Doris Nicholson Kindergarten - Permanent Fulltime Head Teacher

Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens in the Wellington region is seeking an enthusiastic ECE leader to guide a fulltime team. This role focuses on delivering a responsive, localised curriculum reflecting the strengths, interests and aspirations of tamariki, whānau and the wider community, and guiding teaching practice across the service.

You will model te reo Māori and tikanga, strengthen partnerships with whānau and local schools, oversee socio-cultural assessment with noticing, recognising and

Qualifications

• Leadership in implementing a responsive, localised curriculum
• Socio-cultural assessment using noticing, recognising and responding
• Strong partnerships with whānau and community
• Capability in maintaining systems and regulatory obligations
• Models te reo Māori and culturally responsive practice

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership in implementing a responsive, localised curriculum that reflects the strengths, interests, and aspirations of tamariki, whānau, and the community.
• Leads socio-cultural assessment for learning, effectively using noting, recognising, and responding, and guides evaluative practice to improve outcomes.
• Nurtures and sustains strong partnerships with whānau, supporting meaningful participation and engagement in learning journeys.
• Demonstrates confidence in maintaining effective systems and processes to ensure regulatory obligations are met with team involvement.
• Models and strengthens te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and culturally responsive practice across all learning activities.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum knowledge

Partnerships with whānau

Te reo Māori

Job description

• Teaching
• Permanent / Full Time

3/11/2026

AtHe Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens (WMK), we're proud to support136 kindergartensacross the regions ofTaranaki, Whanganui, Central Plateau, Horowhenua, Manawatū, Kāpiti, Porirua, Greater Wellington, Upper Hutt,Wairarapa and Otago. We also offer a uniquehome-based service, Etu Ao, inPoriruaandLevin, with a special focus onPacific families.

We believe thathigh-quality early childhood educationis a powerful force—for children, their whānau, their communities, and for the future ofAotearoa New Zealand. Our vision is to be anational leaderin early childhood education, setting the standard and advocating for excellence and access across the country.

At the heart of everything we do are our values:

• Nurturing the mana of the child- Honouring each child's unique identity and potential


• Kounga | Quality- Striving for excellence in every aspect of our services


• Pono | Integrity- Acting with honesty, respect, and transparency


• Kaitiakitanga | Stewardship and sustainability


• Mahi Tahi | Partnership- Working together with whānau and communities

Today, more than6,000 childrenare part of the Whānau Manaaki kindergarten family, with an additional150 childrenenrolled in ourEtu Aohome-based programme. Together, we're building strong foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

Community Description: Nestled at the north end of Upper Hutt in the Maoribank/Clouston Park community, our kindergarten is a warm and welcoming place where relationships are at the heart of learning. Our inviting, well-resourced environment encourages curiosity, creativity, exploration, and participation, supporting tamariki to lead their own learning through a strong commitment to a child-led curriculum. Kaiako value the unique strengths, interests, and ideas of each child, creating rich learning opportunities that are responsive, authentic, and engaging.

A special feature of our kindergarten is our commitment to te taiao/environment and the belief that meaningful learning happens through connecting with the natural world. We embrace the gifts of Papatūānuku and Ranginui, encouraging tamariki to spend time outdoors, develop a sense of wonder, and care for the environment.

Tamariki also enjoy creating with loose parts, using open-ended resources to design, build, imagine, and problem-solve alongside their peers. Together with our strong partnerships with whānau, local schools, and the wider community, we create a nurturing environment where tamariki feel connected, valued, and inspired to grow as confident, capable learners.

We have 30 children attending for 6 hours each day. You will join our team of 3 other teachers.

This is a fulltime role - Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm

We are looking for an enthusiastic ECE leader who:

• Provides leadership in implementing a responsive, localised curriculum that reflects the strengths, interests, and aspirations of tamariki, whānau, and the community.


• Leads the team with strong knowledge and experience in socio-cultural assessment for learning, effectively using processes such as noticing, recognising, and responding, and is confident in guiding evaluative practice that strengthens outcomes for tamariki.


• Nurtures and sustains strong partnerships with whānau, supporting their meaningful participation and engagement in their child's learning journey and fostering a strong sense of belonging within the kindergarten community.


• Demonstrates confidence and has experience in maintaining effective systems and processes, ensuring the kindergarten meets its operational and regulatory obligations, with the team actively engaged in and contributing to these practices.


• Models and strengthens the use of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and culturally responsive practice across all aspects of the learning programme.

Applications close on: Tuesday, 24th November at 11.00pm