JOB DESCRIPTION and PERSON SPECIFICATION

DATE: February 2017

POSITION:Teacher(Full time)

SERVICE:NiuEarly Learning Centre

ADDRESS:221WoodhamRoad

Linwood North

Phone:03 3898462

CURRENT OPERATING ROLL:Full Day Early Learning Centre (9.00am to3.00pm)

Licensed for 50 children (including 10Under 2 yearolds)

Description of and involvement in the community

KidsfirstNiuEarly Learning Centreis a bilingual Tongan service situated on the Linwood North School grounds. In July 2016 the centrebecamepart of theKidsfirstorganisation. Thepriorityof the service is to maintain the unique character andpreservingtheTonganculture,languageand identitywhilst providing quality early childhood education and care.Children attend the centre from throughout the greater Christchurch area witha pickup service providedforfamilies. The centre has close links with the Tongan community and has an established PTA advisory group that contributes to the ongoing supportof the centre.

The teacher positionincludes27.5hours teaching and12.5hours professional non-contact time per weektotalling 40 hours per week. There is a teaching team of 6 teachers and theHeadTeacher.

Curriculum Emphases

  • Language,identity andcultureat the heartof learning and relationships
  • Appreciation of the spirituality of the Tongan culture
  • Celebrating and extending oral language
  • Competent and capable learners who are actively involved in decision making, problem solving and taking responsibility.
  • Responding and extending children’s thinking through inquiry teaching and a pedagogy of listening
  • Education for Environmental Sustainability and Place Based Education will have a strong emphasis

Programme Priorities

  • Developing a sense of belonging for children andwhānau
  • Providing a caring, nurturing and theoretically informed programme for infants and toddlers
  • Promoting a calm, respectful, peaceful environment and programme
  • Supporting children’s developing understanding of social competence
  • BuildingkaupapaMāori perspectives into the programme
  • Enhancing the learning environment through critical thought, wonderment and inquiry
  • Thoughtful planning and regular assessment ‘for’ learning

JOB DESCRIPTION

Curriculum and teaching requirements

The successful applicant will be an intentional teacher who;

  • Demonstrates understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of Te Whāriki
  • Participates in ongoing and appropriate professional development that informs and is reflected in their practice
  • Participates in both child and teacher initiated sustained, shared teaching episodes to extend children’s thinking and value their contribution to the learning experience
  • Is committed to their own understanding as a Treaty partner as demonstrated through professional growth and practice
  • Has a commitment to and awareness of the principles of inclusion. This is evident in and integrated within their professional practice
  • Uses robust pedagogical documentation to support assessment, planning for learningand self review

Relationships with children

The successful applicant will;

  • Value and respond to family/whānau aspirations for their children
  • Value and respond to the social and cultural worlds and ways of learning of all children
  • Provide feedback to children that acknowledges their effort and success
  • Establish relationships and connections underpinned by kaupapa Māori /Māori pedagogy
  • Be available to children so that they can revisit and share their learning with others

Community requirements

The successful applicant will;

  • Have strong, responsive, reciprocal and respectful relationships with families, supporting children’s sense of belonging
  • Articulate and share the rationale for curriculum decisions with the kindergarten’s community of learners
  • Transitions are supported by effective partnerships between family/whānau, services and schools
  • Promote and encourage active participation, involvement and decision-making by the kindergarten community in all aspects of the teaching and learning programme and self-review
  • Play an advocacy role to support the child and the family/whānau

Working as part of a teaching team

The successful applicant will;

  • Seek and be responsive to professional feedback
  • Have strong collaborative relationships and professional communication with colleagues
  • Contribute to the team, providing an environment that reflects, and is responsive to the learners, whānau and wider learning community (people, places, and things, over time)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Personal Attributes that would best suit the needs of the kindergarten:

  • The ability to speak Tongan is essential
  • Experience in Pacific language medium services is desirable
  • Proven successful experience in working with infants, toddlers and young children.
  • An ability to work with children across all areas at the centre.
  • Strong knowledge, understanding and ability to establish effective relationships with children and whanau
  • Calm disposition and a strong pedagogy of listening
  • An enthusiastic teacher who is flexible and reflective in their approach and seeks further learning and professional feedback.