Babies room lead educator:

About the service:

Starfish Early Learning Centre is a well-established organisation of 16 years, with several services across Melbourne. We educate and care for children from 6 weeks through to Kindergarten within our communities. Our service employs people who are committed to Early Childhood Education, have a genuine love for children and who are continually reflecting, learning, and dedicated to continuous improvement.

Statement of our Commitment to Child Safety.

At Starfish ELC, we have a zero tolerance for Child abuse, and believe all children have the right to feel safe, secure and happy.

We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.

We value diversity, equity and inclusion and will not tolerate discriminatory practices or behaviour. We actively work to listen to and empower children.

We have policies and systems in place to protect children from abuse and are committed to regularly training and educating our educators, staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.

We take all allegations of abuse very seriously and respond to them consistently, in line with our policies and procedures.

We are committed to promoting cultural safety of Aboriginal children, cultural safety of children of Cultural and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.

We are committed to critically reflecting on our practices, and collaborating with others to see different perspectives.

“In its planning, decision-making and operations Starfish ELC will

1. Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;

2. Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;

3. Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children

4. Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;

5. Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;

6. Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;

7. Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;

8. Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;

9. Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and

10. Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.”

About the position:

Starfish Reservoir has been open since January 2018 and is located in the quiet streets of Reservoir - close to parks and reserves, but also near the local train station (Ruthven).

Starfish Reservoir is an established service, catering for the very diverse needs of the community, with close connection to their families.

We are seeking a part time (30-37.5 hours per week) Lead Educator who has significant experience working with babies under 18 months, to join our Starfish ELC community working and researching alongside our youngest children. Our educational program is far from traditional, with a culture built on our values of Collaboration, Leadership, Growth, Belonging and Joy. We see children as capable citizens and learn alongside them to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

As a Lead Educator, you will be part of an enthusiastic, dynamic team that aims for innovation in our educational program. This is a great opportunity to join a dedicated, vibrant team and work in a stimulating, friendly, welcoming and rewarding environment.

Starfish is committed to continuous learning and improvement, with access to professional development, mentoring program, bi-monthly workshops and in-house qualification updates such as First Aid and Mandatory Reporting.

The successful candidate will:

Hold a Diploma qualification, or be actively working towards a Diploma qualification

Be committed to the safety and wellbeing of children, following our child safe and child protection policy, and our child safe code of conduct.

Have a current employee Working with Children Check and a current Police Check (no more than 6 months)

Have at least 12 months experience working directly with children under 18 months (this is a must have requirement- candidates without this experience will not be considered)

Demonstrate a keen interest in educating and caring for very young children,

Be looking for a long term professional opportunity within a supportive but challenging environment.

Be able to demonstrate your skills/experience/intellectual curiosity through your documentation.

Be excited by the children's learning, your peer's learning and your own learning.

Be willing to give and receive feedback from peers, leaders, families and children, and critically reflect on your own practice, while assisting those around them to reflect on their practice.

Be willing to try new things and learn from your mistakes

Work collaboratively in a team environment.

Be willing to challenge themselves and work outside your comfort zone to grow and learn.

Be able to work at least 4 days per week, from Monday to Friday, attend out of hours meetings and workshops and be keen to participate in professional development opportunities.

Demonstrate sound working knowledge and understanding of the EYLF (2.0) and NQF.

Have a current First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma certificate

Demonstrate a commitment to community involvement and cultural competence.

Demonstrate a commitment to child safety and wellbeing

As this position requires sound knowledge of how to educate and care for babies under 12 months, only candidates with at least 12 months experience will be considered.

Our team at Starfish are rewarded with above award wages, sufficient resources and planning time, and opportunities for professional learning and growth. We also offer 80% discount off childcare gap fees for all our staff, as well as access to our Employee Assistance Program to maintain educator wellbeing.

Please email applications to [email protected].