Principal / Nursery Director (Operations, Compliance & Growth)
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Principal – Headstart Nursery Al Ain, UAE Not all nursery leadership roles are the same. Some are about maintaining systems. Some are about managing staff.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Al Ain, UAE
Not all nursery leadership roles are the same.
Some are about maintaining systems.
Some are about managing staff.
Some are about keeping things running.
This role is about building on something special.
Headstart Nursery has been part of the Al Ain community for over 13 years.
During that time, we have been fortunate to have strong leaders, a dedicated team, and families who have trusted us with their children year after year.
Many of our team members have been with us for years and have played a huge part in building the culture, standards, and sense of community that Headstart is known for today.
We have also been fortunate to have strong leadership over the years.
We are grateful for the women who have helped shape Headstart into what it is today.
Now we are looking for the right person to help lead the next chapter.
We're looking for someone who can build trust, bring people together, spot what needs attention before it becomes a problem, and create an environment where children, families, and staff thrive.
This isn't about starting from scratch.
It's about taking something with strong foundations and helping it grow even further.
Why This Role Is Different
You won't be walking into a nursery with high staff turnover, unhappy families, or systems that need rebuilding from the ground up.
You'll be joining a nursery that already has:
✔ A respected reputation within the Al Ain community
✔ A loyal parent base built largely through word of mouth
✔ Long-serving and dedicated team members
✔ Strong ADEK compliance and operational foundations
✔ Supportive owners who value collaboration, trust, and professional autonomy
✔ A genuine commitment to quality, relationships, and continuous improvement
At the same time, we recognise that the early years sector is changing.
The right leader will help us build on what we've achieved while finding new ways to strengthen enrolment, engage families, support staff, and ensure Headstart continues to thrive in the years ahead.
What We're Looking For
- We're looking for a leader who can confidently take ownership of the nursery and build on the strong foundations already in place.
- This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both people and purpose — someone who can support a team, build strong relationships with families, maintain high standards, and help a good nursery become even better.
- The right person will:
- Lead and support a dedicated team.
- Build strong relationships with families and the wider community.
- Help increase enrolment through parent engagement, admissions, community outreach, and relationship building.
- Ensure the nursery continues to meet high operational and ADEK standards.
- Create a positive and professional culture where children, staff, and parents feel valued.
- Bring ideas, initiative, and energy while respecting what has already been built.
- Balance attention to detail with the ability to see the bigger picture.
- Lead with warmth, professionalism, accountability, and integrity.
What Success Looks Like
- A year from now, success would look like:
- A happy, motivated, and well-supported team.
- Strong relationships with families and excellent parent satisfaction.
- Continued high standards across teaching, learning, health and safety, and compliance.
- Increased enrolment and improved retention.
- A nursery that runs smoothly and confidently on a day-to-day basis.
- Children continuing to receive the warm, high-quality experience that Headstart is known for.
Experience & Qualifications
- We are open to candidates from nursery or school leadership backgrounds who bring strong leadership skills and a genuine passion for early childhood education.
- Ideally, you will have:
- Leadership experience in a nursery, kindergarten, or primary school setting.
- A strong understanding of ADEK requirements and the UAE education sector.
- Experience leading and developing teams.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- A proactive approach and willingness to take ownership.
Experience
with admissions, enrolment growth, parent engagement, or community partnerships would be a strong advantage.
**Employment Type:** Full-Time
**Salary:** To be discussed based on experience, qualifications, and the value you can bring to the role.
If you're passionate about early childhood education, enjoy leading people, and are excited by the opportunity to build on something meaningful, we'd love to hear from you.
Please send your CV along with a brief introduction about yourself and why this opportunity interests you.
Pay: AED7,000.00 - AED8,000.00 per month
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