Guide · updated 2026-10-16
Primary teaching jobs abroad: what early years and KS1-2 teachers need
Primary teachers abroad need a recognised degree and school experience, plus whatever the host regulator requires. Dubai's KHDA, for example, publishes minimums by age band. British schools abroad are not all bound to England's EYFS.
Primary teaching sits across several age bands once you leave England. A school abroad may run a nursery, a foundation stage for the youngest children and a primary phase, and a regulator may set different minimums for each. If you have taught Reception, Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2, the useful question is which band the post falls into.
This guide uses Dubai's published requirements as a worked example, then covers what the DfE's British Schools Overseas standards say about under-fives and what to ask about frameworks such as the EYFS or the IB Primary Years Programme.
How Dubai splits primary and early years
KHDA's guide for appointing teachers in Dubai private schools sets minimums by age band. For nursery teachers (45 days to 35 months) it asks for a Level 3 qualification in early childhood education and no minimum experience, though a candidate with none must be directly supervised by a qualified, experienced teacher for at least six months.
For pre-kindergarten and foundation stage teachers (36 months up to the start of primary) it asks for a bachelor's degree in education or early childhood education, or a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus at least a Level 3 in early childhood education. Experience is at least one year in an early childhood setting, or six months of supervised practice for someone new to the profession.
The primary phase requirement in the same guide
For primary and elementary teachers (6 to 11 years, or from 5 in schools offering the National Curriculum for England) KHDA asks for a bachelor's degree in education such as a B.Ed or M.Ed, or a bachelor's degree in any subject and at least six months of close school supervision under a qualified, experienced teacher. It also asks for at least one year of recent experience in the phase, or six months of supervised practice if you are new to teaching.
That is KHDA's rule for Dubai, not a global standard. Other regulators set their own, so when you see a primary vacancy in another country, ask the school what its regulator requires and which documents it needs.
What the BSO standards say about under-fives
The DfE's Standards for British Schools Overseas say that where a school has pupils under five, it must provide a programme of activities appropriate to their needs in personal, social, emotional and physical development, and communication and language skills. The standards also expect schools to teach speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy, and to offer full-time supervised education across linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative areas.
The BSO standards do not name England's EYFS statutory framework. The EYFS itself, per GOV.UK, covers children from birth to five and applies to early years providers in England, with current versions taking effect from 1 September 2026. So do not assume a British school abroad follows the EYFS. Ask which framework it uses for Nursery and Reception and how it assesses children.
Curriculum and training questions to ask
Schools may follow the National Curriculum for England, the IB Primary Years Programme or another framework. We have not verified the PYP's requirements against the IB's own pages, so we do not describe them here. If a school is an IB World School, ask what training it expects and who pays for it.
If you are newly qualified, the induction rules matter. GOV.UK says schools without BSO accreditation cannot offer statutory induction to early career teachers, and COBIS says induction posts are not advertised separately, so you need to contact eligible schools directly.
What to prepare
Collect your degree and teaching certificate, references covering the age range you taught, police certificates and a clear account of your recent classroom experience by phase. For Dubai, KHDA also requires two written professional references, one from your most recent employer.
If you are moving between phases, for example from Year 2 to Reception, say so early. KHDA's age-band rules are strict enough that a school may need to check whether your experience matches the post.
Questions teachers ask
Do I need EYFS experience to teach Reception abroad?
It depends on the school and its regulator. KHDA asks for experience in an early childhood setting for foundation stage posts, or supervised practice if you are new. The DfE's BSO standards do not name the EYFS, so ask which framework the school uses.
What does Dubai require for a primary teacher?
KHDA asks for a bachelor's degree in education, or a bachelor's degree in any subject plus six months of close supervision, and at least one year of recent phase experience unless you are new to teaching. Check the current guide before applying.
Is the EYFS compulsory in British schools overseas?
GOV.UK says the EYFS applies to early years providers in England. The BSO standards require a programme of activities for under-fives but do not name the EYFS. Ask the school.
Can a newly qualified primary teacher complete induction abroad?
Yes, in BSO-accredited schools that are members of a recognised support organisation and offer it. COBIS says not every eligible school offers induction each year, so contact the school before you apply.
Are there tests or training I should do before applying?
Requirements vary by country and school. KHDA requires four induction courses before you teach in Dubai. For other posts, ask the school which documents or training it expects.