JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Childcare Educator

Job Summary: Responsible for supervising, nurturing, and caring for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, prior to their entry into ECE. This role includes welcoming children each day, preparing meals, engaging them in crafts and activities, ensuring proper hygiene, and fostering positive interactions among children.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Childcare and Supervision: Provide nurturing and attentive care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, ensuring their safety and well-being while parents are at work.

• Meal Preparation and Hygiene: Prepare and serve nutritious meals, ensuring children’s hands and mouths are clean before and after meals, and adhere to effective hand-washing techniques for disease and infection control.

• Activity Planning: Organize and implement activities and curricula that promote children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth.

• Basic Care Tasks: Bathe, dress, and feed children, and ensure cleanliness by washing clothes and maintaining a tidy environment.

• Diapering and Supplies: Prepare bottles, change diapers, and ensure children have adequate supplies such as diaper cream and diapers from home.

• Emotional Support: Comfort children when they are distressed, identifying and addressing the cause of their discomfort.

• Parental Communication: Report daily behaviours and activities to parents, schedule conferences to discuss children’s needs, and provide suggestions for home-based activities to support development.

• Volunteer Coordination: Recruit and manage parent volunteers to assist with childcare and participate in administrative decisions and program planning.

• Schedule Management: Prepare and maintain daily and long-term schedules of activities for the children.

• Outdoor Supervision: Supervise children during outdoor play, ensuring safety and selecting age-appropriate activities.

• Administrative Reporting: Prepare and submit monthly reports to the Ministry according to the agreed template.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Holds a valid Police Clearance to work with children.

• Demonstrated experience in quality childcare from newborn infants to primary school age.

• Demonstrated experience in cooking nutritious meals suitable for infants and children.

• Proficient in using Microsoft Office to prepare daily logs and monthly reports for parents and the Ministry.

• Holds a full driver’s license and has access to own transport.

• First Aid Certified.

Languages:

• Fluent in Maori.

About Us:

Takitumu Punanga Reo provides an immersive early childhood education experience that emphasizes Cook Islands Maori language and culture. Our goal is to nurture children's creativity, independence, and cultural identity in a safe and stimulating environment. We seek funding to enhance our resources, particularly for our innovative Mama & Papa Program and culinary initiatives, to support the physical and cognitive development of our children.

Vision and Mission:

Vision

To sustain and enrich Cook Islands Maori language and culture, ensuring the continuity of our Tupunas' way of life.

Mission

To deliver high-quality early childhood education through total immersion in Cook Islands Maori language and culture, fostering a deep sense of identity and belonging in every child.

Values

• Cultural Preservation Committed to preserving and promoting Cook Islands Maori language and cultural practices.

• Care Providing a nurturing and safe environment for children and staff, appreciating diversity and fostering inclusivity.

• Service Offering exceptional service to support families and their children.

• Quality Upholding the highest standards in early childhood education.

• Value Delivering an exceptional educational experience rooted in cultural immersion and identity.

Programs Overview:

Baby Programs:

• Infant Care (6 Weeks - 1 Year)

• Tiny Toddler Programs (1-2 Years)

• Toddler Program (2-3 Years)

• Pre-ECE Programs (3-4 Years)

Special Initiative:

Ui Tupuna Program: The Ui Tupuna Program engages the older community with our children, enriching their learning experiences through authentic interactions in the Maori language. Elders participate in various activities, including:

• Reading books

• Singing songs

• Playing instruments

• Dancing

• Gardening

• Cooking

• Sharing stories and traditions of Cook Islands Maori culture

Participants are remunerated to show our appreciation for their valuable contributions. This program not only enhances the children’s linguistic and cultural skills but also strengthens community bonds.

Location: Pa Ariki Palace, Mata Enua, Turangi, Ngatangiia, Rarotonga

To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications.