Early Years Childminder 6 views0 applications

Location: Sankoré International School, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
Reports to: Head of Early Years
Start date: [Insert start date]

About Sankoré International School

Sankoré International School is a new, mission-driven school being established by SHOFCO in Nairobi. Opening in 2026, Sankoré will serve early years through primary and expand one grade per year toward full capacity. Sankoré combines an international curriculum with a strong Kenyan identity and a commitment to access, diversity, inclusion, and community-rooted excellence.

The school is designed as a deliberately diverse learning community where students build the skills and strengths of character to create a better world for themselves and all of us. As a founding school, Sankoré requires strong operational systems, reliable infrastructure, and careful stewardship of its youngest learners from the beginning.

Role Overview

The Early Years Childminder will support the daily safety, hygiene, and wellbeing of Sankoré’s youngest learners. Reporting to the Head of Early Years, the Childminder provides dedicated physical care, supports daily classroom rhythms, and helps every child feel secure and valued as they begin their educational journey.

This role embodies the “Siafu” spirit — industrious, humble, and deeply committed to the common good of the learning community. The Childminder maintains an organized, inviting, and safe classroom environment and contributes to the general upkeep of classroom equipment, ensuring a high standard of health and safety throughout the Early Years program.

Core Responsibilities

1. Student Care and Hygiene

• Lead and support toilet training processes with patience and care, helping students develop confidence and independence.
• Manage regular changing and personal hygiene routines, maintaining a clean and dignified environment for all children.
• Ensure the constant safety and supervision of students during all indoor and outdoor activities.
• Monitor student wellbeing throughout the day, responding to physical needs with warmth and professionalism.

2. Classroom Routine Support

• Support the “Strong Start and Close” routines, including morning greetings, circles, and end-of-day reflections.
• Facilitate smooth transitions between learning activities, helping students move through the day with ease.
• Supervise snack and meal times, promoting healthy habits and positive social interactions among students.
• Assist with outdoor play and structured recess, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for play-based learning.

3. Classroom Operations

• Prepare and organize learning materials and resources as directed by the Lead Learning Guide.
• Contribute to the general upkeep of classroom equipment, helping maintain a high standard of health and safety.

4. Reporting, Collaboration, and Professional Standards

• Reporting structure: the Childminder reports directly to the Head of Early Years.
• Active team membership: participate fully in school-wide professional development, staff meetings, and planning sessions related to the assigned grade level.
• Family partnership: support the school’s commitment to strong collaboration with families by participating in progress review meetings as required.
• Professionalism: model positive social interactions, contribute to a safe and nurturing environment, and maintain confidentiality and sound judgment when handling sensitive information about children and families.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• High school diploma.
• Proven experience working with young children in an educational or childcare setting.
• Strong knowledge of early years childcare practices, including hygiene standards, toilet training procedures, and health and safety protocols, combined with a nurturing and patient approach to student care.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for collaborating with teachers, specialists, and families.
• A commitment to fostering student independence and emotional wellbeing.

Preferred

• Certificate or diploma in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.

Core Competencies

• Patience and nurturing care: supports young children through hygiene routines and daily transitions with warmth and consistency.
• Health and safety vigilance: maintains constant awareness of student safety during indoor and outdoor activities.
• Hygiene and routine management: applies strong knowledge of toilet training, changing, and personal-care protocols.
• Collaboration and communication: works closely with Lead Learning Guides, specialists, and families to support each child’s progress.
• Professionalism and discretion: handles sensitive information about children and families with confidentiality and care.
• Adaptability: adjusts smoothly to the rhythms and needs of an Early Years classroom.
• Commitment to mission: embodies the Siafu spirit — industrious, humble, and dedicated to the common good of the learning community.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Students feel safe, secure, and valued throughout their day in the Early Years program.
• Hygiene, toilet training, and personal care routines are handled with consistency, patience, and dignity.
• Classroom rhythms and transitions run smoothly, supporting a calm and predictable culture.
• Learning materials and classroom equipment are well organized, well maintained, and ready for daily use.
• Families experience strong, collaborative communication about their child’s progress.
• The Early Years classroom meets a high standard of health and safety at all times.

Why Join Sankoré?

This is an opportunity to help shape the earliest experiences of a new school’s youngest learners. The Early Years Childminder plays an essential role in creating a nurturing, safe, and organized environment where children build the confidence and security to thrive. The role is hands-on and deeply relational, but it also carries a larger purpose: helping every child begin their educational journey feeling cared for, valued, and ready to grow.