Early Years (Preschool) Teacher
Hypha International SchoolTeaching
Status
Actively Hiring
Date Listed22 January 2026
ContractPermanent
PlatformW5_SYNC
About This Role
ABOUT HYPHA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Hypha International School is situated in the beautiful Sintra Natural Park, offering a unique international education that emphasizes nature, project-based learning, and a focus on wellbeing, curiosity, and academic excellence. Our goal is to cultivate thoughtful and capable young individuals who possess a strong sense of agency and responsibility.
In our Pre-Primary program (ages 3–4), we provide a rich early years experience that integrates the best practices from Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and outdoor learning, all while adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We believe that young children thrive through meaningful relationships, hands-on exploration, and engaging experiences, with nature serving as an essential teacher rather than just a backdrop.
Influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we view children as capable, inquisitive, and full of potential. We foster an environment where their questions, theories, and interests are valued, and where learning is visible through careful observation and documentation. Our classrooms and outdoor areas are thoughtfully designed to act as a third teacher, offering diverse materials, stimulating provocations, and open-ended experiences that promote creativity, communication, and critical thinking.
With the stunning Sintra landscape surrounding us, children engage extensively in outdoor activities, enhancing their confidence, resilience, and sense of wonder through intentional play, exploration, and connection to the environment. Our approach lays the groundwork for early language, literacy (including phonics), numeracy, and social-emotional development while prioritizing the essentials of early childhood: belonging, movement, and imagination.
As we grow, we are looking for an outstanding Pre-Primary teacher who is eager to contribute to the development of a high-quality early years program within our ambitious and value-driven school community.
THE ROLE
We seek a nurturing, reflective, and exceptionally skilled Pre-Primary teacher who:
• Is passionate about providing high-quality early childhood education
• Recognizes the significance of structure, consistency, and emotional safety
• Is enthusiastic about a blended approach that includes Reggio, Montessori, and outdoor learning, grounded in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Advocates for child-centered learning alongside purposeful adult involvement
• Envisions themselves as a contributor to a developing school, extending beyond their own classroom
You will be responsible for a Pre-Primary class, creating responsive learning environments and experiences that foster children's curiosity and independence while establishing strong foundational learning.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
• Establish a calm, inviting, and organized learning atmosphere aligned with EYFS principles
• Utilize observation and documentation (inspired by Reggio) to plan learning that aligns with children's interests and supports their growth
• Integrate Montessori-style materials and routines to encourage independence, coordination, and focus
• Provide developmentally appropriate early literacy experiences, including engaging and systematic phonics instruction
• Foster early numeracy through hands-on activities, pattern recognition, counting, and real-world problem-solving
• Incorporate outdoor learning as a vital component of the curriculum, promoting wellbeing, resilience, curiosity, and appreciation for the environment
• Support social-emotional development through warm, consistent guidance and Positive Discipline techniques
• Communicate thoughtfully with families to build a strong home–school connection
• Collaborate with colleagues to enhance the transition from Pre-Primary to Primary as Hypha continues to expand
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
You would be a great fit for this role if you:
• Hold a recognized Early Years teaching qualification (QTS, PGCE, EYFS/ECE equivalent, or similar)
• Have experience teaching children aged 3–5, with international experience being a bonus
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of the EYFS and how to implement it into meaningful, developmentally suitable practices
• Are confident in teaching early literacy foundations, including phonological awareness and early phonics, in an age-appropriate manner
• Know how to balance child-led learning with established routines, boundaries, and purposeful adult guidance
• Value professionalism, thorough preparation, and deep pedagogical understanding
• Are reflective, receptive to feedback, and dedicated to ongoing improvement
• Feel inspired by nature-based education and are enthusiastic about teaching outdoors throughout the year
• Communicate clearly and warmly with children, colleagues, and families, and believe in fostering a strong home–school partnership
Hypha International School is situated in the beautiful Sintra Natural Park, offering a unique international education that emphasizes nature, project-based learning, and a focus on wellbeing, curiosity, and academic excellence. Our goal is to cultivate thoughtful and capable young individuals who possess a strong sense of agency and responsibility.
In our Pre-Primary program (ages 3–4), we provide a rich early years experience that integrates the best practices from Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and outdoor learning, all while adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We believe that young children thrive through meaningful relationships, hands-on exploration, and engaging experiences, with nature serving as an essential teacher rather than just a backdrop.
Influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we view children as capable, inquisitive, and full of potential. We foster an environment where their questions, theories, and interests are valued, and where learning is visible through careful observation and documentation. Our classrooms and outdoor areas are thoughtfully designed to act as a third teacher, offering diverse materials, stimulating provocations, and open-ended experiences that promote creativity, communication, and critical thinking.
With the stunning Sintra landscape surrounding us, children engage extensively in outdoor activities, enhancing their confidence, resilience, and sense of wonder through intentional play, exploration, and connection to the environment. Our approach lays the groundwork for early language, literacy (including phonics), numeracy, and social-emotional development while prioritizing the essentials of early childhood: belonging, movement, and imagination.
As we grow, we are looking for an outstanding Pre-Primary teacher who is eager to contribute to the development of a high-quality early years program within our ambitious and value-driven school community.
THE ROLE
We seek a nurturing, reflective, and exceptionally skilled Pre-Primary teacher who:
• Is passionate about providing high-quality early childhood education
• Recognizes the significance of structure, consistency, and emotional safety
• Is enthusiastic about a blended approach that includes Reggio, Montessori, and outdoor learning, grounded in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Advocates for child-centered learning alongside purposeful adult involvement
• Envisions themselves as a contributor to a developing school, extending beyond their own classroom
You will be responsible for a Pre-Primary class, creating responsive learning environments and experiences that foster children's curiosity and independence while establishing strong foundational learning.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
• Establish a calm, inviting, and organized learning atmosphere aligned with EYFS principles
• Utilize observation and documentation (inspired by Reggio) to plan learning that aligns with children's interests and supports their growth
• Integrate Montessori-style materials and routines to encourage independence, coordination, and focus
• Provide developmentally appropriate early literacy experiences, including engaging and systematic phonics instruction
• Foster early numeracy through hands-on activities, pattern recognition, counting, and real-world problem-solving
• Incorporate outdoor learning as a vital component of the curriculum, promoting wellbeing, resilience, curiosity, and appreciation for the environment
• Support social-emotional development through warm, consistent guidance and Positive Discipline techniques
• Communicate thoughtfully with families to build a strong home–school connection
• Collaborate with colleagues to enhance the transition from Pre-Primary to Primary as Hypha continues to expand
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
You would be a great fit for this role if you:
• Hold a recognized Early Years teaching qualification (QTS, PGCE, EYFS/ECE equivalent, or similar)
• Have experience teaching children aged 3–5, with international experience being a bonus
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of the EYFS and how to implement it into meaningful, developmentally suitable practices
• Are confident in teaching early literacy foundations, including phonological awareness and early phonics, in an age-appropriate manner
• Know how to balance child-led learning with established routines, boundaries, and purposeful adult guidance
• Value professionalism, thorough preparation, and deep pedagogical understanding
• Are reflective, receptive to feedback, and dedicated to ongoing improvement
• Feel inspired by nature-based education and are enthusiastic about teaching outdoors throughout the year
• Communicate clearly and warmly with children, colleagues, and families, and believe in fostering a strong home–school partnership