Steiner Kindergarten Teacher

Fossil Bay; Waiheke; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay parity scheme

Collaborative team culture

Job summary

Fossil Bay School & Kindergarten on Waiheke Island seeks a registered Kindergarten Teacher with a Steiner focus and a warm, respectful communication style to join a collaborative team. The role is permanent and full-time, with pay parity reflecting qualifications and experience.

The school provides small class sizes, a nature-rich setting, and mentoring from the Lead Teacher to grow Steiner early childhood practice. Applicants should be passionate about whānau connections and Steiner pedagogy.

Qualifications

• Registered Kindergarten Teacher with an understanding of Steiner education.
• Fully certified or eligible for NZ teacher registration.
• Warm, respectful, and collaborative communication style.
• Commitment to working with whānau and community.
• Interest in nature-based and rhythmical approaches.

Responsibilities

• Integrate anthroposophical understanding into teaching.
• Collaborate with Lead Kindergarten Teacher.
• Plan, deliver, assess Steiner-inspired program aligned with SEANZ and Te Whāriki.
• Maintain a rhythmical, inclusive learning environment.
• Engage in reflective practice and professional development.
• Support school community events and whānau engagement.

Skills

Warmth

Humility

Respectful communication

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Student-centered approach

Education

Early childhood teaching qualification

Registered or eligible for NZ teacher registration

Interest in Steiner education

Job description

We are seeking a Registered Kindergarten Teacher with a understanding of Steiner education and a communication style that combines warmth, humility, and respect for others. This exciting role is perfect for someone passionate about early childhood education, committed to working collaboratively, supporting colleagues, and fostering strong connections with whānau.

This is a permanent and full-time position. We are a member of the extended pay parity scheme, and your pay will reflect your qualifications and experience. While this job description is comprehensive, we understand that the perfect candidate may not meet every requirement — if you feel a strong calling to the role and our kaupapa, we encourage you to apply.

Fossil Bay School & Kindergarten is a small, community-focused Steiner school on Waiheke Island. We offer kindergarten and primary education based on a modern Steiner curriculum, prioritising a screen-free, unhurried approach and small class sizes. Kindness, creativity, and dedicated attention to each child lie at the heart of our work.

Nestled in a beautiful semi-rural setting, just a short walk from Oneroa and two stunning beaches, our school provides a nature-rich environment where children thrive. Grounded in anthroposophy and guided by the rhythms of the seasons, we support learning through creative play, meaningful relationships, and a strong sense of belonging.

We are proud of our warm and collaborative team culture, where fun, mutual support, and professional respect are at the core of our daily work. Staff work closely together, sharing responsibility and joy across both the kindergarten and school.

We are now seeking a full-time registered Kindergarten Teacher

who is early in their teaching career and feels drawn to developing their practice in a Steiner direction. This role is intentionally developmental and offers the opportunity to grow strong foundations in Steiner early childhood education within a supportive and experienced team.

You will work closely alongside our Lead Kindergarten Teacher, receiving practical mentoring, pedagogical guidance, and day-to-day support. Over time, you will gradually take on increasing responsibility as your confidence and skills develop.

We are looking for someone who brings warmth, reliability, and a genuine love for working with young children. A respectful and grounded communication style, a strong work ethic, openness to learning, and alignment with our values are essential. An interest in creative, nature-based, and rhythmical approaches to early childhood education is important.

This is a permanent, full-time position. Applicants must hold (or be eligible for) teacher registration. We are a member of the extended pay parity scheme, and your pay will reflect your qualifications and experience.

2. Key Responsibilities

Teaching & Curriculum

Integrate an anthroposophical understanding of child development into teaching practice

Share responsibility for the care and education of the children in the kindergarten, working closely with the Lead Teacher

Support the planning, delivery, assessment, and ongoing development of a rich Steiner-inspired programme aligned with Steiner Education Aotearoa New Zealand (SEANZ) principles and Te Whāriki, under guidance and mentoring

Contribute to maintaining a rhythmical, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment

Develop understanding and practical application of anthroposophical child development through daily practice, observation, and mentoring support

Participate actively in reflective practice and professional growth in Steiner early childhood education

Collaboration and Administration

Support and role model the special character of Fossil Bay School & Kindergarten by contributing to our cultural and spiritual life and maintaining warm, respectful communication with whānau, guided by the Lead Teacher

Assist with parent evenings and meetings, with increasing involvement over time as confidence and experience grow

Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and supportive team culture

Help organise and participate in festivals, seasonal activities, and community events

Follow kindergarten procedures to ensure operations align with licensing criteria, health and safety requirements, internal policies, and legal obligations

Care for the physical environment and learning materials, ensuring resources are respectfully used and maintained

3. About You

You will thrive in this role if you are:

Early in your teaching career and motivated to develop your practice in a Steiner direction

A qualified early childhood teacher, fully certified or eligible for teacher registration in New Zealand

Genuinely interested or experienced in Steiner education, nature-based learning, and rhythmical early childhood environments

Grounded, thoughtful, and willing to learn — able to work with both humility and growing confidence

A warm and respectful communicator with developing interpersonal skills

Able to build trusting relationships with tamariki, colleagues, and whānau

Open to mentoring, feedback, and ongoing professional and personal development

Comfortable working within a collaborative, collegial framework

Organised and reliable, with solid basic admin and computer skills