Atelierista - Reggio Emilia Approach

Kids First Group (KFG) is the leading group in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha for providing premium early years education and childcare. Founded in 2011, we have 36 nursery schools. We stand unique from other group nurseries, as each of our Kids First Group nurseries specializes in and is passionate about their own exclusive curriculum and pedagogical approach: spanning a choice from the Early Years Foundation Stage (British EYFS), Montessori Method, and Reggio Emilia Approach, to name a few.

Kids First Group is currently seeking an outstanding Atelierista , to join our growing family.

An outstanding Early Childhood Nursery is seeking a joyful, creative, and highly skilled Atelierista to lead our Reggio Emilia-inspired Atelier (studio) programme. The Atelier is a central component of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, where children are encouraged to explore, express, and make meaning through the “hundred languages of children.” This role is pivotal in linking creative inquiry, artistic exploration, and emergent learning across all nursery environments for children up to 6 years old.

You will:

• Lead and inspire the Atelier programme, bringing vision, creativity, and a deep understanding of Reggio Emilia pedagogy.
• Collaborate with educators to co-design and integrate “emergent” projects across classrooms and learning spaces.
• Facilitate creative, process-oriented, and project-based experiences in the Atelier using paint, clay, natural materials, loose parts, and other open-ended media.
• Join children for experiential learning beyond the classroom, including outdoor explorations and artistic adventures.
• Document children’s learning through observation, visual documentation, learning narratives, and portfolios to capture the process of discovery.
• Plan and curate exhibitions and displays to showcase children’s projects and creative work within the Nursery and to the broader community.
• Engage parents and families through workshops, newsletters, and presentations that communicate the philosophy, process, and outcomes of Atelier experiences.
• Contribute to professional learning by mentoring teachers, leading reflective practice sessions, and supporting the embedding of Reggio principles across all learning environments.
• Support the development of vibrant, engaging, and child-centred learning environments across nurseries, ensuring high-quality pedagogical practice and consistency with Reggio philosophy.

Requirements & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Fine Arts, Art Education, or related field. Postgraduate Reggio Emilia or art pedagogy qualifications are highly desirable.
• Minimum 2–5 years of teaching experience in early childhood education, with exposure to creative or arts-based pedagogy.
• Strong understanding of Reggio Emilia principles, including the role of the Atelier, the environment as a third teacher, emergent curriculum, and child-led inquiry.
• Experience in mentoring or collaborating with educators to embed creative, project-based learning across classrooms.
• Expertise in artistic media and processes appropriate for young children (painting, clay, sculpture, sensory and mixed media).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including engaging children, educators, and families.
• Highly organized, reflective, and collaborative, with a love for early childhood learning and curiosity-driven practice.
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, and fostering the holistic development of all children.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about children’s creativity, curiosity, and self-expression.
• Joyful, enthusiastic, and inspiring presence in the learning environment.
• Innovative and resourceful, able to design stimulating Atelier experiences that provoke inquiry and exploration.
• Flexible, adaptable, and collaborative, able to work across multiple nurseries and teams.

What we offer:

1. Excellent remuneration package which includes competitive tax-free salary.

2. Annual Air-Ticket and paid vacations.

3. Medical insurance for self as per company policy.

4. Training will be provided in line with MOE requirements and continuous professional development.

5. Discounted Nursery fees and more.

6. A fantastic work environment, with plenty of support, mentoring and direction.

7. Working within a team of highly driven and supportive colleagues.

8. We are committed to developing our staff and run regular professional development workshops to ensure our teachers are equipped to provide students with the best possibly educational experience.

If you truly want to work in a great environment and have got all the above, we would like to hear from you! you can apply at careers@kidsfirstgroup.com

Job Type: Full-time