Head of Preschool

This role is based in Thorndon, Wellington and is a full time, permanent position starting in early February, 2025.

‍

Mō mātou | About Us

Queen Margaret College (QMC) is Wellington’s leading independent school for young women, providing a world class education for girls, which includes a co-educational Pre-school. We are a modern, inclusive, forward-focused school in the heart of our vibrant capital city. We warmly welcome everyone from all religions and backgrounds and we celebrate our inclusive and diverse community.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

A unique and exciting opportunity has opened up at Queen Margaret College to lead our renowned co-educational Preschool.

QMC Preschool seeks a qualified Head of Preschool for a full-time permanent position. Our inner-city Preschool has excellent ratios and a team of qualified kaiako. We value individual children’s unique strengths, interests, and stages of development. We support a holistic approach to children’s learning, combining Te Whāriki and the IB PYP curriculum to create a play-based inquiry programme that also recognises the importance of learning through play. We welcome you to visit our preschool to see if it is the place for you!

- The day-to-day running and management of the Preschool.

- Ensuring compliance with Ministry of Education, Education Review Office, and other licensing authorities' requirements.

- The education and care of children between 3-5 years of age in cooperation with six other Preschool teachers.

- To manage a cooperative team who actively, willingly and positively plan, implement and assess the Preschool curriculum, Te Whariki and the IB PYP.

- To communicate and work cooperatively with all staff and parents.

- To regularly update management and self-review documentation.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

- To establish an orientation programme for new pupils coming into the Preschool.

- To liaise with parents and the preparatory teacher to ensure a smooth transition to school.

To provide a warm, nurturing and respectful environment.

- To directly supervise the children in the programme at all times, ensuring that all activities offered at and away from the Preschool are carried out in a safe, age-appropriate and organised manner.

- To share with parents information about their child's day.

- To involve the parents in the planning of the Preschool programme.

- To provide or arrange for first aid in cases of emergencies.

- To coordinate planning, implement and assess developmentally appropriate activities according to the interests and individual needs of the children in the Preschool.

- To arrange and supervise all routines and interactions.

- To lead regular planning sessions, arrange agenda and newsletters and attend and participate in staff meetings.

- To maintain confidentiality about children, their families, and the Preschool.

- The Head of Preschool shall also be committed to both personal and professional development.

- The Head of Preschool shall demonstrate loyalty to the school at all times and be prepared to contribute to the special character of Queen Margaret College.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

The Pre-school is well resourced, providing 4 non-contact hours, an additional weeks' annual leave, a closedown periods of 2 weeks' at Christmas, ample professional development opportunities and full pay parity.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

If you are an inspired and passionate Kaiako, ready to be part of a preschool where high expectations, risk-taking, and collaboration are the norm, we would love to hear from you.

Please send the complete application form located on your website, your cover letter and resume by clicking ‘apply now’.

‍