Autonomy to lead and manage your own centre, rosters, and team

Competitive hourly rate circa $45 – $55 per hour + Super, plus rewards, recognition, and childcare discount

Family-owned environment that values your well-being and work-life balance

About Smart Cookies

Smart Cookies is a family-owned childcare provider with 11 years of experience, renowned for our personal touch, supportive leadership, and strong community values. With a close-knit team and family-oriented culture, we create an environment where children thrive, families feel connected, and staff are motivated, recognised, and supported.

Our team enjoys a range of initiatives that celebrate and reward staff, including the Wheel of Delight, Employee of the Month, shout-outs, and team events such as a yacht cruise during Vivid. We value flexibility, genuine care for our employees, and opportunities to build meaningful relationships with families and colleagues alike.

If you’re ready to join a passionate, family-run organisation where you’ll have autonomy, training, and the support to succeed, this is the role for you.

About the Opportunity

Smart Cookies is seeking 2x full-time, permanent Centre Directors to lead our Beecroft centre or our brand-new Ermington centre, which is set to open in February 2026.

In this role, you will:

Take charge of the overall operations, ensuring the service runs smoothly, remains compliant, and reflects the warmth and personal touch that sets Smart Cookies apart.

Oversee the financial and administrative aspects of the centre, including managing P&L responsibilities and keeping documentation and action plans up to date.

Guide and motivate the team by creating rosters that balance staff needs, recognising and supporting your educators, and fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and inspired.

Build lasting relationships with families, creating a welcoming environment that reflects our family-owned values.

Play a hands-on role in maintaining quality and compliance on the floor, ensuring the highest standards of care and safety are consistently met.

Enjoy both autonomy and support, with the opportunity to shape a centre that thrives operationally while nurturing the people who make it special.

About You

To qualify, you will need at least a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, with prior leadership experience as a Centre Manager or 2IC. You’ll also hold:

Current Working with Children Check

First Aid certification and CPR

Anaphylaxis and Asthma Management

Accredited Child Protection Training

Our ideal candidate will be:

An enthusiastic, professional leader with a genuine passion for childcare.

Confident in compliance and regulatory requirements.

Demonstrated experience with Assessment & Rating processes

Skilled at balancing administration, financial management, and staff leadership.

Approachable, authentic, and genuinely here to create a positive team culture.

Flexible, organised, and loves to grow with support from senior management.

We want to ensure that you can commute to Beecroft/Ermington comfortably. We care about your well-being and want to ensure this role supports a healthy work-life balance as you grow with our team.

About the Benefits

In return for your skills and passion, Smart Cookies is offering an attractive package, including:

$89,000 - $108,000 salary based on experience + Super

Up to 50% childcare discount for immediate family (on the gap fee)

Rewards & Recognition program (including Wheel of Delight, Employee of the Month, and more)

Relocation support is negotiable for the right candidate (with a 12-month repayment clause)

Ongoing training and support from experienced leaders in a family-owned organisation

If you’re looking for a leadership opportunity where you’ll be supported, trusted, and valued, Smart Cookies is your new centre!