities, aim to bring out the best in every student through a personalized learning approach that inspires curiosity.

With over 18,000 students representing 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary, and all-through schools, we celebrate the diversity within our community.

About the Team:

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is an innovative, well-organized educational entity dedicated to delivering international education to students from over 70 countries. We take pride in being at the forefront of Hong Kong's educational landscape, actively leveraging the unique opportunities this vibrant city offers as Asia’s world city and a primary gateway to China.

Our curriculum, leading to the International Baccalaureate, is specifically tailored for Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region. The 1,100 teachers at ESF are highly qualified, bringing experience from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the UK, and various other international education systems. All schools offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities both locally and internationally.

With more than 18,000 students, our culture emphasizes a love for learning and pride in achievements. Most of our students pursue the IB Diploma and gain admission to universities worldwide. ESF has a long-standing commitment to supporting children with individual needs and is the leading provider for English-speaking children with special educational needs in Hong Kong. For more details about ESF, please visit our website.