Early Childhood (Kindergarten & Reception) Assistant
Contract Type: Contract Position Part Time (0.77 FTE)
Applications Close: 7 September 2026
An exciting opportunity exists for a suitably experienced Early Childhood Educator to join the Willunga Waldorf School for the 2027 school year.
<p><strong>About Us</strong></p>
<p>Willunga Waldorf School is a thriving, contemporary, independent K to 12 school nestled in the beautiful Southern Vales of South Australia, close to magnificent coastline and surrounded by vines and almond groves. It is situated on the edge of the rural town ship of Willunga, fifty minutes’ drive from the city of Adelaide. </p>
<p>The School offers a strong, balanced and dynamic educational environment grounded in the values of Goodness, Beauty and Truth. Set on spacious grounds, the School provides a natural, calm and aesthetically rich setting that supports the wellbeing, imagination and healthy development of the children and young people in our care. The environment is intentionally designed to nurture the whole child and to foster a sense of belonging, purpose and connection to community.</p>
<p>The School acknowledges and honours its location on Kaurna Country, recognising the continuing spiritual and cultural relationship that Kaurna Peoples hold with the land. This respect for place and community is woven into school life through seasonal festivals, outdoor education, and a curriculum that encourages reverence for nature and an understanding of ecological responsibility.</p>
<p>The School environment is further strengthened by its community‑centred culture, where relationships between staff, students and families are valued as central to learning. Across all stages, the School environment is characterised by calm, purposeful activity; a strong sense of community; and a commitment to supporting each student’s growth into a capable, responsible and compassionate individual.</p>
<p>In 2024, the school began dual-streaming and embarked on an exciting journey of growth.</p>
<p><strong>About You</strong></p>
<p>The successful applicant will be a committed and nurturing early childhood educator, who possesses a genuine interest and warmth for assisting children in a Waldorf early learning environment. They will be a good observer and listener who enjoys providing support, is able to follow the Lead Teacher’s methodology and direction and possesses excellent interpersonal skills with children. A team player, they will be able to set boundaries with empathy and respect for children, colleagues, and the parent community.</p>
<p><strong>About the Role</strong></p>
<p>This role works together with the Lead Teacher in supporting children to participate fully in the school day. This includes managing the preparation, cooking and clean-up of the daily cooked lunch; working with the principle that children learn through imitation; and supporting the Lead Teacher with the rhythm of the day.</p>
<p><strong>Key Selection Criteria</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Understanding of Steiner/Waldorf education and Rudolf Steiner’s theories of child development, especially as they relate to the first seven years of childhood</li>
<li>Experience working with young children, including neuro-diverse children</li>
<li>Excellent interpersonal skills with young children, parents/guardians and colleagues</li>
<li>Collegiality and ability to work flexibly within a team</li>
<li>Enthusiasm for working in a progressive Waldorf school</li>
<li>A capacity to reflect on, evaluate and improve professional knowledge and practice</li>
<li>Artistic/musical/ handcraft skills</li>
<li>Must have full and unrestricted working rights in Australia</li>
</ul>
<p><i>Applicants must hold a Cert 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care, hold a current “not-prohibited” SA Working with Children Check, and provide/obtain RRHAN-EC, Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting and Child Safety & Protection training certificates before commencement of employment.</i></p>
<p><strong>Terms of Appointment</strong></p>
<p>This is a part-time position comprising an average 33.5 hours per week for 40 weeks (38 school term weeks + 2 non-term weeks). </p>
<p>We offer a fixed-term replacement contract (parental leave cover) commencing 25th January 2027 and concluding 10th December 2027. </p>
<p>Remuneration is based on the current Willunga Waldorf School Enterprise Agreement and includes 6 weeks annual leave.</p>
<p><strong>Applications close at 9am on Monday, 7th September 2026.</strong></p>