ECE Team Leader

Pohutukawa Kindergarten; Auckland; On-site; NZD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Small centre

Family-focused culture

Good teacher/child ratios

Well-resourced environments

Leadership support

Professional growth focus

Job summary

Pohutukawa Kindergarten in Ellerslie, Auckland, NZ, is seeking an experienced Head Teacher/Team Leader to join our small, home-like centre that cares for 36 children. We are owned by a qualified teacher and value warm relationships, a child-led curriculum, and ongoing professional growth.

You will lead a collaborative team, mentor teachers through modelling best practice and intentional teaching, and contribute to documentation and planning with energy, organisation, and a passion for continuous

Qualifications

• Current Teacher Registration and Practising Certificate.
• Minimum 5 years' NZ ECE experience.
• Experience as Head Teacher or Team Leader preferred (1–2 years).
• Ability to mentor and guide teachers through modelling best practice and intentional teaching.
• Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to partnerships with tamariki and whānau and to inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a collaborative, vibrant team.
• Mentor teachers through modelling best practice and intentional teaching.
• Contribute to documentation and individual planning.
• Foster warm relationships and a child-led curriculum.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Organization

Problem-solving

Team leadership

Education

Teacher Registration and Practising Certificate (NZ)

Job description

Education Gazette job alerts, notices and stories are unavailable at the moment. We’re working to restore them. In the meantime, you can read the latest issue of the Education Gazette on Issuu: View the latest issue

About the role

Our home-away-from-home early childhood centre in Ellerslie is licensed for just 36 children and is owned and operated by a qualified teacher. We're small enough to know every child and whānau personally, yet big enough to offer rich learning experiences and plenty of fun.

As our roll continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and talented team leader to join our collaborative, vibrant team. This is an opportunity to contribute to a child-led curriculum enriched through intentional teaching, strong relationships, and responsive support. We pride ourselves on a culture of warmth, professional excellence, and continuous improvement.

What you'll bring

• Current Teacher Registration and Practising Certificate.
• Minimum 5 years' NZ ECE experience.
• Ideally 1-2 years' experience as a Head Teacher or Team Leader.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and guide teachers through modelling best practice and intentional teaching.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving abilities.
• Confidence managing priorities, supporting systems and processes, and contributing to documentation and individual planning.
• High energy, positivity, attention to detail, and a passion for professional growth.
• A commitment to building strong partnerships with tamariki and whānau, fostering curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
• Compassion and advocacy for children with diverse learning needs, guided by respect for self, others, and the environment.

What we offer

• Small, family-focused centre in Ellerslie.
• Excellent teacher-to-child ratios.
• Well-resourced, homely indoor and outdoor environments.
• Supportive leadership and management.
• A fun, stable, experienced team with minimal staff turnover.
• A strong focus on teacher wellbeing, belonging, and professional growth.

Join a well-regarded centre where you'll work alongside an experienced owner/manager and make a genuine difference in the lives of children and families. We'd love to hear from you.