Early Years Adviser - ESF Centre

The Adviser – Early Years Education plays a vital role in promoting ESF’s Vision 2030 by fostering Belonging, Engagement, and Personalisation across all ESF kindergartens and early years environments in Primary Schools.

Within the Education team, the Adviser offers strategic leadership and pedagogical direction to guarantee exceptional early years education rooted in play-based learning, inclusive practices, and developmentally suitable settings.

This position enhances pedagogical consistency among ESF kindergartens and primary schools, facilitating alignment between early years teaching methods, inclusive educational principles, and seamless transition pathways into primary education, with an emphasis on curriculum, learning, and instruction.

The Adviser collaborates closely with school leaders, early years teams, and ESFC colleagues to build capacity and ensure excellence in early childhood education throughout the Foundation.

Key Responsibilities

System Leadership and Strategy:

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Contribute to the strategic creation, implementation, and evaluation of ESF early years curriculum frameworks, policies, and guidelines.

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Ensure coherence between early years pedagogy, Vision 2030 objectives, and ESF inclusion principles.

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Support alignment among early years education, assessment methods, and transition expectations for Year 1.

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Prepare reports, briefings, and strategic communications for senior leadership as required.

Pedagogy, Play, Inclusion, and Learning Environments:

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Offer expert advice on play-based learning, inquiry-driven pedagogy, and developmentally appropriate practices that enable all children to engage, participate, and excel.

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Assist schools in crafting high-quality early years environments that foster agency, curiosity, well-being, belonging, and engagement among diverse learners.

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Provide guidance on curriculum development, documentation of learning experiences, and assessment practices aligned with best practices in early childhood education, responsive to individual developmental needs.

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

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Assist schools in implementing tiered support strategies within everyday teaching and learning.

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Contribute to guidelines regarding early identification, responsive planning, and personalized pathways in collaboration with Student Support Services colleagues when appropriate.

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Encourage reflective practice and professional dialogue within and across early years teams to enhance coherence, inclusion, and quality.

Transition and Continuity of Learning:

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

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Foster a shared understanding between kindergarten and primary leaders concerning curriculum expectations and inclusive practices.

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Contribute to the development of Enhanced Transition guidance as needed.

Professional Learning and Network Leadership:

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

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Create and nurture professional networks for early years leaders and educators.

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

Collaboration and Communication:

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

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

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Clearly and effectively communicate pedagogical developments and strategic priorities.

Requirements:

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Recognized teaching qualification with extensive experience in early childhood education.

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

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Considerable leadership experience in early years education within an international or comparable setting.

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

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

Knowledge:

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Current research and practices in early childhood education.

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Play-based and inquiry-led pedagogy.

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Developmentally appropriate assessment and documentation methods.

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Inclusive early years practices and tiered support strategies.

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Transition and continuity frameworks.

Abilities:

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Strategic thinking and curriculum development.

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Facilitation of professional learning.

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Designing and assessing learning environments.

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Building systemic coherence across multiple schools and educational phases.

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Leading change within complex educational contexts.

Demonstrates the ability to:

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Advance high-quality early childhood education with clarity and moral purpose.

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Develop collaborative, trust-based relationships across schools.

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Listen, influence, and foster reflective professional dialogue.

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Balance pedagogical expertise with partnership and humility.

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Navigate complexity with sensitivity and confidence.

Closing Date: 12 Apr 2026

For inquiries, please reach out to Karen Ng at karen.ng@esfcentre.edu.hk.

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

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

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed 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 provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which can be provided upon request.

ESF is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and expects all applicants to uphold this commitment. We follow 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 line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidelines, ESF may conduct online checks for all shortlisted candidates before the interview.

About Us:

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) stands as the largest organization offering English-medium international education in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools, along with a comprehensive 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 from 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary, and all-through schools, we celebrate diversity in our community.

About the Team:

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is a forward-thinking, well-organized educational entity committed to providing an 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, which leads to the International Baccalaureate, is 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 provide a wide array of extracurricular activities both locally and internationally.

With over 18,000 students, our culture emphasizes a joy for learning and pride in achievements. Most of our students pursue the IB Diploma and gain admission to universities around the globe. 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.