Pedagogical Lead, HEI Schools Nagoya Sakae, Japan
Pedagogical Lead, HEI Schools Nagoya Sakae, Japan
A new international preschool in Nagoya, Japan will open for the first time in spring 2026! HEI Schools Nagoya Sakae is currently seeking for a Pedagogical Lead to join their team in March 2026.
HEI Schools is an international preschool concept from Finland with University of Helsinki as a co-founder and shareholder. HEI Schools is implemented in HEI Branded preschools in over 19 countries. HEI Schools Nagoya Sakae joins the global preschool community as the first one in Japan - providing Finland-inspired early education services to families with 2-5 year old children. The preschool is co-owned by a Japanese electricity company and an experienced daycare operator with the mission to enrich the lives of local communities. The preschool’s maximum number is 51 children. The working language is English and you will report to the Preschool Director who is responsible for overseeing the preschool operations including compliance and being the legal supervisor for educators.
As Pedagogical Lead, you will be responsible for leading the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of HEI Schools curriculum and pedagogy in Nagoya. This is a new role as the preschool is starting its operations for the first time. You will set up the pedagogical structures for the whole preschool with the help of HEI Curriculum which includes everything from age-specific learning objectives to monthly themes and lesson plans. You will be the main person to guide local educators' daily work in implementing Finland-inspired play-based curriculum and you will support their professional development. You are evaluating the pedagogical implementation of the HEI Schools pedagogy and ensuring the preschool is meeting the education quality standards. Together with the local team, you build and maintain positive relationships with children, families, educators and staff. You maintain learning data such as records of student progress and prepare reports. The majority of your work will be leading the pedagogy by rotating in child groups, but some working time may also be allocated to substituting teachers as and when needed. You will support preschool Director in daycare operations as and when needed for example participating in educator interviews, developing center policies and working culture and communication towards parents.
In this role, you will:
- Lead the planning, implementation and evaluation of HEI Schools curriculum and pedagogy
- Provide curriculum direction and guidance and support for local educators to effectively implement pedagogical planning
- Build the knowledge, skills and professionalism of local educators
- Guide families’ understandings about play-based learning, and the significance of the early years in the education continuum for children
- Maintain learning data and create reports
- Other tasks such as substituting teachers and supporting Preschool Director in preschool operations
- This role might require some travel in Japan and abroad
To succeed in this role, you bring:
- Work experience as an Early Childhood Education Teacher from Finland
- Bachelor of Education with an early childhood education teacher qualification (varhaiskasvatuksen opettaja tai sosionomi), educational degree from Finland appreciated
- Good written and spoken English. Japanese language skills and cultural understanding are appreciated.
- International and multicultural work experience as an educator are appreciated
- Ability to lead educators from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of knowledge and experience
- Work experience as Daycare Director, especially from a private daycare, is appreciated
- Other skills are appreciated such as good communication and interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, adaptive and resilient mindset, proactive and approach with the ability to make independent decisions
What HEI Schools Nagoya Sakae offers:
- The employer is HEI Schools Nagoya Sakae (TCK Global Education LLC) and the employment contract follows the Japanese labor law
- Fixed-term at least for one year, with a possibility for an extension. Longer than 1 year commitment appreciated.
- Start in March 2026, or as agreed
- Based in Nagoya, Japan
- Monthly gross salary of 3500 - 3750 EUR depending on qualifications and experience (salary is paid in JPY ¥)
- Full-time position with 40 hours / week normally from Monday to Friday including daily 1 hour lunch break. Exact working times are determined on a monthly shift schedule according to preschool opening hours, current estimation from 7:30 to 19:00 (subject to change). Some work during weekends or public holidays might be required, such as conducting parent events.
- Paid annual holiday 20 days / year and public holidays 16 days / year
- Help in securing furnished apartment with utilities (electricity, water, gas) as agreed. Estimated monthly cost for employee for a 1 bedroom apartment in Nagoya city center is 450 - 600 EUR.
- Round-trip airfare (flights) provided
- All Visa application expenses covered
- Commuting allowance provided (subject to a maximum)
- Annual bonus linked to company performance
- Public health insurance, accident insurance and liability insurance
- Work equipment if needed for work purposes (phone, phone subscription incl.internet, laptop)
- Necessary items for the school (e.g., uniforms)
- All educators will receive onboarding and training in addition to regular on-going support from HEI Headquarters in Finland during employment
- Support in relocation such as visa application, registering as resident, receiving local social security number, opening a local bank account and other
- Overall tax deducted from salary in Japan is around 25 - 30%
- Estimation of monthly living costs of 750 - 1150 EUR (incl. apartment with utensils, groceries and casual dining, daily household essentials, transportation, freetime activities) should give a comfortable living standard in Nagoya
A background check will be conducted for this role as part of the hiring process. A condition of the job is an accepted transcript of education qualification, criminal record, health check and work permit in Japan.
Read more: https://nagoya-sakae.heischools.com
Why join the team?
- Japan is a safe country with a unique culture where thousands of years old tradition meets the highly modern way of life. The country with friendly locals, cherry blossoms and diverse cuisine beyond sushi is truly an experience you won’t forget. Nagoya is a beautiful city with a 2.3 million population located on the main island only 2 hours train ride away from Tokyo.
- International work experience supported by a global community of more than 25 HEI Schools branded kindergartens operating around the world and 15 more coming in future. See other HEI branded preschools around the world: www.heischools.com/company/locations
- An inspiring role as the expert of Finnish early childhood education, supporting local passionate educators in providing high-quality education
- Meaningful work and ability to make a difference in transforming the education landscape!
Interested? Send your CV and a short 2 minutes video in English where you tell us why you would be the best person for the role. Interviews are planned to take place during November but apply as soon as possible as we might move forward with suitable candidates earlier. The last day to apply is 23.10.2025.
Questions? Contact Iida-Lotta Vilkki, Office & HR Manager, HEI Schools Headquarters Finland, +358 40 826 9546, iida-lotta.vilkki[at]heischools.com. Available from Monday to Friday during office hours (EEST / GMT +3). If there is no reply, please send a message or email to schedule a call.
HEI Schools Headquarters is conducting the recruitment on behalf of HEI Schools Nagoya Sakae Japan.