Early Years Room Manager - Cyprus

Do you want to make a difference at the most crucial stage of a child's development? Defence Children Services (DCS) are recruiting eleven Early Years Room Managers into our Early Years Settings in Cyprus. Are you a motivated leader who is committed to safeguarding, reflective practice, and fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity, and joy? If you are ready to make a difference, we would love to hear from you!

We are looking for inspiring Early Years Room Managers to lead high-quality teaching and learning for children aged 0-5, across our Early Years settings, located across our Sovereign Based Areas of Cyprus. You will have expertise in leading the highest quality of education and care across the Early Years.

In Cyprus, Early Years settings and schools are located in both the Western and Eastern Sovereign Base Areas (WSBA and ESBA). In the West, provision is delivered at Episkopi Primary and Early Years, alongside Akrotiri Primary and Early Years. In the East, Queen Berengaria Primary and the ESBA Early Years Setting operate across two sites-Dhekelia Garrison and a satellite at Ayios Nikolaos Station. Our vision is to deliver exceptional, child-led education and care for children from birth to four. Purpose-built classrooms and outdoor environments foster curiosity, creativity, and holistic development through engaging activities in play, arts, literacy, maths, and more.

Defence Children Services (DCS) is a Defence delivery organisation, subordinated under Army Regional Command. Our Vision is that we Educate the Child - Support the Family - Defend the Nation. HQ DCS is UK based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon and has forward deployed staff all over the world. DCS is responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings; provides advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.

This is an established MOD post within Cyprus and any Cypriot Nationals will not be eligible to apply as a UKBC (UK British Civil Servant).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The Early Years Room Manager (EYRM) plays a crucial role in the operational delivery of Early Years Foundation Stage provision. Under direction of the setting/school, the Early Years Room Manager is responsible for the safe and effective delivery of Early Years education and care. The Early Years Room Manager is the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Children Lead (DDSL) and will provide excellent leadership of teaching and learning across the 0-5 age range.

The Early Years Room Manager will lead the teaching and learning of play based classrooms and will lead and develop the curriculum across the 0-5 years. The Early Years Room Manager will work closely with (and will support) the Early Years Manager, the Deputy Early Years Managers, and setting/school, to ensure effective implementation of our play based, Early Years curriculum.

In addition to planning and directing sessions, facilitating weekly planning meetings, assisting with INSET training days, and monitoring children's learning journeys; the Early Years Room Manager will be expected to champion effective, quality teaching and learning, reflective practice, and will strive to build strong teams.

In this role, you will:

• Lead a dedicated team and create a safe, nurturing, play-based learning environment.
• Champion the Early Years curriculum and support every child to thrive.
• Build strong partnerships with families, colleagues, and the wider community.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of care and well-being.
• Mentor and develop practitioners, driving excellence across your setting.

Full job description and list of responsibilities can be found at the link below.
Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have the following Essential skills, knowledge and behaviours.

Essential skills/qualifications required:

• Experience working in a demanding full-time setting.
• Proven understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Experience planning and teaching Early Years Foundation Stage, birth to pre-school children.
• Experience of managing and developing a team.
• Proven experience and understanding of safeguarding and keeping children safe in education.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Level 3 Early Years Educator (or equivalent) as a minimum. You must hold this qualification at the time of application.
• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) for those qualified after September 2014

Evidence will be required at interview.
All qualifications, licences or memberships declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalents will not be accepted.

Benefits

We are passionate about delivering extraordinary things for our people. We employ people who challenge and guide each other, working within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills and experience.

Some of the many benefits you will receive include:

• Learning & Development opportunities for professional & personal development of skills.
• A culture encouraging inclusion & diversity. Medical & dental support.
• A paid annual return flight to the UK is also provided for each family member after completing 12 months in post.
• The post offers full relocation allowances subject to eligibility.
• Cost of Living Overseas Allowance (COLA) is payable based on personal circumstances and marital status.

In line with the TACOS for this post, accommodation is free for the first five years of your MOD employment overseas with subsidised utilities. Thereafter, rent and utilities are payable. Please note if you have previously worked overseas for the MOD and have been in recipient of free rent and utilities then that period will be deducted from your five-year allowance.

This post offers full relocation allowances subject to availability. Cost of Living Overseas Allowances is payable based on personal circumstances and marital status.

Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.

To apply please visit Civil Service Jobs Army -Defence Children Services (DCS) Early Years Room Manager - Cyprus - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK to submit your completed application before the deadline of Monday 23 rd March 2026.

Defence Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.