OVERVIEW

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Early learning centre - Assistant director
Occupation: Early childhood
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1484589

CAPABILITIES

Communication: Utilises effective communication skills to develops and maintain meaningful relationships with staff, families, and children, fostering a supportive and collaborative centre environment. Promotes respectful relationship and conflict resolution.
Personal Attributes: Demonstrates the public sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights.
Flexibility and adaptability: Operates well in a flexible and changing environment and manages workload efficiently to meet the centre’s needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks guidance and direction from senior colleagues when unsure.
Working Collaboratively: Supports a culture of collaboration within the centre and builds effective relationships with stakeholders and the community to maximise impact of the centre.
People Leadership: Holds self and team accountable to public sector values and agreed performance standards. Prioritises staff wellbeing, professional learning and career development. Establishes and implements strategies to enhance staff involvement and motivation, including creating opportunities for meaningful staff engagement on critical centre decisions. Creates opportunities to recognise and celebrate the performance and contributions of the team.

EEO AND OHS COMMITMENT

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED WILL INCLUDE:

• Demonstrated management and leadership experience in early childhood education and care.
• Extensive understanding of Education Care Services National Law and Regulations, the National Quality Framework, Child Safe Standards, Quality Improvement Plan and the Victorian Early Years Learning Development Framework.
• Financial management and administrative experience specific to early childhood education and care.
• Ability to lead and guide teaching teams and competency in all aspects of staff management.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families and communities.
• Experience working with vulnerable children and families.
• Proficiency in relevant administrative systems.

SPECIFIC SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or higher (Bachelor of Education/Teaching (Early Childhood) will be highly regarded)
• Valid `Employee’ Working with Children Check (or full VIT registration)
• Willingness to consent to a National Police Check (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria)
• International Police Check required if resided outside of Australia for 12 months or more during the last 10 years
• First Aid, CPR, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications
• Protecting Children Mandatory Reporting online learning

ROLE PURPOSE

The Assistant Centre Director will work alongside the Centre Director to oversee the daily operations of the centre, ensuring compliance with regulations and organisational policies and procedures. This role will also support staff recruitment and development, and enrolment management, with assistance from the Early Learning Victoria central team.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Committed to providing an environment where children can flourish and thrive, supported by pedagogy and practice that upholds all elements of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations and the National Quality Standards and is guided by the philosophy of Early Learning Victoria.
• Encourages reflective practice where feedback is used constructively to improve teaching and learning experiences. Stays informed about current research and trends to ensure the service delivers high-quality, innovative programs that meet the needs of children and families.
• Ensures the centre is compliant with all aspects of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, National Quality Standards (NQS), Child Protection and Child Safe Standards, Approved Frameworks and all Early Learning Victoria policies and procedures.
• Supports the Centre Director to oversee the day-to-day operations of the centre, including staffing, child enrolment, budgeting and expenditure, stakeholder management and centre related communications.
• Contributes to the implementation of high-quality care and educational programs that support children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Upholds the Early Learning Victoria philosophy and translates this into centre-level values and goals.
• Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with families. Facilitates collaboration with co-located services and schools. Ensures centre alignment with the strategic and operational direction of Early Learning Victoria.
• Supports the Centre Director with all aspects of centre staffing including recruitment, induction, rostering, performance, training, professional development and mentoring, safety and wellbeing and promoting a positive team culture that values diversity and innovation.
• Develops strategies for workforce attraction, retention and development and provides feedback to the central office about opportunities and challenges. Engages with staff on all aspects of operations, fostering a collaborative centre dynamic that encourages communication and shared problem-solving.