Qualified & Certified ECE Kaiako (Part Time)

Qualified & Certified ECE Kaiako – Montessori Educare

Join a centre where you’re truly valued!

Come join Palmerston North’s original Montessori, a warm and welcoming standalone centre with over 42 years of history, heart, and genuine passion for early childhood education.

Because we are privately owned and single-site, everything we do comes back to people - our tamariki, their whanau, and you. No corporate layers, just a supportive, close-knit team that works collaboratively, makes decisions together, and supports each other every day.

We are licensed for 50 children aged 2–6 years and pride ourselves on our homely atmosphere and strong, respectful relationships.

Our Values: Aroha - Independence - Whanaungatanga - Respect

Our programme blends the Montessori philosophy with the principles and aspirations of Te Whariki, creating a calm, respectful, and empowering environment where tamariki thrive and kaiako are trusted, supported, and encouraged to grow.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us?

Being a standalone centre means we can offer what big centres often can’t:

• A team that collaborates, supports, and covers for each other
• Decisions made quickly in centre - your voice matters
• Strong, long-term relationships with whanau
• A warm, family-like culture where you are appreciated
• We value common sense and initiative - our team is encouraged to think creatively, make decisions, and contribute ideas to improve our centre.

• Holds a NZ recognised ECE Diploma or Degree and NZ Teachers Council Certification (we operate within the 100% qualified staff)
• Has Montessori experience/training or interest (an advantage, but not essential - training provided for the right candidate)
• Is friendly, approachable, and confident
• Is reliable, flexible, and comfortable adapting to the needs of the day
• Is enthusiastic, proactive, and genuinely passionate about working with children
• Works collaboratively as a supportive team player with strong initiative
• Recognises and nurtures each child’s unique strengths and supports their independence
• Is confident in assessing children’s learning and development, planning, documentation, communication and implementing curriculum that meets each child’s individual needs
• Communicates clearly, warmly, and professionally
• Values strong relationships with whanau/families
• Enjoys working in a close-knit team where everyone supports each other
• Is available and flexible to cover other staff as needed within our opening hours: 7:45am–4:00pm, Monday to Friday

• Extended Pay Parity
• Teacher Registration Renewal Costs Covered
• Paid First Aid Training
• Minimum $400 Annual Professional Development Budget
• $300 Annual Health & Wellness Reimbursement
• A caring, supportive, collaborative team
• A calm, Montessori-inspired learning environment

The position is part-time, approximately 27.75 hours per week. Hours are rostered term by term based on current enrolment numbers. The anticipated regular roster is:

Friday: 8.45am–1.00pm

PLEASE NOTE: There is potential for the Monday and/or Friday hours to extend to 3.45pm on a term-by-term basis, depending on centre needs. Total regular hours will not exceed 32.25 hours per week. Availability and flexibility to cover other staff outside of these hours as needed within our opening hours: 7:45am–4:00pm, Monday to Friday would be an advantage to support consistent staffing for our children and whanau.

Expected start date: ASAP (negotiable)

As part of our application process, candidates are invited to visit our centre, see our environment in action, and spend some time with our team. This helps you experience who we are, and ensures we’re the right fit for each other.

See our website www.montessorieducare.co.nz for more details about us and our centre.

To apply, please email your CV along with a short blurb about why you’d be a great addition to our Montessori Educare whanau.