Early Learning Area Manager

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. Salary band - $154,865 - $175,025
Area Manager - Early Learning and Childcare Centres - Early Learning Victoria The first four centres to be established are located at Moomba Park Primary School in Fawkner, Murtoa College in Murtoa, Eaglehawk North Primary School in Eaglehawk, and Sunshine Primary School in Sunshine. Opening in 2025, these centres will offer childcare, and Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre-Prep. The incumbent will be based at a primary location of work and may be expected to travel where required.
Role Purpose The Area Manager is responsible for providing oversight and day-to-day operational support for and to Early Learning Victoria (ELV) centres. This includes the establishment of new ELV centres across Victoria in both Metropolitan and Regional areas. This role provides operational management and leadership to Centre Directors and the Centre Leadership teams to ensure high quality programs and operational excellence.
Capabilities Administration: Facilitate coordination and communication between ELV centres and the ELV central office. Offer direction, coaching, and mentorship to Centre Directors and centre leadership teams, fostering excellence in quality care, child development, and education while achieving operational and business objectives. Guide and support Centre Directors in areas including HR management, program and service delivery, compliance, enrolments, stakeholder relationships, finances, and child safety. Oversee and establish area-wide guidance, advice, and communication strategies in consultation with ELV. Provide expert advice on pedagogical practices, collaborating with Centre Directors and centre leadership teams to ensure the highest standards of service delivery and optimal child learning outcomes. Service Delivery: Oversee the implementation of educational programs that support children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, ensuring they are age-appropriate and meet community needs in line with the ELV philosophy. Oversee the centre-led enrolment process, including inquiries, family support, debtors, attendance monitoring, and contribute to marketing strategies that enhance enrolment. Report on service and individual child achievements to ELV, families, and stakeholders. Promote on-site co-located services by facilitating staff-family relationships and maintain strong connections with local schools and the community. Ensure practices at each ELV centre are consistent with and directly informed by ELV policies, including pedagogy based upon the ELV philosophy. Operate as an interface between key functions in the central ELV team and Centre Directors. Support Centre Directors with addressing and resolving family complaints. Oversee centre-based budgets, including revenue, expenditure and forecasting. Work with Centre Directors to maximise occupancy and revenue via local area marketing, enrolments and value add services. Support central office with budget allocation to ELV centres for the effective functioning of the centre (e.g. for fit outs, perishables, etc). Report to Central Office on financial status of the allocated ELV centres and ensure ELV centres operate within approved budget allocations. People Management: Develop and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders, including community groups, agencies, service providers, union representatives, neighbouring early learning services, and other organisations. Foster a culture that aligns with the VPS values of Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. Attend relevant events, consultations, and training programs relevant to Early Childhood Education and Care service delivery. Support Centre Directors to develop and maintain positive relationship between schools and ELCs on school sites. Support Centre Directors to manage relationships with internal Department of Education colleagues including Early Childhood Improvement Branches. Support Centre Directors with guidance on HR matters including recruitment, payroll, people management and workforce strategies. Compliance and child safety: Coordinate, communicate and report to the central ELV team on all regulatory, compliance and child safety matters. Adhere to ELV policies and procedures and the National Quality Framework. Regularly review each the ELV centres' quality improvement plans, and implementation of the Victorian Early Learning and Development Framework. Provide support and guidance through the Assessment and Rating process. Oversee and implement compliance improvement strategies where necessary. Communicate with ELV central team as necessary, to support the most vulnerable children. Ensure all centres in area are child safe and have zero tolerance of child abuse and discrimination. Personal Attributes: Flexibility and adaptability: Works to find new ways to deliver outcomes and operates effectively in a flexible and changing environment. Manages workload efficiently to meet the centre's needs. Models genuine enthusiasm and adaptability for the team.
Working Collaboratively: Fosters a collaborative culture within the service and actively seeks opportunities to engage with external stakeholders. Builds and maintains relationships with various community groups and organisations. Overcomes communication barriers and uses feedback to improve engagement and responsiveness.
Pedagogy and practice: Embraces a forward-thinking approach by seeking innovative methods to enhance learning outcomes. Supports and mentors staff in adopting best practices and evidence-based strategies. Encourages a reflective practice environment, 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 programs that meet the developmental needs of children.
Authentic Relationships: Establishes and maintains relationships with local stakeholders, including community members, school principals and leadership staff, Local Government, Koorie outreach officers, and registered training organisations. Represents ELV at local governance meetings and attends relevant sessions, events, consultations, and programs related to early childhood education and care delivery. Gathers and evaluates community feedback to enhance the ELV's engagement and responsiveness to families and communicates necessary changes to Centre Directors.
Holds self and team accountable to public sector values and agreed performance standards. Supports the achievement of educational and developmental outcomes by proactively addressing and resolving issues. Establishes and implements strategies to enhance staff engagement and motivation. Creates opportunities to recognise and celebrate the performance and contributions of the team.
The incumbent can expect to be allocated duties, not specifically mentioned in this document, but within the capacity, qualifications and experience normally expected from persons occupying positions at this level. The incumbent shall carry out duties in accordance with legislation and governance requirements, policies and procedures, safety principles, staff code of conduct, and Victorian Public Sector Values.
Selection Criteria Criteria 1: Demonstrates the Child Safety and Compliance role requirements.
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: 'Positive Learning Environment' - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
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.
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via
Child Safe Standards Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
Please note, applications will only be reviewed after the job ad close date. We will not be contacting applicants before this time.
The department values 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 more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.
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Who May Apply Experience required: Demonstrated multi-site management and leadership experience in early childhood education and care. Extensive understanding of the National Quality Framework including Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, The Early Years Learning Framework, Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and Child Safe Standards. Demonstrated ability in adhering to compliance requirements within an early childhood education setting. Financial management and administrative experience specific to early childhood education and care. Ability to lead and mentor early learning centre leadership teams and foster a positive work culture. Strong focus in driving the strategic planning and operational management to ensure high standards and performance targets are met and maintained. Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families and communities. Experience working with children and families experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability. Proficiency in relevant administrative systems. Specific Skills/Qualifications required: Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, ACECQA approved. Bachelor of Education/Teaching (Early Childhood) or equivalent desired. Current 'Employee' Working with Children's Check. Willingness to consent to a National 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr