A Gap Year That Could Change the Way You See Children — and Yourself

Native English Speaker Wanted | Early Years Education | Montenegro

Are you a young, energetic, creative person who loves children, enjoys playing, and is curious about how children think, feel, learn and grow?

Would you like to spend a year by the beautiful Adriatic Sea, gain meaningful experience, and learn from a team of passionate professionals?

Dukley Academy, an international school in Budva, Montenegro, is looking for a wonderful person to join our kindergarten team.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who is:

* A native English speaker.
* Energetic, warm, playful and genuinely interested in children.
* Able to connect with children through play, listen to them and take their ideas seriously.
* Creative, with an artistic eye and an interest in exploring the world through art, movement, imagination and hands-on experiences.
* Curious about child psychology, emotional development and respectful approaches to education.
* Open-minded, reflective and willing to learn.

You don’t necessarily need professional experience in early childhood education. What matters most is your personality, your attitude towards children, and your willingness to learn.

Our philosophy

Our kindergarten is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. We see children as capable, curious individuals with their own ideas, feelings and ways of understanding the world.

We have a few fundamental principles that guide everything we do:

* No comparisons. Every child is unique, and we respect their individual pace and personality.
* Respectful communication. We make requests by asking, “Would it be possible to…?” rather than giving unnecessary orders.
* I-messages instead of blame. We express our own feelings and needs without labelling or shaming a child.
* Play is serious work. We believe that playing together, exploring, creating and asking questions are essential parts of learning.
* Children deserve to be heard. We don’t simply tell children what to do; we try to understand their perspectives and involve them in finding solutions.

We are looking for someone who is ready to embrace these principles and put them into practice in everyday life.

What makes this opportunity special?

Our kindergarten is a small, welcoming community with approximately 12 children in a group and a strong team of supportive professionals.

You will work alongside:

* Two professional early years educators.
* A psychotherapist.
* An atelierista — an art specialist who helps children explore ideas through creative expression.
* A specialist delivering our Pearson programme.
* Our own cook and other members of the team.

You will not be left alone to manage a group of children. You will be part of a team that can guide you, support you and help you grow.

And you will have the opportunity to learn a great deal.

We will introduce you to respectful communication, child development, creative learning, emotional support and the practical application of the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Even if you have never considered a career in education, this experience may open up a completely new world for you.

We believe that learning to understand children can change the way you communicate, build relationships and see other people. It can help you become a more thoughtful future parent, a more empathetic person, or a skilled professional who chooses to work with children.

What do we offer?

* Accommodation in beautiful Montenegro, on the Adriatic coast.
* A supportive, experienced and multidisciplinary team.
* Meaningful, hands-on experience in early childhood education.
* An opportunity to explore the Reggio Emilia approach in practice.
* A chance to develop your communication, creative and interpersonal skills.
* The possibility of discussing flight costs after a personal interview.

* Working hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
* Monthly salary: €1,000.
* Official employment in Montenegro.
* Accommodation provided.
* Lunch at the kindergarten, shared with our educators and team members.

You will be part of a small, supportive community of professionals who are passionate about children’s development, creativity and respectful education.

After a personal interview, we may also be able to cover your travel costs to Montenegro.⁠

We are open to candidates looking for a one-year gap year, and we would also be delighted to meet someone interested in staying longer and developing professionally with us.

Interested?

If you are enthusiastic about children, enjoy being creative, and feel that respectful, relationship-based education resonates with you, we would love to hear from you.

Please send us a short introduction about yourself, your interests, your plans for your gap year, and why this opportunity appeals to you.

Come to Montenegro to experience a different way of learning, playing and growing — alongside the children and yourself.