Speech and Language Specialist (Early Childhood)

Speech and Language Specialist (Early Childhood)

Sharjah Government Nurseries (SGN), operating under Sharjah Education Academy (SEA), provides exceptional early childhood education and care for children aged 0–4 years across the Emirate of Sharjah. SGN is committed to fostering a professional community built on care, collaboration, and excellence. We empower our educators and specialists through continuous development and evidence-based practices, ensuring every role contributes to shaping confident, curious, and compassionate young learners.

Position: Speech and Language Specialist (Early Childhood)

Role Purpose

The Speech and Language Specialist is responsible for diagnosing, treating, and supporting speech, language, communication, and early feeding challenges in children aged 0–4. This role ensures early detection, timely intervention, and high-quality therapeutic support within nursery settings. The specialist enhances communication development through evidence‑based therapy programs, educator training, and strong family engagement. The position plays a central role in strengthening early intervention, inclusive practices, and developmental outcomes across SGN nurseries.

Key Responsibilities

• Assessment & Diagnostic Services
  • Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify speech, language, hearing, fluency, articulation, and social communication delays.
  • Contribute to Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team decisions on developmental delays or communication disabilities.
  • Use standardized and play‑based diagnostic tools suitable for early childhood (0–4 years).
  • Develop individualized speech and language therapy plans based on assessment outcomes.
  • Monitor developmental progress and adjust intervention plans accordingly.
  • Identify children with exceptional or gifted abilities and design enrichment strategies to nurture advanced language, social, and cognitive potential.
• Early Intervention & Therapy Delivery
  • Provide direct one‑on‑one and small‑group speech and language therapy sessions in nurseries.
  • Address expressive/receptive language delays, articulation issues, phonological awareness, early literacy, and social communication.
  • Implement strategies to support children with feeding difficulties related to oral‑motor development.
  • Ensure therapy approaches are child‑centered, age‑appropriate, and evidence‑based.
• Train nursery teachers and assistants on early communication milestones, risk factors for speech and language delays, everyday communication‑building techniques, and creating language‑rich inclusive classrooms.
• Provide ongoing coaching, modeling, and practical strategies that can be embedded in daily routines.
• Develop teacher‑friendly resources such as communication boards, visual supports, strategy guides, and individualized action plans.
• Collaborate with teachers to integrate intervention goals into classroom activities.
• Offer feedback, conduct classroom observations, review progress, and guide educators in creating communication‑supportive learning environments.
• Family Coaching & Engagement
  • Guide and coach families on strategies to support speech and communication development at home.
  • Conduct parent workshops on early communication, play‑based interaction, and developmental milestones.
  • Maintain clear and supportive communication with families regarding progress and recommended follow‑up.
• Program Quality & Case Management
  • Maintain accurate therapy records, documentation, and developmental data aligned with SGN safeguarding standards.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of communication support programs and recommend improvements.
  • Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to coordinate support, share insights, and ensure integrated service delivery.
• Collaboration & Professional Partnerships
  • Work with psychologists, special educators, and external medical/therapeutic agencies when needed.
  • Support SGN’s inclusion framework by contributing expertise to early intervention plans and center‑level strategies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology, Communication Disorders, or related field (PhD preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of experience providing early childhood speech and language therapy, preferably in nursery/early years settings.
• Experience supporting children aged 0–4.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English is mandatory.

Preferred (Additional Credentials) Qualifications

• UAE‑recognized licenses or certifications (CDA, MOE, DHA/DOH, Ministry of Health).
• Experience working in GCC or multicultural early childhood environments.
• Familiarity with UAE safeguarding and inclusion regulations.
• Advanced clinical knowledge in early childhood speech, language, and communication development.
• Strong assessment and therapeutic planning skills.
• Ability to translate clinical knowledge into practical strategies for classroom use.
• Empathetic, family‑centered communication skills.
• Excellent documentation, reporting, and case‑management abilities.
• Strong collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to child protection, ethics, and confidentiality.

Why Join SGN?

• Be part of a leading government early childhood system.
• Contribute to meaningful, high‑impact work shaping children’s foundational learning.
• Access continuous professional development and career growth.
• Join a supportive, value‑driven, purpose‑based professional community.
• Sharjah Education Academy / SGN offers an attractive salary package and excellent benefits.

Sharjah Education Academy aims to spread a culture of continuous improvement in all educational institutions.