Educators

Joining Us

Whakauru

A home-base educator is someone who works in their own home to provide care and education for tamariki.

Whats in it for you?

Work from home while still being with your tamariki.
Set your own hours and rate – create a work-life balance that suits you and your whanau.
Grow your own business and livelihood.
Opportunities for on-going training.
Competitive reimbursement rates.
Work with low ratios of tamariki.
Run your program following your own teaching philosophy.
Opportunities to attend weekly playgroups, music groups, gyms, and organised group excursions.
Opportunity to develop lifelong friendships for you and your tamariki.

Join our team today!

Does this sound like you?

Enthusiastic and have a genuine interest in supporting children's learning and development.
Have a sense of humour and be warm and approachable.
Reliable, trustworthy, and flexible.
Have positive skills working with tamariki and families.
Self-motivated and have good self-management skills.
Respond positively to suggestions and guidance.
Hold a NZ citizenship, residency, or current NZ work permit, and are over 20 years of age.
Have a suitable home environment both indoors and outdoors.
Can generate your own business through self-promotion and community networks.

Sound good? Enquire Now

How will you be supported?

A comprehensive induction process for new educators.
Support with interviews for potential families.
Regular visits and contact from qualified and experienced Coordinators.
One to one advice and guidance from qualified and experienced Coordinators.
Free high-quality resources and equipment.
Weekly playgroups, music, gym, and outings with other educators.
In person tax support.
Dedicated on-boarding specialist who will guide you through becoming an educator.

How will you be paid?

As an Educator you work as an independent contractor.
Fees are charged for a child’s booked hours plus any additional time they attend.
Fees paid by families will be paid to the educator fortnightly in advance. Subsidies paid by Building Blocks, including WINZ, ECE and Whānau support are paid to the educator 2 weeks in arrears.

What are you required to do?

Hold a current First Aid Certificate – or be willing to attend a course within 3 months of starting with us.
Be involved in on going professional development.
Meet all Ministry of Education health and safety requirements.
Meet all Building Blocks policies/procedures.
Provide resources and a learning programme for tamariki.
Able to record children’s learning with support from your Coordinator.
Be willing to attain your level 4 Early Education Certificate (study to start within 6 months of joining) You will be supported to succeed! Study may be free through us.

Our Guiding Values

Building blocks believes it takes a village to raise a child.

Mā te pā tamaiti e wakatipu

Excellence

Striving for excellence ensures we are not satisfied with mediocrity or complacent in the standards we set for ourselves

Trust

When we are trusting we courageously expect others to act fairly and with integrity

Loyalty

We show loyalty when we support goals, ideas, and outcomes that are mutually beneficial through a shared sense of honesty, trust, and forgiveness

Playfulness

We demonstrate playful qualities when engaged in fun activity and share in the joy of laughter for others

Compassion

We show compassion when we act on feelings of empathy, kindness, and service for the empowerment of others

Initiative

We display initiative by being ready and able to think creatively, solve problems, and take risks

See what our excellent educators have to say about working with us!

I love being an in-home educator, the home away from home teaching environment fills my cup because I am able to cater specifically to the needs of each child in a warm loving environment that's personalized for their well-being and I love that I get to be that person for the tamariki. I love the fact that I can be more hands on and attentive with the 4:1 ratio. What I love most is that I get to be a significant part to each child’s milestones and a part of their whānau as well as them becoming a part of mine. I love the relationships I get to build with tamariki and their whānau.

What makes my position more valuable and more filling for me personally is the amazing support I get from all the staff at Building Blocks. I love being involved in the special activities tailored to our wants and needs and the learning opportunities given to grow as an educator. I love how I'm treated like family and always welcomed, and the support is just amazing.

For the most part what I love about being an educator is what the children teach me every single day. They keep me humbled and keep me open minded and keep me wanting to learn more so I can be better every day!

Ness

I love to challenge little minds and see their enthusiasm to learn. Educating and caring for young children is such a blessing. I find it is very rewarding. Building blocks is a great organization to work for and I feel supported in what I do.

Cushla

I love being able to support the children to grow & the freedom to do activities amongst the community. Every day is a different day, full of smiles and laughter.

Amanda

I love the family vibe. Alongside all your care children's families being valued, your own is also valued. It's great to be a part of an amazing bubbly team who help each other out if needed and make sure every different need is met no matter if your child is more advanced for their age or at a different stage to others. The way they learn is equally as important. We have full support backing us to help plan their goals and interests to fit their own individual personalities and needs. We make your child's home away from home fit especially for them from nurturing babies to teaching them to climb up ready to walk to then running off to school. We have it all covered and any questions are always welcome.

Tabitha

Hi, I have been providing a home base daycare in Feilding for over 30 yrs. I am now caring for babies of the children that were in my care. It is so special, as an educator, to witness the incredible growth and development that a child experiences during their early years. Watching and helping them achieve milestones, develop new skills, and gain confidence is so incredibly fulfilling and worthwhile. I see all the smiles, I hear all the giggles, I am their person they come to if the need a hug and reassurance, and you will be ok.

My daycare is awesome. No job is as rewarding as this one! No company is as supportive and amazing as Building Blocks. Our boss is the most incredible lady I have ever met 💖 The team of admin ladies are professional, dedicated, and save the day often. The team of coordinators are inspirational, supportive, and such a fun group of ladies. I’m so proud and grateful to say Building Blocks are my people.

Marlene

I believe we have to enjoy every day and I will support the children to learn values they can keep forever. Working for building blocks is a real joy and pleasure to be under such a supportive team and environment.

Robyn

As a registered teacher moving to in home from a centre was a big scary jump in my career.

It all sounded too good to be true. Here I am nearly 3 years later still waiting for the catch. It’s not a career anymore, I now do something everyday that I love doing. The one on one time with the tamariki everyday, going on adventures, & exploring new environments within our community, extending tamariki interests & ideas the same day as the interest comes along is something really special.

Being an in home educator with Building Blocks is an amazing chapter of my life, it’s not a 9-5 job, it’s a supportive community. The families & coordinators I have met have all become a part of my home & my children’s lives. The growing & learning I see everyday within my in home children & my own daughter who goes to another Building Blocks educator, shows that Building Blocks really does support quality early learnings.

Michaela

Police Vetting

Under the Children’s Act 2014 every person who works at or with Building Blocks must be police vetted before they are appointed. A police vet must be done before the person has unsupervised access to tamariki. It must be renewed every 3 years.

What is a police vet?

A police vet is a search of the police database for information held about a person. It is not a complete background check, but it is an important part of the recruitment process.

A police vet gives information on criminal convictions, including the date of any convictions, the offence, the location of the court and the sentence received. The information is released under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004. A police vet might also include information about the person’s other dealings with the police, for instance as a victim or complainant. A police vet doesn’t include minor traffic infringements.

Who needs to be vetted?

Every person who is going to work, or is working, for Building Blocks must be vetted. This includes contractors and volunteers who are likely to have unsupervised access to tamariki.

This also includes any regular visitors to the home and any person over the age of 17 years who resides at the property.

It is a requirement for original documents to be sighted by Building Blocks staff.

Educator FAQs

Do I need a full driver’s licence?

Yes, you do if you wish to drive with the children in your care.

What are my Tax obligations?

You are responsible for your own tax. You complete a return using a rebate form that reduces your tax bill dramatically (currently by at least $4.30 per hour per child). You will find that most of your income is tax free. Building Blocks will help you with these forms. You are also responsible for paying your ACC levy every year.

How much do I charge for care?

We recommend that your minimum rate is $7.50 per hour per child. If you hold a diploma or degree in education we would encourage you to start at $8.50 or above. You are self-employed so can set your rate.

How do I get paid?

Families pay you directly for the booked hours of care, usually as an automatic payment. Building Blocks pay you ECE 20 hours, Winz subsidies, & Building Blocks whanau subsidy.

Do I need to own my own home?

No, but check with your landlord first.

What do I need to have to be an educator?

A fenced section. Be prepared to get a first aid certificate. Have a level 4 ECE qualification or start study within 6 months (currently this is fully subsidised under UCOL). Complete a police vetting

What about my own children?

Your own preschool children count towards the 4 children ratio, only 2 children can be under 2 years of age.

How many children can I have?

4 under 5/6 years of age, only 2 can be under 2 years of age at any one time.

Your home is the perfect environment to nurture our future learners!