ELC Educator

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to join an established, community focused centre. Your warmth, sense of humour, flexibility, and confidence with learning stories with a commitment to culturally responsive practices will make you a perfect fit in our supportive, collaborative team.

This casual role is based at our Palmerston North Early Learning Centre – a safe, nurturing and welcoming environment to stimulate and develop the natural curiosities of tamariki. 

Educators and Teachers at Barnardos work in partnership with parents and whānau to encourage children’s curiosity, learning and development. As an Educator you contribute to assessment, planning and implementation of a curriculum to infants, toddlers and young children that reflects current approaches to effective teaching and learning. 
  
Key responsibilities

• Help deliver a curriculum aligned to Te Whāriki
• Support planning, implementation and evaluation of a learning programme that is responsive to the strengths and interests of children
• Promote learning opportunities which are inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive
• Document children’s learning and take responsibility for children’s profile books and e-portfolio, as agreed with the Centre Manager.

Skills and experience

• Experience working with children, preferably in an early childhood education team setting
• The ability to use initiative and a commitment to quality practice standards and the principles of Te Whāriki
• Excellent communication skills and a "can-do" attitude
• Enthusiasm and a strong desire to make a difference to tamariki in their early years, while building strong links with their whānau and families

Embody Our Values

• Kotahitanga (Unity): Cultivate a sense of belonging through meaningful relationships with tamariki, colleagues, and the wider community
• Mahi Tōtika (Excellence): Demonstrate unwavering integrity and purpose in all aspects of your work, striving for the highest standards of care
• Kaikōkiritanga (Innovation): Drive positive change with creativity, constantly seeking new and effective ways to support tamariki
• Āta Whakarongo (Active Listening): Let tamariki voices shape your approach, ensuring their perspectives are central to decision-making
• Māiatanga (Empowerment): Nurture growth and unlock potential in Tamariki and colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development

Why Choose Barnardos?

• Continuous Growth: Expand your professional skills across
• Meaningful Impact: Be part of an organisation dedicated to children's wellbeing for over 55 years
• Supportive Team: Join a network of educators committed to quality early learning
• Professional Development: Opportunities to maintain and enhance your teaching registration
• Benefit from discounted childcare at Barnardos Early Learning centers

About Palmerston North ELC
At Palmerston North Early Learning Centre, we offer an enriching and fulfilling environment for dedicated educators. Imagine guiding young minds through our open-plan indoor spaces, nurturing their growth in a setting that feels like a second home. Our centre, with its 50-year legacy in early childhood education, provides a unique opportunity to be part of a longstanding tradition of excellence while embracing modern, sustainable practices.

As an educator here, you'll have the chance to make a lasting impact on children's lives in a centre that truly values environmental stewardship and community connection. You'll be part of our journey towards a Silver Enviro Schools award, instilling in our tamariki a love for nature and sustainable living. From tending our thriving vegetable and herb gardens to harvesting fruit from our community-planted orchard, you'll help children develop a deep appreciation for the natural world.

We value creativity and encourage our teachers to bring innovative ideas to our play-based curriculum. Whether you're cooking nutritious meals with our home-grown produce, guiding children through our natural outdoor space designed to build confidence, or fostering early learning skills in our homely indoor environment, you'll find endless opportunities to nurture young minds.

Our commitment to providing individualized support, guidance, and resources ensures that you can give each child the attention they deserve. With children from 0 to 6 years, you'll experience the joy of supporting diverse developmental stages and watching young personalities blossom.

Join us at Palmerston North Early Learning Centre, where your passion for teaching can truly make a difference. Here, you'll be part of a team dedicated to creating strong foundations for children's futures, all while enjoying a supportive, family-friendly work environment.

Together, we'll help every child shine bright in this special community, continuing our proud tradition of excellence in early childhood education.

About Barnardos Aotearoa 
Barnardos Aotearoa is a children’s charity working with tamariki and whānau to ensure every child in Aotearoa has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their circumstances. Our unique combination of social services, early learning, care services and counselling helpline provides the broadest range of child and whānau-centred services in Aotearoa. 

Each year, we work with more than 30,000 tamariki, rangatahi and whānau across the country. 

Every day at Barnardos, we're making a positive, long-lasting difference in children's lives. As an educator, you'll play a vital role in this mission, bringing your expertise to support children's learning journeys across our centers.

If you would like a copy of the position description, please email [email protected], in your email please quote the ID number: 1665577

Join us in shaping the future of Aotearoa's tamariki – apply your qualifications and experience in meaningful, varied contexts!

We will commence interviews as applications are received.