Careers in Kindergarten
Regional kindergarten associations employ teachers, support staff in kindergartens (including people as teacher aides and in administrative roles), as well as administrative staff in association offices. Most associations advertise teacher vacancies in the Education Gazette or, along with non-teaching vacancies, on their websites. Associations have a mix of full time and part-time positions, and short and long term relieving teaching positions.Teacher qualification requirements
To be employed as a kindergarten teacher in a permanent position you must hold a recognised early childhood education teaching qualification and be a registered teacher with full or provisional registration, or registration subject to confirmation. The qualification will be a three year tertiary diploma, or a three or four year degree or its equivalent. If you are unsure about your qualification status, check with the organisation you completed your training programme with or contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for an assessment. If you need further information on teacher registration contact the New Zealand Teachers Council Kindergarten associations provide comprehensive induction programmes for all beginning teachers (provisionally registered teachers) overseen by the professional leadership teams (senior teachers) employed by each association.
Training to be a teacher
There are many providers in New Zealand offering a range of teacher education programmes. Programmes may be campus-based, on-line or in-centre (where you are employed as a staff member while you are studying to become a teacher). In kindergarten, teachers employed in a permanent position will have graduated from a teacher education programme. For more information on providers and programmes, go to TeachNZ
Non-teaching staff
A number of associations employ administrative and cleaning staff and teacher aides to work as part of the kindergarten team. These positions are usually part-time and may be for a fixed term or on a casual basis. Some association offices may also employ finance, property and human resources specialists. Vacancies for these positions will often be on association websites.
Employment conditions
Kindergarten teachers can be covered by the Kindergarten teachers, head teachers, and senior teachers collective agreement 2009 – 2011. Check the copy below to find out whether you would be covered by the agreement, the salary rates, leave entitlements and other employment conditions. Teachers not covered by the collective agreement are covered by an individual employment agreement.
Non-teaching staff employed by associations are most often covered by an individual employment agreement. The agreement is negotiated directly by the employee and employer. There is a collective employment agreement covering association support staff which is currently available to people employed in specific non-teaching positions, such as administrative roles.
Kindergarten associations like all employers are bound by a range of employment legislation including provisions on holidays, parental leave and health and safety. If you want more information about general entitlements as an employee go to the Department of Labour website.
Non-teaching staff employed by associations are most often covered by an individual employment agreement. The agreement is negotiated directly by the employee and employer. There is a collective employment agreement covering association support staff which is currently available to people employed in specific non-teaching positions, such as administrative roles.
Kindergarten associations like all employers are bound by a range of employment legislation including provisions on holidays, parental leave and health and safety. If you want more information about general entitlements as an employee go to the Department of Labour website.
Collective Employment Agreement 2009-2011 (4155 KB)
Individual Employment Agreement 2009 - 2011 (18 KB)
Support staff MECA 2008 - 2010 (122 KB)