Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergarten Teacher (Maternity leave position)

Posted by Little Sophia Kindergarten on 02 Apr 2024

**Organisation**

Little Sophia Kindergarten

**Closing date**

21.04.2024

**Primary role**

Early Childhood Teacher

**Position type**

Full-time

**Location**

Abbotsford

**State**

VIC

**Work Days of the Role**

5

**Hours of Work of the Role**

38

**Description**

**Background** Little Sophia is a not-for-profit, inner city Steiner long day kindergarten. We currently offer a playgroup and an approved kindergarten program within a long day care setting. Little Sophia has two rooms, Dragonfly and Kingfisher, catering for 19 and 20 children respectively each per day. Two qualified ECT’s will lead either room - supported by 2-3 educators each day. **Primary role: The Kindergarten Teacher** This position is for a full-time Kindergarten Teacher (Maternity Leave). The teacher will work (Monday-Friday) 38 hours (inclusive of contact and non
- contact hours) Kindergarten in a Steiner Early Childhood setting is a play-based program that engages the will forces of the child in strong daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms. Imaginative play is alternated with the structured, teacher led activities. The seasonal focus of stories, songs and festivals, practical home and garden tasks, nature walks and time playing outdoors fosters reverence and wonder in the natural world. The teacher creates a beautiful, rich environment, with open ended natural play materials and works through imitation and imagination to engage the children deeply and with focus in their imaginative play. The role of the Kindergarten Teacher within a Steiner Kinder is of deep significance. The teacher must be a model worthy of imitation to all within the room. At all times the Steiner Teacher must demonstrate respect, patience, gentleness, strength, and care for all. The Steiner Teacher’s role is to provide activities and opportunities that help the imagination unfold through play. All children are encouraged to express themselves and their opinions and to undertake experiences that develop self-reliance and self-esteem. The Steiner Teacher’s work and care of the children interweaves with that of their team to create a secure and gentle environment that allows children to explore and learn through play. The teacher leads the educational team in developing the kindergarten program, and in creating the rhythm and structure of the children’s day. Each teacher works collaboratively with their team to develop harmonious experiences and coordinated approaches in their activities. **Nature of the Role** There are several key aspects to the role of Kindergarten Teacher at Little Sophia Kindergarten:

- Teaching practice
- Professional development
- Planning

**The Kindergarten Teacher will**:Teaching Practice**
- Present a high-quality Steiner educational program for children
- Morning circle, known by heart that reflects the children's needs and physical expression
- Blessings, verses, finger plays that link to the season and occasion
- Story, told orally by heart
- Artistic activities that reflect children's developmental stage and/or seasonal experience
- Plan and Implement a kindergarten program that meets both the Steiner early childhood pedagogy and regulations set out in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the National Quality Framework, and make this visible through documentation
- Valuable documentation of child’s learning
- Planning based on children's developmental needs, abilities and interests
- Maintain good communications with parents concerning the progress of their child
- Ensure children and families feel respected and supported
- Employ a variety of effective teaching strategies to successfully implement the kindergarten program and support child development
- Provide critical reflection of their practice and the ongoing self-assessment of strengths, identified issues and goals
- Prepare and lead seasonal festivals, parent meetings and information evenings as required
- Create a respectful, supportive and collaborative environment for staff
- Work cooperatively with the other teachers at Little Sophia Kindergarten using a collegiate team approach, to share knowledge, experiences and the running and planning of the Kindergarten Programs
- Hold responsibility whist equally working collaboratively to resolve issues that arise within the kindergarten
- Lead the Kingfisher room with all of its staff, providing educational leadership while working as a member of a collaborative teaching team with educators, teachers and office staff

**Professional Development**
- Have a commitment to learning and personal professional development
- Attend appropriate seminars and courses and professional development sessions
- Mentor, guide and encourage student teachers, and volunteers
- Maintain relationships with professional associations
- Participate in the Professional Reflection and Review processes at Little Soph