North Fitzroy Child Care Co-operative

Lead and support a small, committed team of passionate early childhood educators

Opportunity to make an impact in a small community setting on Wurundjeri land

Above award salary - PCS 2025 Level 6.2 - $104,000 pro rata

Centre Profile:

North Fitzroy Child Care Co-operative (Co-op) is a not-for-profit, community-managed, long day care centre. The centre is registered for 48 places and has been in continuous operation for over 30 years. The centre has been assessed and is currently rated as Meeting in the NQS (National Quality Standard).

As a community-based, parent-managed centre, families are engaged in various activities throughout the year, such as fundraising events, working bees, AGMs etc. Our facilities are owned by and co-maintained with the City of Yarra.

About the role:

Co-op’s unique, stand-alone, not-for-profit model requires a high level of experience and autonomy across a broad range of responsibilities. As the Director, you will be passionate about play-based education that emphasises sustainability, environmental education and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. You will be responsible for the overall management of the service, including the day-to-day operations and leadership of the staff team.

You will lead the service in building effective partnerships, developing organisational culture and pedagogical and curricular development.

You will report to our volunteer parent Board and support our committed and talented team of educators.

In addition to educational leadership, the role has a strong operational focus. This includes ensuring ongoing compliance with staffing ratios and regulatory requirements, overseeing administrative systems and documentation, and implementing processes that support sustainable staffing and governance practices. The successful candidate will be proactive in identifying and addressing systemic challenges and will work closely with the Committee of Management to implement service improvements.

This role will suit someone who thrives in a hands-on, community-centred environment and who is motivated by the opportunity to shape and embed strong operational foundations that will support the Co-op’s continued success.

The role is part-time (64 hours per fortnight) and operates on a rotating roster, balancing early starts and late finishes.

Role description:

Core competencies and outcomes expected will include:

Strong leadership skills and a solid understanding of community building in a childcare setting.

Outstanding, sensitive communication skills and evidence of strategies for personal reflective practice.

Sound knowledge of play-based education that emphasises sustainability, environmental education and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

A proven track record of growing professional, effective and curious educating teams who support continuous improvement.

Knowledge of innovations in Early Childhood Education that can support the professional development of individual staff and the team.

Ability to accurately manage budgets and finances for all operations of Early childhood education centres, including compliance with all regulations, service policies and procedures and relevant funding agreements.

Strong administrative and management skills that ensure appropriate and timely collection of data and records to ensure transparent and accurate reporting to the Committee and all relevant stakeholders.

Strong administrative and communication skills to ensure appropriate and timely collection of data, medical or other records required, and produce reports internally and for external stakeholders.

Demonstrated strength in operational management, including ratio management, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.

Demonstrated leadership skills in implementing ideas to achieve an Exceeding rated centre.

About you:

Proven management experience in an Early Childhood setting.

Degree in Early Childhood from a recognised University (as listed on the approved qualification list by ACECQA), or Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent)

Current First Aid, anaphylaxis and emergency asthma management training, Accredited Child Protection Training

Valid Working with Children Check, Police Check, or equivalent pre-employment checks

Minimum 3 years’ experience in a director role in an Early Childhood Service or Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Nominated Supervisor position

Experience working in, or a strong understanding of, community-managed and not-for-profit early childhood services.

In addition, you will:

Be an empowering, energetic, and visionary leader who can lead North Fitzroy Childcare Co-operative and its team.

Have in-depth knowledge of the National Law and Regulations, the Principles, Practices and Outcomes detailed in the EYLF, VEYLDF, and the NQF Quality Areas, Standards and Elements.

Believe strongly in the value of high-quality early childhood education

Have a strategic, resilient and authentic stakeholder engagement style that intuitively connects with staff, parents and the broader community.

Be confident in balancing on-the-floor presence with the operational and compliance responsibilities of the Director role.

If you don’t match 100% of the criteria please do reach out to speak about the role to see if you’ll be a good fit. Confidential enquiries can be made to Laura on +61 413 857 144.

Candidates’ rights under the Privacy Act will be observed at all times.

Only candidates with valid work rights in Australia can be considered.

To apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]