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 part of 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.

Why join us?

Be part of a new Victorian government early childhood workforce with strong career pathways and professional development.

Enjoy a flexible roster, designed to offer flexibility for staff while ensuring continuity of care for children and families.

Access a range of professional development and training opportunities to support career growth. Each year, staff are eligible for two paid professional development days.

A relocation incentive of up to $10,000 will be available for those who relocate more than 100km from their current place of residence to take up this role.

Educational Leader - Early Learning Victoria centre name (Interim Name)

Salary band - $86,037 - $109,521

Early Learning Victoria is establishing a government-owned early learning and childcare centre at Teesdale Primary School. Opening in 2026, this 102-place centre will provide long day care and Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre-Prep.

Role Purpose

The Educational Leader is responsible for leading the centre to provide high quality early childhood education and care by ensuring that staff within the centre work in accordance with the National Quality Standards, approved learning frameworks, the Child Safe Standards and in line with Early Learning Victoria's (ELV's) philosophy and practice guide.

The Educational Leader is an integral part of the centre leadership team, responsible for ensuring the centre delivers on key organisational and local pedagogical priorities and will develop strong educational practices across all programs and partnerships onsite.

The Educational Leader will also oversee the service integration portfolio at the centre and work strategically with community partners and the co-located school (where applicable) to ensure effective and meaningful uptake and utilisation of additional services and to support continuity of learning for children.

Role Requirements:

Compliance and Child Safety: Ensures the centre, educational program and practices are compliant with all aspects of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, National Quality Standards, Child Safe Standards, Approved Frameworks and all Early Learning Victoria policies and procedures.

High Quality Practice: Is committed to providing learning environments where children can flourish and thrive, supported by evidence-informed 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.

Educational Program and Practice: Coaches, mentors and guides staff in the implementation of the educational program in accordance with the ELV educational program policy. Role models’ evidence informed practices to support positive child outcomes and inclusion. Ensures effective documentation of the educational program across the centre supports team and individual reflective practices and the planning cycle. Is cognisant of different strengths, abilities and learning styles for both children and adults so that approaches can be individualised dependant on their needs.

Service Integration and inclusion: Establishes collaborative communities and fosters effective partnerships and inclusion. Engages stakeholders at various levels and from a range of sectors including local government, not-for-profit and community organisations. Leads service integration planning and assists in establishing frameworks, processes and procedures to guide service integration, inclusion and co-location within ELV services.

Experience required will include

Demonstrated experience as an Educational Leader, delivering high-quality play-based educational programs

Minimum 2 years pedagogical leadership experience

Practical knowledge of the Victorian Early Years Learning Development Framework, Child Safe Standards, the Education Care Services National Law and Regulations and the National Quality Framework

Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families and communities

Experience working with vulnerable children and families is desirable

Specific skills/qualifications required

ACECQA approved Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

Early Childhood Teaching Degree (preferred but not required)

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

Applying and further information

Click the Apply button to proceed through the Department of Education’s online recruitment platform, where full Key Selection Criteria and Capabilities will be listed.

Please note, applications will only be reviewed after the job ad close date. We will not be contacting applicants before this time.

For more information about the role and Early Learning Victoria please email any queries to [email protected].

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

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Sunday, 12th October 2025.