By role
14 agencies in the directory say they recruit early years teachers for international schools, including FlyTeachers, Alliance Recruitment Agency and chk Education.
Early years posts abroad sit in a slightly different corner of the market from the rest of a school. Many British-curriculum international schools run a nursery and reception section, and where they follow a national framework it is usually the English Early Years Foundation Stage, which GOV.UK describes as the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5.
This page covers what recruiters tend to check for EYFS candidates, how a school's accreditation can tell you something about its early years provision, and which qualifications are worth confirming before you register with an agency.
A school that calls itself British may follow the English EYFS closely, adapt it, or blend it with a local early childhood programme. The statutory framework itself is published by the Department for Education for providers in England, so overseas schools use it by choice rather than by law. A good agency will tell you which version a school follows before you are put forward.
If you trained in England, your reception or nursery experience maps directly onto an EYFS school. If you trained elsewhere, expect to be asked how your practice lines up with the English learning goals.
Leadership routes for early years in England run through the early years leadership NPQ. GOV.UK says it is for people qualified to at least level 3 with a full and relevant qualification, and that it takes 18 months. It names nursery managers and reception class teachers who lead early years among those it is designed for.
The funding described on that page applies to settings in England, so a teacher working abroad should ask the course provider directly about eligibility rather than assuming it carries over.
Schools that hold British Schools Overseas accreditation have to be inspected every three years by an approved inspectorate. GOV.UK also states that a school without BSO accreditation cannot offer statutory induction to early career teachers. That matters if you are newly qualified and want your induction year to count.
Check whether the reception and nursery years are covered by the published inspection report, since the report is public for every accredited school.
Recruitment agency · London, United Kingdom
Recruiter for international school teaching roles; candidates create a free account to apply
Recruitment agency
Says it places teachers, professors and trainers in international schools, universities and training academies in 36+ countries
Recruitment agency
Specialist recruitment service connecting international schools with experienced educators and leaders
Recruitment agency · Bridge of Weir, United Kingdom
Recruits teachers for international schools, primarily in the Middle East and also East Asia, Australasia, Europe and North Africa
Recruitment agency
Describes itself as a specialist in international education recruitment with a teacher-matching service and job board
Recruitment agency · Ottawa, Canada
Places teachers in schools in the Middle East and Asia, many on British or American curricula
Recruitment agency · Holywood, United Kingdom
Recruits teachers and school leaders for international schools in the UAE and wider GCC
Recruitment agency · York, United Kingdom
Connects teachers with international schools across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean
Recruitment agency
Places English-speaking qualified primary and secondary teachers in international schools
Recruitment agency · London, United Kingdom
Connects qualified teachers with schools in Dubai and the wider Middle East
Recruitment agency · London, United Kingdom
States services for job seekers are completely free
Recruitment agency · Melbourne, Australia
Connects international schools with educators from executive leaders to early childhood specialists
Recruitment agency · Willenhall, United Kingdom
Provides teachers to American, Anglo-American, British and international schools worldwide
Job board · London, United Kingdom
UK job board for teachers looking to work abroad, covering all continents
There is no single rule. Each school sets its own requirement, and many British-style schools prefer QTS or an equivalent. Ask the agency what the specific post requires before you apply.
Only at a school accredited as a British School Overseas, according to GOV.UK. Schools without that accreditation cannot offer statutory induction.
GOV.UK describes the funding in terms of settings in England. Contact one of the course providers to find out whether you can enrol from abroad and whether you would pay fees.
Schools that follow the English framework generally value it, although each employer decides. Be ready to describe your planning, observation and assessment practice in the language of the EYFS.