Kindergarten - .6 Teacher

• Teaching
• Upper Hutt
• Fixed Term or Temporary

25/5/2026

At He Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens (WMK), we're proud to support over 135 kindergartens across a variety of regions—from Taranaki, Whanganui, Central Plateau, Horowhenua, Manawatū, Kāpiti, Porirua, Greater Wellington, Upper Hutt, Wairarapa and South Otago. We also offer a unique home-based service, Etu Ao, in Porirua and Levin, with a special focus on Pacific families.

We believe that high quality early childhood education is a powerful force—for children, their whānau, their communities, and for the future of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our vision is to be a national leader in early childhood education, setting the standard and advocating for excellence and access across the country.

· 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

· Mahi Tahi - Partnership - Working together with whānau and communities

· Kaitiakitanga - Stewardship and Sustainability

· Pono - Integrity - Acting with honesty, respect, and transparency

Today, more than 6,000 children are part of the Whānau Manaaki kindergarten family, with an additional 150 children enrolled in our Etu Ao home-based programme. Together, we're building strong foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

Community Description

Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten is situated in the Upper Hutt suburb of Elderslea. Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten was named after a respected kindergarten teacher and director who played a key role in establishing a purpose-built kindergarten for the Upper Hutt community.

Our kindergarten offers a spacious outdoor environment with mature trees and an evolving garden that encourages children and whānau to learn about caring for the environment.

The community has quite a number of families with young children, is culturally diverse, and very supportive of the kindergarten. The kindergarten has a close relationship with the local primary school.

We believe children learn best through strong partnerships with families in an inclusive environment that values cultural identity, relationships, and belonging. We provide a rich and engaging programme guided by children's interests, passions, and strengths. Children's learning and development are made visible and celebrated through meaningful displays, online documentation through Story Park, and portfolio books that reflect Tamariki identity, strengths, interests, and learning journeys in partnership with whānau.

We are licensed for 42 children who attend for 6 hours each day. You will join our team of 4 other teachers.

Mon 4hrs (10.30am - 2.30pm)

Tues 5hrs (10.00am - 3.30pm inc 1/2hr unpaid break)

Wed 5hrs (11.00am - 4.30pm inc 1/2hr unpaid break)

Thurs 5hrs (8.00am - 1.30pm inc 1/2hr unpaid break)

Fri 5hrs (8.00am - 1.30pm inc 1/2hr unpaid break)

This is a fixed term position to start June 2026 and will end on the 4 June 2027.

We are looking for an enthusiastic ECE kaiako who:

• Is passionate about teaching and supporting tamariki in their learning and development, is flexible, adaptable, and able to respond to the changing needs of children and the learning environment.
• Is a collaborative team player who is hardworking and supportive of others, open-minded, positive, and brings a good sense of humor to the teaching team.
• Demonstrates sound current knowledge and skills in working with diverse learners and supporting inclusive practice.
• Has an evaluative lens of teaching and learning, assessment for learning and quality improvement
• Builds respectful and responsive relationships with colleagues, whānau, and tamariki, recognising and valuing the strengths and knowledge they bring.

To apply for this teaching position you need to address the key skills or abilities listed above. We ask that you talk about these in your covering letter, giving examples of how you have demonstrated these skills/abilities in previous roles. Please remember to attach your covering letter, resume and other relevant information as listed in the Application Requirements on our website.

Applications close on: Tuesday 9th June at 11:45pm.