Early Years Teacher

About the School - Paseo de la Habana:

1415 students | 56 nationalities | 6 sites | 1 school

Hastings School, founded in 1971, serves students aged 2-18, from a diverse community and is nestled in the heart of Madrid, Spain. We are a prestigious, premium international school, within the Cognita family of schools.  Our holistic educational approach delivers outstanding academic results. Whilst in the last two years our graduates leave to attend many of the best universities around the world including; University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Duke University, University of Edinburgh, King's College London, KU Leuven, LSE, University of St Andrews & Delft University of Technology to but name a few.

We want students of all ages to enjoy their educational journey at Hastings starting from their first day at school.  We want them to fulfil their academic potential and develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes they will need in the future.

We utilize a series of learning habits as part of our learner power approach.  These habits are Collaboration, Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy, Reflection, Resilience, Responsibility and Thinking.

At Hastings, as part of the Cognita group of schools, we explicitly design our approach to education to help students develop these attributes and emerge ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

This is a remarkable time to join a remarkable school.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Early Years Teacher to join our fantastic team. 

About Cognita:
Cognita is a global leader in independent education.  Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 21 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students.  Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world".

At Cognita, we know every student is unique.  We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from.  And each and every one of our schools is unique too.

We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger.  We open their classrooms to the collective wisdom of over 90 schools in 21 countries, ensuring every child gets an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

It’s an individual approach that empowers every school, teacher and student to focus on what they do best and thrive.

About the Role:
We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Early Years practitioner to deliver high-quality education that inspires curiosity, supports individual development, and enables every child to reach their full potential within a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. The successful candidate will plan, deliver, and evaluate a broad, balanced, and differentiated curriculum in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, creating engaging, play-based learning experiences that promote exploration, active learning, and critical thinking. They will adapt teaching to meet the diverse needs of all learners, while fostering a positive, well-organised classroom that supports independence and wellbeing. Working collaboratively with Teaching Assistants and support staff, the role also involves observing, assessing, and tracking children’s progress, using assessment data to inform planning and next steps, and providing clear, constructive feedback to parents. A strong focus on pastoral care is essential, including building positive relationships with pupils, supporting their personal, social, and emotional development, and promoting positive behaviour in line with school policy. The successful candidate will contribute to the wider life of the school, engage in continuous professional development, and maintain effective communication with colleagues and families. A strong commitment to safeguarding is essential, including adhering to all policies and procedures, reporting concerns appropriately, and maintaining up-to-date training.
This is a permanent, full-time role, with a start date of 31/08/2026.

To view our Role Profile, please click here

Who We Are Looking For:
We are seeking a motivated and dedicated Early Years professional with experience of working in an Early Years setting and a relevant university degree alongside a recognised teaching or Early Years qualification. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organisational and classroom management skills, with the ability to plan engaging and effective learning experiences that support all learners. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and the wider school community. A secure understanding of early years pedagogy, a commitment to inclusive education, and a proactive, enthusiastic approach to teaching are key. The successful candidate will maintain high levels of professionalism and demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

How to Apply:
Complete this application before the closing date: Sunday 16th August 2026

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. 

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.