English-speaking Playgroup Leader (Freelance)

Nordic Playdates; Hong Kong Island; On-site; HKD 248,000 - 331,000; Part time

Job summary

Nordic Playdates is seeking an enthusiastic Playgroup Leader to join our first HK team on a freelance, part-time basis. Based on two locations (Hong Kong Island and Kowloon), you will run 45‑minute morning playgroup sessions for up to 12 children with a parent or carer present, and collaborate with our Finnish pedagogue.

Training in mid-October leads into sessions starting in November. English fluency is required; Finnish pedagogy knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• At least three years' experience with children under 4 in kindergarten, playgroup or other early-years settings.
• A recognised qualification in early childhood education, such as C(ECE), HD(ECE), BEd(ECE) or an overseas equivalent.
• Interest in how each child develops and the patience to observe before stepping in.
• Curiosity about Finnish pedagogy and openness to a different way of working.
• Confidence leading a room of adults as well as children; parents and helpers join every session.
• Fluent spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Lead 45-minute morning playgroup sessions for groups of up to 12 children, each with a parent or carer taking part, supported by a facilitation assistant.
• Welcome families before each session and talk with them afterwards, so every parent leaves knowing what their child did and why it matters.
• Contribute to written observations of each child's development, working alongside our founder.
• Work with our team on session design on an ongoing basis, and bring your own ideas to it.
• Train in Finnish pedagogy and child wellbeing in Hong Kong with an experienced Finnish pedagogue.
• Work at venues across Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, one venue per day. Sessions run in the mornings, four days a week, including weekends.
• This is a part-time role to begin with; potential continuation beyond December.

Skills

Playgroup leadership

Experience with under-4s

English fluency

Education

Early childhood education qualification (C(ECE)/HD(ECE)/BEd(ECE) or overseas)

Job description

About us

Nordic Playdates is built by the team behind Little Heroes International Kindergarten in Helsinki, Finland, which has operated within the Finnish early childhood system for eight years. We work with families in English, and Mandarin is part of the children's day.

We are now bringing that practice to Hong Kong. Nordic Playdates runs small playgroups for children aged roughly 1 to 3, with a parent or carer in the room throughout, built on Finland's national framework for early childhood education and care.

We are looking for our first Playgroup Leader in Hong Kong: someone who wants to learn Finnish practice from the inside, lead our sessions, and become the person who trains the leaders who join after them.

About the role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Playgroup Leader to join Nordic Playdates on a freelance basis. Based on two locations in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, this role is central to delivering high-quality playgroup experiences that support early childhood development.

Every family sees the same session leader every week. That continuity is at the centre of what we offer, so we are looking for someone who wants to stay with us beyond our first season.

The engagement starts with training in mid-October, and sessions begin in November.

What you'll be doing

• Lead 45-minute morning playgroup sessions for groups of up to 12 children, each with a parent or carer taking part, supported by a facilitation assistant
• Welcome families before each session and talk with them afterwards, so every parent leaves knowing what their child did and why it matters
• Contribute to written observations of each child's development, working alongside our founder
• Work with our team on session design on an ongoing basis, and bring your own ideas to it
• Train in Finnish pedagogy and child wellbeing in Hong Kong with an experienced Finnish pedagogue.
• Work at venues across Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, one venue per day. Sessions run in the mornings, four days a week, including weekends.

Who we are looking for

• At least three years' experience with children under 4, in a kindergarten, playgroup or other early-years setting.
• A recognised qualification in early childhood education, such as C(ECE), HD(ECE), BEd(ECE) or an overseas equivalent
• A real interest in how each child develops as an individual, and the patience to observe before stepping in
• Curiosity about Finnish pedagogy and openness to a different way of working. Prior knowledge is welcome.
• Confidence leading a room of adults as well as children. Parents and domestic helpers join every session.
• A calm, steady presence with children and their families
• Fluent spoken and written English. Sessions run in English.
• Available for training from mid-October, and four mornings a week, including weekends, from November to mid-December .
• The right to work in Hong Kong

What we offer

• Each session is billed as one full hour, covering the welcome, the session and conversations with parents
• Training and any observation writing assigned to you are billed separately at the same rate
• Training in Finnish pedagogy from an experienced Finnish pedagogue
• As we open more groups, the chance to lead the training of the facilitators who join us

This is a part-time role to begin with. We are hiring with the intention that it continues beyond December, and we will confirm the next season with you in early December.