If you’re searching for early childhood jobs that offer flexibility, purpose, and the chance to build a career from home, becoming a home-based educator could be the perfect fit. At Kia Ora Kids, we support caring, motivated people to run a professional childcare service from their own home—backed by training, resources, and ongoing guidance.
Whether you’re returning to work, changing careers, or looking for early childhood work that fits around your family life, our home-based educator pathway is designed to help you get started with confidence.
What is a Home-Based Educator Role?
A home-based educator provides quality education and care for young children in your own home. Your home environment is safety checked to meet Ministry of Education health and safety requirements, ensuring it’s a secure and nurturing space for tamariki to learn and grow.
At Kia Ora Kids, our educators are self-employed and contracted to Kia Ora Kids at Home Childcare, with families paying you directly for the childcare you provide. Pay rates may vary based on your qualifications, experience, and the services you offer.
This is one of the most flexible early childhood jobs available—because you can create a workday that suits your lifestyle while making a real difference in children’s early years.
Why Choose Kia Ora Kids for Early Childhood Jobs?
We believe great educators deserve strong support. When you join Kia Ora Kids as a home-based educator, you’re not doing it alone. We provide guidance and practical help to set you up for success.
Training and Qualifications Support
To work as a home-based educator, you’ll need an NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 4). If you’re legally entitled to work in New Zealand, we can support eligible applicants to gain this qualification through a fully online 18-week course at no cost.
You’ll also be expected to complete a first aid course, and we offer support for this too (terms and conditions apply).
If you’re already a registered ECE Teacher, you already meet the Ministry of Education training requirement for home-based educators.
Free Training and a $200 Resource Kit
Getting started shouldn’t feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer:
- One-on-one guidance
- Free training
- A $200 Resource Kit to help you set up your home learning environment (conditions apply)
Ongoing Support from Visiting Teachers
Our team provides continuous support from visiting teachers (conditions apply), helping you with professional development and ensuring you feel confident in your day-to-day practice.
Practical Extras that Help You Grow
Depending on eligibility and conditions, Kia Ora Kids may also offer:
- Free public liability insurance (conditions apply)
- Toy library access for your educator business (conditions apply)
- Marketing support, including flyers and social media templates to help you connect with local families
How Many Children Can You Care For?
To keep care safe and high-quality, there are limits in place. As a home-based educator with Kia Ora Kids, you can care for up to:
- Four children under age five
- Including a maximum of two children under age two
This structure helps maintain a calm environment where children receive the attention and learning support they need.
Family Childcare: Early Childhood Jobs for Whānau
We also support Family Childcare, where you look after related children in your home. For example, grandparents caring for mokopuna may be eligible for a subsidy through Kia Ora Kids (conditions apply). It’s a meaningful way to support whānau while being part of a recognised early childhood education pathway.
What Does the Application Process Look Like?
We make it straightforward to explore whether this early childhood job is right for you. The process typically includes:
- Educator Application
- Educator Contract
- Home Safety Check: Your home is checked to ensure it meets Ministry of Education health and safety requirements.
- Police Safety Check: This helps ensure there is no risk of harm to children in your care.
If you’re legally entitled to work in NZ and ready to take the next step, our team will guide you through each stage.
A Career with Purpose: Real Early Childhood Jobs That Change Lives
Home-based education isn’t just childcare—it’s about supporting early learning, social development, and wellbeing during the most important years of a child’s life.
Many of our educators bring their unique strengths into the learning environment. For example, some create nature-based learning experiences, introduce children to animals and outdoor play, or support early language learning such as Te Reo Māori—helping tamariki build confidence, curiosity, and connection.
Ready to Explore Early Childhood Jobs with Kia Ora Kids?
If you’re looking for early childhood jobs that offer flexibility, training support, and a warm professional community, we’d love to hear from you. Take the next step toward a meaningful career in early childhood education—right from your own home.