Qualified ECE Teacher

Willows Early Learning Centre is looking for a warm, capable qualified teacher to join our team full-time while one of our teachers is on maternity leave. This is a fixed-term role from 4/1/27 to 17/12/27, with potential for a permanent position. Beginning teachers are very welcome.

There’s flexibility around which room you work in, depending on your strengths and preferences. Willows has three rooms: Seedlings for under-2s, Saplings for 2 to 3½ year olds, and Willows for preschoolers. Many families stay with us from babyhood through to school, so you’ll build real, lasting relationships with tamariki and whānau.

What makes Willows special is how we staff the centre. Our ratios are well above the minimum: 7 teachers in the nursery, 6 in the toddler room and 5 in preschool. A dedicated float covers breaks, so your room is never short. That means you have time to actually teach, notice and connect, not just supervise.

We genuinely invest in our teachers’ growth. You’ll have access to regular, centre-wide professional development focused on strengthening assessment and teaching practice, and we encourage every teacher to keep learning and building their skills. You’ll have experienced colleagues beside you every day and leaders who are on site, not at a head office.

We’re looking for someone who:

• holds an ECE teaching qualification and a current practising certificate
• brings warmth, reliability and initiative
• loves building connections with families
• is committed to Te Whāriki and quality practice

We pay full pay parity rates, and the centre closes for two weeks over Christmas.

Willows is locally owned and tucked away from the main roads in a calm, friendly corner of Cromwell, with the lakes, vineyards and mountains of Central Otago on your doorstep.

You’re welcome to come and see us before you apply.