About Early Learning Victoria

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.

Location Profile

Assistant Centre Director - Full time position available at Early Learning Victoria Nyernilang Lar (Eaglehawk North)

Salary band - $86,038 - $109,521

Early Learning Victoria is seeking an experienced Assistant Centre Director to lead the new government-owned early learning and childcare centre at Nyernilang Lar located at Eaglehawk North Primary School. Opened in 2025, this 102-place centre offers childcare, and Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre-Prep.

Benefits for working with Early Learning Victoria include:

· Professional Development: Access to sector expertise within the centre to provide career coaching and mentoring. Support and guidance while you further develop your professional skills through formal training.

· Career Progression: A culture of growth and development to support best practice and career development through upskilling opportunities.

· Sector Stewardship: Be part of a leading practice in one of the first ever government owned and run Early Learning Centres. Access to professional development, best practice standards and employment conditions with competitive wages and Victorian public sector standards.

· Inspiring new facilities: Work in brand new purpose-built spaces designed for play-based learning and team collaboration.

· Relocation Assistance: You may be eligible to receive up to $10,000 in relocation support to help with your transition to your new role. Conditions apply.

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.

Key responsibilities

· Work closely and collaboratively with the Centre Director and the Early Learning Victoria central team to prepare the centre for opening in 2025 and establish excellence in early learning and care

· Support the Centre Director to plan and overseeing the delivery of high-quality, sustainable, compliant and safe early learning and care services and programs

· Support the Centre Director to oversee the day-to-day operation of the centre, including staffing and rostering, stakeholder management and centre related communications

· Support the Centre Director in managing all aspects of staffing, including recruitment, rostering, performance, professional development and mentoring, safety and wellbeing and promoting a positive team culture that values diversity and innovation

· Engages with staff on a variety of issues, fostering a collaborative centre dynamic that encourages communication and shared problem-solving

· Assist in the development of the centre educational programs and pedagogical approach

· Exemplify and embody the Early Learning Victoria philosophy and values

· Establish and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including community groups, neighbouring early learning services, other early childhood and family services and local councils

· Create a positive and welcoming experience for families

· Manage all financial, administrative and other operations of the centre

· Develop and implement strategies to maximise enrolments and occupancy

· Ensure all legislative requirements, policies and procedures are met and maintained.

Capabilities

Administration - 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.

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 (NQS), Child Protection and Child Safe Standards, Approved Frameworks and all Early Learning Victoria policies and procedures.

Service Delivery - 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.

Staff Management - Supports the Centre Director with staffing, including recruitment, induction, rostering, performance, training, development, wellbeing, and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. Develops workforce attraction and retention strategies, providing feedback to central office. Engages staff to promote collaboration, communication, and shared problem-solving.

Personal Attributes - Demonstrates the Victorian 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 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.

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: `People Leadership' - please see the Capabilities section above for more.

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 [email protected]

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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

Conditions of Employment

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. We won’t contact applicants before then.

For more about the role or Early Learning Victoria, contact Donna Goetz at [email protected].

We value diversity in all forms and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply. Learn more about working with us, including diversity and employment conditions, on the Department website.

If you need adjustments or accessible formats for the recruitment process, contact us by phone or email.

Applications close 11:59pm on Wednesday 25 June 2025

Who May Apply

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, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications

· Protecting Children Mandatory Reporting online learning