Outdoor Early Years Room Manager (OEYRM)- Cyprus

Do you want to make a difference at the most crucial stage of a child's development? Defence Children Services (DCS) are recruiting three Outdoor 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? Do you love teaching children outdoors? 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 in our Early Years settings based in Cyprus. You will have expertise in leading the highest quality of outdoor 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 Episkopi Early Years, alongside Akrotiri Primary and Akrotiri Early Years. In the East, Queen Berengaria Primary is based in Dhekelia 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.

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. As such using data to aid understanding of our workforce is vital.

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 Outdoor Early Years Room Manager (OEYRM) plays a crucial role in the operational delivery of Early Years Foundation Stage provision. Under direction of the Early Years Manager (EYM), the OEYRM is responsible for the safe and effective delivery of Early Years education and care. The OEYRM will be part of the deputy designated safeguarding team (DDSL) and will provide excellent leadership of teaching and learning across the 0-5 age range. The OEYRM will lead the teaching and learning of outdoor play and will lead and develop the outdoor curriculum across the 0-5 years. They will already be an expert in delivering Forest schools and will lead Beach Schools for the 0-5 age range of children. The OEYRM will be innovative in creating and setting up exciting and inviting provocations to play outdoors to support young children's curiosity and exploratory play.

The OEYRM will work closely with, and will support, the EYM, the DEYMs, the EYRMs and AHT, to ensure effective implementation of our play based, Early Years outdoor curriculum. In addition to planning and directing sessions, facilitating weekly planning meetings, assisting with INSET training days, and writing/ monitoring children's learning journeys; the OEYRM will be expected to champion effective, quality outdoor teaching and learning, reflective practice, and will strive to build strong teams. They will set up the outdoor environments to support the team to develop outstanding outdoor provision for the children at the setting. They will also ensure the safe and effective delivery of outdoor education by supporting children and teams with proportionate risk management for the Early Years age range of children.

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

Person Specification

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

Essential Criteria

• Leadership of outdoor teaching and learning and Forest Schools in a demanding, full-time 0-5 yrs setting. You must be in a current EYFS setting.
• Outdoor planning and teaching the EYFS to birth - pre-school children for outdoor learning and Forest School schools and experience of developing and delivering a 0-5yrs outdoor curriculum for the EYFS
• Health and Safety experience- must have proven experience of writing and implementing robust risk assessments for outdoor learning environments and activities

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with leading Beach Schools

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Level 3 Forest School Qualification. You must hold this qualification at the time of application.

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

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference, and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career.

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) Outdoor Early Years Room Manager (OEYRM)- 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.