Centre Director

Childcare & Outside School Hours Care (Education & Training)
Government - State (Government & Defence)
The Victorian Government is establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres will offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres will provide high-quality, accessible, and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.
Early Learning Victoria's central office is in the Victorian Department of Education. The central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and will support and oversee centre operations once they open.
Staff in the Early Learning Victoria centres will be part of a new Victorian government-employed early childhood workforce. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.
Early Learning Victoria is committed to Child Safety and the safeguarding of children from harm.
Centre Director - Eaglehawk North Primary School Early Learning Victoria centre (interim name) Salary band - $116,272 - $129,787
A re-location incentive of up to $10,000 may apply to candidates who are required to relocate for this position.
Early Learning Victoria is seeking an experienced Centre Director to lead the new government-owned early learning and childcare centre at Eaglehawk North Primary School. Opening in 2025, this 102-place centre will offer childcare, and Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre-Prep.
The Centre Director is being recruited ahead of the centre's opening to support crucial establishment activity, including staff recruitment, building community relationships, and working with the Early Learning Victoria central team to establish policies and procedures and shape the centre's culture and philosophy.
Role PurposeBased in the Eaglehawk Early Learning and Childcare Centre (interim name), the Centre Director will oversee the daily operations of the centre, ensuring compliance with regulations and organisational policies and procedures. This role will also lead recruitment, staff development, and enrolment management, with assistance from the Early Learning Victoria central team.
CapabilitiesAdministration - Leads day-to-day operations of the centre including staffing, child enrolment, budgeting and expenditure, stakeholder management and centre related communications.
Compliance and Child Safety - Ensures the centre is compliant with all aspects of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, National Quality Standards, Child Protection and Child Safe Standards, Approved Frameworks and all Early Learning Victoria policies and procedures.
Service Delivery - Oversees 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.
Staff Management - Manages 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.
Personal Attributes - Demonstrates the public sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights.
Flexibility and adaptability - Operates effectively in a flexible and changing environment and manages workload efficiently to meet the centre's needs.
Working Collaboratively - Leads a culture of collaboration within the centre and builds relationships with stakeholders and the community to support operations and maximise impact of the centre.
High Quality Practice - 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.
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 engagement and motivation. Creates opportunities to recognise and celebrate the performance and contributions of the team.
Selection CriteriaCriteria 1: Demonstrates the skills and experience to fulfill the Role Requirements of Administration, Compliance and Child Safety, Service Delivery and Staff Management.
Criteria 2: Personal Attributes - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 3: High Quality Practice - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 4: People Leadership - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Who May ApplyExperience required: · 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)
· Current 'Employee' Working with Children's Check
· Willingness to consent to a Police Check (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria)
· First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications
· Protecting Children - Mandatory Reporting online learning
· Food Handling Certificate and Safe Sleep Training is desirable.
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