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Kindergarten Principal (m|f|d) - establishment of a new location in Cologne

Köln
Full-time
Permanent employee
4,700 - 5,400 € per month

We are looking for new colleagues to expand our international team:

Shape a new daycare center with us from the very beginning!

For the opening of our new rainbowtrekkers Köln-Weidenpesch location in August 2027, we are looking for a dedicated and visionary Principal who is excited to actively help create and sustainably shape a new place for early childhood education.

During the preparation phase starting around August 2026, you will work in a groupshift at one of our existing locations, receive targeted preparation for your leadership role, and actively contribute to the planning and development of the new center.

Your responsibilities:

  • Supporting and shaping the establishment of a four-group daycare center.

  • Providing professional and organizational leadership to a team of up to 20 employees.

  • Assuming overall responsibility for the care of 60 children and for ensuring high pedagogical quality.

  • Demonstrating strong commitment to the philosophy of rainbowtrekkers and the 10 educational principles of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).

  • Acting as a role model in respectful and appreciative interactions with children, parents, and team members.

  • Building and maintaining a trusting and open partnership with parents.

  • Working closely with the management team of the other centers and at provider level on conceptual and structural matters.

What you should bring with you

  • A recognized qualification as a qualified early childhood educator.

  • At least three years of professional experience in a daycare center.

  • Ideally, leadership experience (as a principal, deputy principal, or group leader) – not mandatory.

  • German and English language skills at a minimum B2 level, with a willingness to further qualify to C1 level in the future.

  • Strong communication and self-reflection skills.

  • A sociable, positive, and creative personality.

  • Interest in modern, forward-looking educational concepts and enjoyment in further developing them in everyday practice.

  • Willingness to work agilely within flat hierarchies and closely with the team.

We offer you an attractive working environment:

  • Work in well-staffed small teams – and yes, we really do have a 100% qualified staff ratio. No wonder the children love us!

  • A multiprofessional, international team! Take a look at what they have to say about rainbowtrekkers here.

  • Transparent salary (comparable to the German public sector pay scale – TVöD), plus a mobility allowance (job ticket or fuel voucher) for a relaxed commute, a company pension scheme, and a small subsidy for Urban Sports Club – so that not only the children, but you as well, are well cared for.

  • Company bike leasing – escape traffic jams and train delays!

  • Up to 34 vacation days, plus Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Carnival Monday (Rosenmontag) off to celebrate.

  • Upgrade your skill level! We offer financial support for language courses and other professional development opportunities.

  • The freedom to shape the new daycare center at the Weidenpesch location with your personal touch.

To be considered for this position, please send your application by April 3, 2026, at the latest.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me in advance. Leonie Schaffrinna, Personalleitung (recruitment@rainbowtrekkers.de, +49-221-466 830-92).

About us

Raised in Germany. Ready for the World.

rainbowtrekkers Kita gGmbH is an independent provider of multilingual early childhood education centers in Cologne. With heart and high quality standards, our team of more than 50 dedicated staff members helps children grow strong roots and open wings. Across three centers, we care for 160 children aged 1 to 6, who spend their days with us full of laughter, curiosity, and—every now and then—colorful finger paint.

The name rainbowtrekkers brings together two ideas that shape our work: “Rainbow” stands for diversity—children, families, and staff from many cultures, languages, and walks of life. “Trekkers” comes from the English word trekking and symbolizes movement and development. We see education as a shared journey on which children explore the world and grow step by step. Sometimes hopping, sometimes dancing, sometimes taking a little detour—but always learning and laughing together. We provide a sense of security, nurture curiosity, and accompany children from their very first discoveries out into the wider world. In our multilingual everyday life, language becomes a key, diversity is a natural part of who we are, and children are empowered for the future.