Teaching Assistant

Role Overview

Teaching Assistant at Ghobash Group, HEI UAE, located in the UAE. The role supports the classroom teacher in delivering Finland's Helsinki International Schools Early Childhood Education model within a research-based, child-centred curriculum.

Company Overview

HEI UAE is an exclusive partnership with HEI Schools (Helsinki International Schools), bringing Finland's globally acclaimed, award-winning Early Childhood Education model to the UAE market. The program uses a research-based methodology that provides high-quality child-centred care focusing on holistic development and well-being of children across social, emotional, physical, cognitive growth, and character. The curriculum encourages children to exercise curiosity and creativity through comprehensive teacher training by HEI mentors from Finland.

Role Purpose

The Teaching Assistant assists the Classroom Teacher in daily activities and class management, implementing learning experiences that advance intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of children within a safe and healthy learning environment. The role includes supporting children's personal care needs including feeding and toileting, and ensuring the needs of each individual child are met.

Key Responsibilities

Child Development & Care

• Ensure a high standard of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual care for all children.
• Support children's physical, socio-emotional, and language development through diverse activities and supervision.
• Teach basic personal hygiene, proper eating habits, and social skills.
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet children's varying needs and interests, giving them opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Assist children in feeding and toileting.

Safety & Wellbeing

• Ensure the safety of children at all times.
• Carry out daily risk assessments and supervise indoor and outdoor play to foster child safety.
• Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health problems and discuss findings initially with the Classroom Teacher or nurse and further with the principal.

Classroom Management & Environment

• Prepare materials, class activities, and classroom for daily activities.
• Encourage children to use a variety of materials and resources to explore, manipulate, and use.
• Organize and label displays and student work.
• Adhere to the class timetable.
• Adhere to agreed cleaning rota.

Policies & Compliance

• Follow nursery policies, particularly those regarding safeguarding and positive behavior management.
• Support consistent implementation of curriculum and educational philosophy.
• Ensure cost-effective use of classroom supplies and learning resources.
• Monitor and report any classroom material losses or damages.
• Familiarize self with licensing requirements, regulations, and compliance standards in early childhood education.

Collaboration & Professional Development

• Confer with other staff members to plan weekly activities promoting learning based on topics and curriculum.
• Participate in staff teamwork.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and any training workshops.
• Attend special functions if required outside of the normal school day.
• Foster positive relationships with children, parents, and staff.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Minimum: High School Diploma
• Desired: Bachelor in Education or English/Arabic language

Certifications

• Cache Level 2

Experience

• Minimum: 1 year of similar experience
• Desired: 2–3 years of similar experience

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education, curriculum development, and pedagogy.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with stakeholders, parents, and community partners.
• Understanding of financial management principles and experience in budgeting and resource allocation.