Preschool Teacher

Join Good Dharma International School in Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Good Dharma is looking for an experienced and passionate Preschool Class Teacher to join our growing international school in southern Sri Lanka.

We are a school where children develop strong foundations for future learning while remaining curious, capable and connected — to themselves, to others and to the natural world around them.

Our campus is set within two acres of tropical gardens, with organic growing areas, animals and outdoor spaces forming an important part of everyday school life. Nature is one of our classrooms.

About Good Dharma

Good Dharma follows the Oxford International Curriculum (OIC), from Early Years through Primary.

In Early Years, OIC provides a play-based and developmentally appropriate framework that creates a strong foundation for progression into the Oxford International Primary Curriculum.

Our academic framework is brought to life through the Good Dharma Approach to Education, built around seven pillars:

Child-Led · Nature-Based · Playful · Sustainability · Social-Emotional · Creativity & Movement · Community & Culture

We believe young children learn deeply when they are given opportunities to play, explore, question, create, move, investigate and experience the world around them — supported by skilled educators who understand child development and know when to guide, extend and explicitly teach.

The Role

As a Preschool Class Teacher, you will take responsibility for your own class and create a warm, engaging and purposeful Early Years environment.

You will plan and deliver learning in line with the OIC Early Years framework and the Good Dharma Approach, ensuring children develop academically, socially, emotionally, physically and creatively.

The Preschool Class Teacher reports to the Deputy Head and works closely with Teaching Assistants, specialist educators and the wider academic team.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day teaching, learning and wellbeing of your class.

• Plan and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate learning aligned with OIC Early Years objectives and progression.

• Bring the Good Dharma Approach and Seven Pillars into everyday classroom practice.

• Create a rich environment for play, exploration, inquiry and child-led learning, while providing purposeful adult guidance and explicit teaching where appropriate.

• Use our gardens, animals and wider campus as meaningful learning environments, making nature-based education a genuine part of everyday practice.

• Observe and assess children's development and use this understanding to plan appropriate next steps.

• Recognise and respond to individual learning needs, interests and developmental stages.

• Work effectively with Teaching Assistants and contribute to a collaborative teaching culture.

• Maintain a safe, organised, inspiring and well-resourced classroom environment.

• Build positive relationships with families and provide clear, meaningful communication about children's learning and development.

• Participate in Learning Cycle planning, staff meetings, professional development, school events and the wider life of the Good Dharma community.

• Contribute positively to the continued development of Good Dharma as the school grows.

The Educator We Are Looking For

We are looking for an educator who combines strong Early Years practice with curiosity, creativity and a genuine love of working with young children.

You should be comfortable in an environment where children may move between the classroom, garden and wider campus throughout their learning.

You understand that child-led learning does not mean leaving children to learn alone. Great Early Years educators carefully observe, question, model, guide and extend children's thinking while knowing when to step back and allow curiosity to lead.

You should also enjoy being part of a growing school where collaboration, initiative and continuous improvement are important.

Requirements

Candidates should have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education or a related field, or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.

• Professional experience teaching within Early Years / Preschool.

• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice.

• Experience with play-based and inquiry-led learning.

• Ability to plan, assess and document children's learning and progression.

• Strong classroom management and organisational skills.

• Excellent spoken and written English.

• Strong communication skills with children, colleagues and families.

• A collaborative, adaptable and professional approach.

Experience with OIC, EYFS or another recognised international Early Years curriculum is an advantage.

Experience or a strong interest in nature-based education, outdoor learning, sustainability or forest-school-inspired practice is particularly welcomed.

Working at Good Dharma

Good Dharma offers the opportunity to be part of a growing international school with a distinctive educational vision.

Our teachers work within a collaborative professional environment with opportunities for professional development, curriculum development and continued growth within the school.

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to teach in an environment where learning can move naturally between the classroom, garden, animals, community and wider landscape of southern Sri Lanka.

Give children an education that could only have happened here — and academic foundations that can travel anywhere.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining your Early Years experience, educational approach and why you are interested in joining Good Dharma to hr [at] gooddharma.lk.

Curious. Capable. Connected.