Senior Centre Leader / Centre Manager

Kinda Kapers are a respected, family-owned group of Early Learning Centres with seven locations across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Maitland regions. We have been dedicated to educating and caring for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years for over 30 years.

We are seeking an exceptional, experienced, and highly motivated leader to join our team in a pivotal Senior Centre Leader / Centre Manager role, with a clear and rapid pathway to Centre Director & Nominated Supervisor.

The Opportunity

This role is designed for an educator who has:

A minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education.

A proven track record in a leadership or managerial capacity.

The drive to step up and take on the significant responsibilities of a Centre Director.

The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic, results-driven professional who thrives in collaborative environments, demonstrating exemplary skills in leading and mentoring a team, while maintaining a focus on nurturing young minds. If you are passionate about shaping the future generation and are ready to lead an entire centre with compassion and dedication, this is your next career step.

What You'll Bring

As a Senior Centre Leader / Centre Manager, you will be crucial to the overall success and operation of the centre. Candidates must possess:

An ACECQA approved Diploma or ECT Degree.

A minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education, with significant time in a leadership role.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

An approachable, friendly, caring, and positive nature.

A proven ability to lead, manage, and mentor a team effectively.

A genuine passion for educating and caring for children.

An approved Working with Children’s Check.

First Aid Certificate with Asthma and Anaphylaxis training.

Key Responsibilities (Evolving to Nominated Supervisor)

Your responsibilities will span across staff, centre operations, and educational leadership:

Overseeing the strategic planning, programming, and implementation of all educational and recreational activities across the centre.

Driving strong educational programs by ensuring the delivery of high-quality, engaging, and compliant curricula across all age groups.

Managing daily centre operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining overall hygiene and safety standards.

Demonstrated ability to provide and supervise a child-safe environment, consistently upholding all child protection policies, protocols, and regulatory requirements.

Mentoring and supporting other Educators through goal setting, setting expectations and supporting educators to achieve.

Fostering strong relationships and effective communication with Educators and Families in the best interest of the children.

Leading staff performance reviews and professional development.

Driving a positive and inclusive team environment.

The Kinda Kapers Employee Package

Join the Kinda Kapers family and receive an outstanding employment package, including:

Premium Remuneration: Highly competitive above-award wages for experienced staff. ECTs and Diplomas with management experience, please contact us for a confidential discussion on salary, depending on your experience.

Substantial Bonuses: Above-award rates are already increased, plus a Worker Retention Bonus of a further +10-15%!

Career Advancement: Opportunities for rapid growth, development, and career advancement toward the Nominated Supervisor role.

Embedded Mentoring Program: Support your leadership development through our program.

Work-Life Balance: Rotational rosters that offer allocated days off.

Significant Childcare Subsidy: Employees working directly with children receive significantly subsidised childcare fees—a further 50% off out-of-pocket costs!

If you are an experienced leader ready for the next phase of your career—one that offers clear progression to Centre Director—we invite you to join our dynamic team.

Please apply through SEEK with your resume and a comprehensive covering letter.