Job Description

Enjoy the best of both worlds in Te Kauwhata, a welcoming North Waikato community, perfectly positioned between Auckland and Hamilton. With an easy commute, more affordable living, stunning natural surroundings, and a strong sense of community, it's an ideal place to build a rewarding career and lifestyle.

At Busy Bees Te Kauwhata, you'll step into a well-established centre where strong relationships, quality education, and whanaungatanga are at the heart of everything we do.

As Centre Manager, you'll inspire a passionate team, nurture meaningful connections with tamariki and whānau, and build on an already strong foundation. Backed by the support and stability of the Busy Bees Aotearoa network, you'll enjoy full pay parity, discounted childcare, generous non-contact time and leadership committed to helping you succeed.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact while enjoying genuine work-life balance in a welcoming and growing community.

Why Us? | Hei aha mātou? 

• Salary of $101,120 per annum.
• Generous out of ratio allowance to focus on coaching and inspiring the team. 
• Backing from a national support network with a supportive local feel. 
• Access to EAP, a culture of open communication, and a focus on wellbeing. 
• Ongoing professional growth through leadership development courses and mentoring. 
• Discounted childcare fees and free annual flu vaccinations. 

The Opportunity | Te Āheinga 

• Lead the centre performance while building of a strengthening the high-performing team. 
• Deliver quality care and education with a focus on compliance and financial results. 
• Mentor kaiako through Professional Growth Cycles and 1:1 developmental discussion. 
• Implement centre-specific strategic plans and robust internal curriculum evaluations. 
• Manage occupancy, enrolments, and staff rosters to meet agreed targets. 
• Build deep community connections as the visible face and reputation of the centre. 
• Ensure Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundation of a bicultural approach to education. 

About You | Mōu 

• Hold a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or an equivalent NZQA approved qualification and current teacher registration. 
• Bring proven experience in a leadership role within the ECE sector with a passion for coaching and mentoring staff. 
• Possess in-depth knowledge of Te Whāriki, MOE Regulations, Licensing Criteria, and Teaching Council requirements. 
• Experience working with childcare management software and an understanding of enrolments, rosters, and occupancy targets. 
• Committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures Te Reo Māori and tikanga are woven into daily life. 

If you're an experienced Centre Manager who loves the idea of living and working in Te Kauwhata, please apply now! is passionate about fostering strong relationships, building community, and creating a genuine sense of belonging, we would love to connect with you.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and why this opportunity excites you.

Applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Why Work for Busy Bees?

If you’re passionate about early learning, Busy Bees is the place to be. Although we are part of a global organisation, our company was founded by three families looking for better, more enriching childcare. Three decades later, we still keep the same values at heart.

We know that we couldn’t do what we do without the important people in our teams. We invest in our people and work with them to build career pathways that inspire.