Centre manager

Wonder Kids Lower Hutt; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An early childhood education centre in Wellington is seeking a passionate Centre Manager to lead a team of teachers, ensuring compliance with regulations and delivering quality educational programmes. The ideal candidate will hold a Level 7 ECE Degree/Diploma, have strong leadership and communication skills, and a commitment to community values. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape young minds in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Paid first aid

Full pay parity

Discounted childcare fees

Supportive management team

Qualifications

• Current FULL NZ teacher registration.
• Knowledge of ERO and MOE requirements.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Understanding of Te Whāriki.

Responsibilities

• Effective leadership and management of the centre personnel.
• Ensure compliance with licensing criteria and ECE regulations.
• Deliver a high-quality educational programme.
• Mentoring and providing guidance to teachers.

Skills

Outstanding communication

Time management

Leadership

Mentoring

Knowledge of licensing criteria

Passion for quality practice standards

Innovative thinking

Effective problem solving

Education

Level 7 ECE Degree/Diploma or higher

Job description

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and guide a passionate, talented, and hard-working team of teachers? Are you prepared to take the lead in leading a team of your own? We have an amazing opportunity for a person to be a centre manager at Wonder Kids Lower Hutt. We have mixed licenses of 53 children, including 15 unders.

We are looking for a centre manager who will be responsible for the effective leadership and management of personnel employed at the centre, ensure the strategic, operational, and financial objectives of the centre are met, ensure a high-quality educational programme is delivered. You will be doing mentoring and providing guidance to the Kaiako, role-modelling of best practices in ECE as well as ensuring that your centre is compliant to the licensing criteria and ECE regulations.

Why do you want to work for us?

• Paid first aid
• A great team of teachers
• Full pay parity
• Discounted childcare fees if relevant
• We support autonomy, come, and make your mark!
• Very supportive owner and management team that will provide on-going support
• Want more?.... Come and korero with us

What do we need from you?

• Level 7 ECE Degree/Diploma or higher and current FULL NZ teacher registration
• Knowledge of licensing criteria, 2008 Regulations, Code of Ethics, ERO and MOE requirements
• The initiative and passion for quality practice standards
• Outstanding communication and time management skills
• Great leadership and mentoring skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective strategic, programme planning, and internal evaluation
• Commitment to upholding our responsibilities to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Strong understanding of Te Whāriki and any other relevant documents, such as Kōwhiti whakapae
• An understanding of how to maintain and grow occupancy levels
• Innovative thinker and effective problem solver

This position is from the 5th January 2026

How to apply

Please send your CV, and direct enquiries to:

Type: Education & Care Service

Maximum licenced places: 53