PRINCIPAL — FLEMING PRE-PRIMARY & EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Craighall Park, Johannesburg | Full-time | Commencing January 2027
Fleming Pre-Primary & Early Learning Centre is an established independent pre-primary school in Craighall Park, known for warm, high-quality early childhood education and a close relationship with its families. We are seeking an exceptional Principal to lead the school into its next chapter.
The role:
The Principal holds overall responsibility for the educational quality, daily operation and continued growth of the school. This is a hands-on leadership position: we expect our Principal to be visible in classrooms and among the children, not behind a desk. The successful candidate will lead and develop the teaching team, safeguard the wellbeing of every child, build trusted relationships with parents, and take genuine ownership of the school’s standards and reputation.
Key responsibilities:
Educational leadership — oversee curriculum and teaching quality, ensure developmentally appropriate and stimulating learning experiences, conduct classroom observations and give constructive feedback, monitor children’s development, and keep the school abreast of best practice in early childhood education.
People leadership — lead, mentor and motivate the teaching and support team; manage performance and professional development; create real opportunities for assistant teachers to grow into greater responsibility; recognise good work; and build a collaborative, professional staff culture that values the different strengths and backgrounds our team brings.
Children, wellbeing and safeguarding — ensure child-protection procedures are understood and followed, maintain supervision, health, hygiene and safety standards, manage developmental or behavioural concerns appropriately, and oversee emergency, accident and illness procedures.
Parents and community — make clear, consistent and timely communication a priority across the school; handle parent concerns professionally and fairly; lead tours, open days and prospective-family engagement; and communicate the school’s philosophy and offering with confidence.
Operations and stewardship — oversee the smooth daily running of the school, facilities and resources; coordinate events, outings and programmes; implement policies and regulatory requirements; work within agreed budgets and use resources efficiently; and contribute to the school’s long-term strategy, sustainability and reputation.
Requirements:
- A recognised qualification in Early Childhood Development or Foundation Phase teaching;
- Current SACE registration and a valid police clearance;
- Substantial teaching experience in a pre-primary or Foundation Phase setting, with demonstrated leadership or management experience;
- Sound understanding of ECD regulatory, safeguarding and health and safety requirements;
- Strong administrative capability — the school has excellent administrative support, and the Principal is expected to carry their share rather than devolve it;
- Remedial experience or qualification will be a significant advantage; our senior teachers have found this invaluable when supporting children with developmental needs.
The person we are looking for:
A confident, warm and emotionally intelligent leader with genuine presence. Someone who is calm under pressure, decisive, fair and consistent, and who handles sensitive staff and family matters with absolute discretion. An excellent communicator and relationship-builder with strong conflict-resolution skills. Organised, detail-focused and able to delegate effectively. Solution-oriented rather than problem-focused, open to new ideas, and willing to implement improvements rather than only discuss them. Above all, accountability.
Remuneration:
Market-related and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
To apply:
Email a covering letter, full CV, copies of qualifications, SACE registration and three contactable references to office@flemingpreprimary.co.za by Friday, 30 October 2026.
Applications will be processed in accordance with POPIA. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates; if you have not been contacted within three weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. Fleming Pre-Primary reserves the right not to make an appointment.
ISASA