Newberry House Montessori School announces Pre-Primary Guide vacancy at Spier Campus opening in 2026

Newberry House Montessori School is looking for a dedicated Pre-Primary Montessori Guide for their brand new Spier campus, set to open in 2026, just outside Stellenbosch. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Montessori professional to lead a 3-6 year old environment, delivering authentic Montessori education aligned with AMI standards. If you are passionate about guiding children’s lifelong learning and resonate with Newberry House’s values of authenticity, grace, courtesy, and continuous growth, this could be the perfect role for you to join a forward-thinking school expanding its reach.

Detailed list of the vacancy

• Name of the school: Newberry House Montessori School
• Position: Pre-Primary Montessori Guide (3–6 Years)
• Campus: Spier Campus, located outside Stellenbosch
• Campus Opening Date: 2026
• Age Group: 3-6 year olds
• Working Hours: 07:30 to 15:30
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Deliver authentic 3-6 Montessori education, adhering to AMI standards.
  • Maintain a well-prepared and inviting indoor and outdoor Montessori environment.
  • Facilitate the school’s earth stewardship and Montessori sports programmes.
• Required Qualifications: Recognised Montessori 3-6 Qualification
• Experience: Proven teaching experience with 3-6 year olds within a Montessori setting.
• Compliance: Must have SACE registration and a valid police clearance.
• Montessori Commitment: A deep commitment to continuous growth in understanding and applying authentic Montessori principles.
• Essential Skills: Requires a growth mindset, adaptability, excellent interpersonal, communication, and administrative skills, strong personal preparation, and the ability to cultivate a flourishing learning environment.
• Values Alignment: Candidates must align with Newberry House’s core values of authenticity, grace and courtesy, and lifelong learning.
• Application Process: Submit a one-page cover letter and a résumé via email.
• Application Deadline/Feedback: If you do not hear back within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.
• Confidentiality: Newberry House Montessori School ensures the confidentiality of all applicants in line with POPIA.
• Vacancy Source: You can view this vacancy’s original posting for more details.

Simple summary of the vacancy

Newberry House Montessori School, renowned for offering authentic Montessori and Cambridge International education, is expanding its successful model. Established in 2010 at Lourensford Estate, the school caters to learners from 18 months to 18 years old, fostering real-life learning experiences in a healthy environment. They are thrilled to announce the opening of a second campus at Spier, near Stellenbosch, in 2026.

To prepare for this expansion, Newberry House is actively seeking a passionate Pre-Primary Montessori Guide to lead its inaugural 3-6 year old environment at the new Spier campus. This pivotal role involves delivering genuine Montessori education that strictly follows AMI standards. The successful candidate will also be responsible for maintaining an enriching indoor and outdoor Montessori learning space and facilitating the school’s unique earth stewardship and Montessori sports programmes during the hours of 07:30 to 15:30.

Prospective applicants should hold a recognised Montessori 3-6 Qualification and possess prior teaching experience with children in this age group within a Montessori setting. Essential requirements also include SACE registration, a valid police clearance, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth in Montessori principles. The school is looking for individuals with a growth mindset, adaptability, excellent communication and administrative abilities, and a proven capacity to create an inspiring and flourishing learning environment. Crucially, candidates must embody and align with Newberry House’s core values of authenticity, grace and courtesy, and a dedication to lifelong learning.

How to apply for this post

To be considered for this exciting Pre-Primary Montessori Guide position, please follow these steps carefully:

• Email your application to [email protected].
• Ensure the subject line of your email is precisely: “Spier 3-6 Guide Application”.
• Attach a one-page cover letter that introduces yourself, shares your personal values, and thoughtfully explains how Montessori education effectively prepares children for today’s world. Please note that generic cover letters will not be reviewed.
• Include a comprehensive résumé that clearly highlights how your experience, skills, and abilities meet the requirements outlined for the role. Your résumé must also include contact details for three professional references.
• Be aware that Newberry House Montessori School reserves the right not to fill this vacancy. If you have not received a response within two weeks of your submission, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Questions and answers for a potential candidate

Here are some insights and advice for potential candidates considering this Pre-Primary Montessori Guide role, reflecting common queries and how to stand out:

• Q: What makes a strong cover letter for this role?
  A: A strong cover letter will be highly personal, reflecting your unique values and passionately articulating your understanding of how Montessori education uniquely equips children for the modern world. Avoid generic statements and instead share specific insights and experiences that resonate with Newberry House’s philosophy.
• Q: What specific Montessori qualification is required?
  A: You must possess a “Recognised Montessori 3-6 Qualification.” It is beneficial to specify which organisation (e.g., AMI, AMS) accredited your qualification, as the school mentions alignment with AMI standards.
• Q: How much teaching experience is truly essential?
  A: The vacancy explicitly asks for “Teaching experience working with 3-6 year-olds within a Montessori environment.” While not stating a minimum number of years, demonstrating consistent, impactful experience in this specific age group and methodology will be key.
• Q: What does “SACE registration and valid police clearance” entail?
  A: SACE (South African Council for Educators) registration is mandatory for all educators in South Africa. A valid police clearance ensures suitability to work with children. Ensure both are current and readily available.
• Q: How can I demonstrate my commitment to “continual growth in understanding and applying authentic Montessori principles”?
  A: In your application, highlight any professional development, workshops, or further studies related to Montessori that you have undertaken beyond your initial qualification. Discuss how you actively refine your practice and engage with current Montessori pedagogy.
• Q: What are Newberry House’s core values, and how can I show alignment?
  A: Their core values are authenticity, grace and courtesy, and lifelong learning. In your cover letter and interview, provide examples of how you embody these values in your personal and professional life, particularly within an educational context.
• Q: What does a “growth mindset” mean in this context?
  A: A growth mindset implies an openness to learning, adapting, and embracing challenges as opportunities for development. Demonstrate instances where you’ve learned from setbacks, taken on new challenges, or actively sought to improve your practice.
• Q: What are the unique aspects of Newberry House’s curriculum beyond standard Montessori?
  A: The school mentions facilitating “earth stewardship and Montessori sports programmes.” Show an interest in or experience with integrating environmental education and physical development within the Montessori framework.
• Q: What should I expect regarding the application timeline?
  A: The school states, “If you have not heard from us within two weeks of your submission, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.” This means they likely have a prompt review process, so ensure your application is comprehensive and stands out immediately.
• Q: How important are interpersonal and communication skills?
  A: Given the emphasis on creating a “flourishing learning environment” and working within a school community, excellent interpersonal and communication skills are highly valued. Be prepared to showcase how you effectively communicate with children, parents, and colleagues.
• Q: Where can I find more excellent teaching jobs?
  A: For more opportunities in education, you can always explore more excellent teaching jobs online.

Institution Details:

Newberry House Montessori School

Please note that the school’s website link and physical address for the existing campus were not provided in the vacancy text.