0.545 Kaiako – Frankton

Frankton Kindergarten offers a truly inspiring place to teach, nestled at the base of The Remarkables with sweeping views across the Kawarau River and Lake Wakatipu. This purpose-built, light-filled kindergarten is designed to spark curiosity, with spacious indoor learning areas and expansive outdoor environments—including a large, covered deck and natural “big backyard”, that invite children (and kaiako) to explore, create and connect with the unique alpine landscape every day. With a diverse group of tamariki aged two to five, strong links with whānau and local schools, and a philosophy grounded in relationships and child-led learning, Frankton is a vibrant, community-focused environment where meaningful teaching thrives.

As part of Kidsfirst Kindergartens, you’ll be joining a respected, not-for-profit organisation with over 110 years of heritage and a strong commitment to quality early childhood education. Kidsfirst offers the benefits of a connected professional network, including guidance from experienced Professional Leaders, a fully qualified teaching workforce, and high quality, ongoing professional development to support your growth at every stage of your career. In addition, we offer pay parity with the primary sector, ensuring your skills and qualifications are valued, and this position is an excellent opportunity for a provisionally certificated kaiako to build confidence within a supportive, collaborative team.

Start Date/Hours of Work 

Ideally applicant will be available beginning of term 3, 20 July 2026 or as soon as possible there after.

This position is  21 hours 49 minutes each week, worked as follows:

Contact hours:

11.30am – 2.30pm Monday – Friday

With an additional 6 hours and 49 minutes professional time each week.

Job Description and Person Specification 

Job Description and Person Specification – .545 Kaiako Frankton

When applying for the position, the application form below will ask you to describe your overall suitability for the position, focusing on the first 4 key attributes from the job description and person specification. For this position, the 4 key attributes are; 

1. An intentional teacher, with an excellent working knowledge of Te Whāriki, who can demonstrate a strong understanding of and the ability to contribute to, assessment and planning supporting positive learning outcomes for tamariki.
2. A kaiako that demonstrates professionalism through calm responsiveness, a strong sense of team responsibility and works collaboratively with a commitment to maintaining a positive, inclusive and consistent learning culture
3. A kaiako who is creative, reflective and flexible in their approach who shows enthusiasm, initiative, is responsive to new pedagogy and has an ability to work within a collaborative teaching team which has a shared leadership approach.
4. Experience with a team based internal evaluation process that critiques current practices, gathers information and ideas from a broad range of sources and effects change that results in improved learning outcomes for tamariki.

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Remuneration 

The terms and conditions, including base salary, for this position is set by the relevant collective agreement. The base salary for trained and registered teachers will range from $62,862.00 to $105,686 per annum, pro rata,  depending on applicant’s qualifications and experience. 

Individuals actual base salary will be established by a salary assessment once a role is confirmed. Please refer to the Remuneration section of the FAQs on our website for more information. 

Apply Now

Please complete the below Head Teacher/Teacher Application Form prior to the closing date of 4.00pm Monday, 6th July at 4.00pm.

Please note: All referee reports must also be completed and submitted prior to the closing date. 

Applications will be assessed and processed as they are received.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Hold a current practicing certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa
• Have a level 7 or higher teaching qualification endorsed in Early Childhood Education or Primary (or have had your international qualifications assessed by NZQA to meet this requirement)
• Must be living in and legally entitled to work in New Zealand – NZ / Aust Citizenship, NZ Permanent Residency or Open Work Visa. Please do not apply if you are out of NZ or if seeking visa sponsorship. 
• Have a current first aid certificate or be able to obtain one prior to beginning the role.