Early Childhood Educator

About Seraya

Seraya Special School is a new, purpose-built centre in Malaysia empowering children and young adults with special needs through education, therapy, vocational training, and pathways to employment.

Backed by MIJ Hub, a Singapore-based non-profit with 14 years of impact, three centres, and social enterprises serving hundreds of neurodivergent individuals. Seraya represents the next chapter in our journey toward inclusive education across the region — a dedicated hub for children with higher needs, supporting every stage of growth from early childhood to adulthood.

About the Role:

As an Early Childhood Educator at Seraya, you'll design and deliver developmentally appropriate, individualized learning experiences for young children aged 4–6 (spanning two developmental cohorts: 4–5 and 5–6) with special needs. You'll build strong foundations in communication, social-emotional development, motor skills, and pre-academic learning — working hand-in-hand with therapists and families during this critical early window of development.

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum \& Classroom Delivery

• Take primary authorship of each child's Individualised Education Plan (IEP) and its supporting plans (ILP, BIP, MIP), as well as the class-level Group Lesson Plan (GLP), subject to review and approval by the Education Lead and/or Principal
• Plan and deliver play-based, developmentally appropriate lessons aligned with each child's IEP and supporting plans
• Adapt teaching methods, materials, and pacing to suit a range of developmental levels and learning styles
• Use assistive and communication technology (e.g. AAC devices) and Seraya's assessment/tracking systems to support learning, communication, and progress monitoring
• Create a warm, structured, and sensory-friendly classroom environment

Individualized Support

• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team (education lead, intervention lead) to align classroom teaching with each child's broader intervention goals
• Use visual supports, routines, and positive behaviour strategies to support engagement and self-regulation
• Apply Seraya's prompt-level framework (independent, verbal, visual, gestural, physical) to support skill acquisition, adjusting and fading prompts as each child progresses
• Adapt activities in real time based on each child's needs on a given day

Direct Support \& Seraya Framework

• Deliver foundational classroom-based support across behavioural, academic, and movement domains, in line with each child's individualised plan
• Apply Seraya's general movement therapy principles and frameworks within daily classroom practice, referring students requiring more targeted or comprehensive movement intervention to the intervention lead
• Monitor and adjust strategies as student needs evolve

Developmental Observation \& Reporting

• Observe and document each child's progress across developmental domains (cognitive, language, social-emotional, motor, self-help)
• Contribute observations and data to IEP reviews and multidisciplinary case discussions
• Prepare progress updates for families and school leadership

Family Partnership

• Build trusting relationships with parents/caregivers, many of whom are navigating an early diagnosis
• Communicate regularly on progress, milestones, and how to reinforce learning at home
• Support each child's readiness for their next stage of learning, including Seraya's future primary school pathway as it develops, or external settings where appropriate — with guidance from the Principal

Classroom \& Student Safety

• Maintain a safe, clean, and well-organized classroom
• Follow health, hygiene, and safety protocols appropriate for young children with additional needs
• Respond calmly and appropriately to behavioural or medical needs as they arise
• Adhere strictly to Seraya's child-safeguarding and protection policies, including mandatory reporting and escalation procedures

Collaboration \& Professional Growth

• Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and ongoing training
• Stay current with best practices in early childhood special education
• Provide informal support and onboarding guidance to new educators or aides assigned to the classroom; educators on Seraya's mentor track take on formal supervisory and feedback responsibilities for assigned staff
• Attend and complete courses, certifications, or training assigned by Seraya as a compulsory part of professional growth and continued employment
• Participate in cross-programme project groups, working alongside educators from other programmes to plan and deliver whole-school events

What You Bring

Qualifications \& Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a related field
• Certification or coursework in early intervention / special needs education is an advantage
• 1–3 years of experience teaching or supporting young children with special needs or developmental delays (fresh graduates with strong relevant practicum/internship experience will also be considered)
• Familiarity with individualized education planning and working alongside therapists/specialists
• Genuine warmth and patience with young children and their families
• Strong observation skills and comfort documenting developmental progress
• Ability to adapt teaching approaches moment-to-moment based on a child's needs
• Calm, clear communicator with parents and multidisciplinary colleagues
• Team player who welcomes coaching and collaborative planning

Pay: RM2,500.00 - RM3,500.00 per month

Benefits:

• Health insurance

Work Location: In person