Head Teacher (Beststart Baverstock Oaks)

Qjumpers; Auckland; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Pay Parity

Discounted childcare

Subsidised health insurance

Free annual flu vaccinations

Confidential EAP counselling

Leadership programmes

Career pathways and development

$2,000 referral bonus

One additional week of leave after 10 

Job summary

BestStart Baverstock Oaks in Auckland is seeking a warm, collaborative Head Teacher to lead the infant room and guide a teaching team. You will mentor staff, plan play-based learning aligned with Te Whāriki, and maintain strong relationships with pēpi and whānau, ensuring compliant practice.

This is a permanent, full-time role, 40 hours weekly, Monday to Friday. Join a welcoming early childhood environment that values strong partnerships, professional development and leadership growth for

Qualifications

• BEd/Dip Teaching Level 7 (ECE/Primary) and Full Teacher Registration.
• Strong knowledge of Te Whāriki and ECE regulations.
• Passion for infant care with respectful, responsive caregiving.
• Ability to lead, mentor and support a teaching team.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support the infant room teaching team.
• Plan, assess and develop a child-centred, play-based curriculum.
• Foster warm relationships with pēpi, whānau and kaiako.
• Ensure high-quality teaching practices and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Team collaboration

Relationship building

Education

BEd/Dip Teaching Level 7 (ECE/Primary)

Full Teacher Registration

Tools

Te Whāriki

ECE regulations compliance

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a warm, welcoming and down-to-earth Head Teacher to lead our infant room at BestStart Baverstock Oaks.

We’re looking for someone who genuinely loves working with infants and values building strong, trusting relationships with pēpi, whānau and kaiako. You’ll bring an approachable leadership style, great communication skills and a passion for respectful, responsive caregiving.

As Head Teacher, you’ll lead, mentor and support your teaching team, fostering a positive and collaborative environment while championing child-centred, play-based learning and high-quality teaching practice.

This is a permanent, full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a passionate and collaborative leader who understands the unique needs of infants and is committed to creating a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where pēpi can thrive.

You’ll bring:

• A BEd/Dip Teaching Level 7 (ECE/Primary) qualification and Full Teacher Registration
• Strong knowledge of Te Whāriki, ECE regulations and compliance requirements
• A genuine passion for infant care, with a strong understanding of respectful and responsive caregiving
• A commitment to building meaningful, trusting relationships with pēpi, whānau and colleagues
• Confidence in programme planning, assessment and curriculum development
• A child-centred philosophy that values play-based learning and follows children’s interests
• Proven ability to lead, mentor and support a collaborative teaching team
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive partnerships with whānau
• A growth mindset and commitment to reflective practice and continuous improvement

Why Choose BestStart?

At BestStart, we value our teachers and leaders and are committed to supporting you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau.

You’ll have access to:

• Full Pay Parity
• Discounted childcare and access to discounted after-school care in selected locations
• Subsidised health insurance (eligibility criteria apply)
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Confidential EAP counselling
• Leadership programmes for current and aspiring leaders
• Multiple career pathways and ongoing professional development
• $2,000 referral bonus for referring a qualified teacher*
• One additional week of leave after 10 years of service

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re a passionate ECE leader who loves working with infants, values the importance of strong relationships and is ready to inspire a team to deliver exceptional care and learning, we’d love to hear from you.