An established, privately owned early learning service in Sydney's Sutherland Shire is looking for a strong preschool leader who can take ownership of an established preschool room and, ideally, influence educational practice across the wider service.

This is a role for an experienced Room Leader, Lead Educator or Educational Leader who wants more influence, more flexibility and a credible next step - without disappearing into a purely administrative position.

Application eligibility

This position is open to experienced educators holding an approved Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education. Applicants must have unrestricted Australian working rights, as employer sponsorship is not available. Candidates studying a Graduate Diploma may apply only if they already hold an approved Diploma qualification and meet the role’s experience requirements.

Benefits include

$43-$48 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications

Choice of a compressed four-long-day working week or a five-day week

At least five hours of protected Educational Leader time each week for the combined role

Leadership of a preschool room of approximately twenty to twenty-five children

Diploma-qualified educators and Early Childhood Teachers are both welcome

A close, supportive team and accessible leadership in a privately owned service

Future leadership potential as the organisation develops a second service

About the service

The service has a warm, energetic and genuinely close-knit team that like to make work fun. Educators support one another across rooms, and strong relationships with children and families are central to the way the service operates.

The wider curriculum is play-based and child-led, with generous outdoor time and space for educators to follow children's interests. The preschool program brings more structure and routine as children prepare for school while retaining a strong play-based approach.

The preschool room already includes an Early Childhood Teacher. The successful appointee will therefore be chosen for leadership, initiative and the ability to bring a team together - not simply for holding the grandest qualification in the room.

The role

Your primary responsibility will be leading the preschool room and supporting the educators within it. You will take practical ownership of the room while working closely with the Director, Assistant Director and wider leadership group.

Lead and support the preschool team to deliver high-quality education and care

Create engaging, intentional and play-based learning experiences

Build warm, secure relationships with children and strong partnerships with families

Guide programming, observations, documentation and critical reflection

Maintain strong supervision, routines and regulatory practice

Mentor educators, students and trainees and model the standard you expect

Take initiative, notice what needs doing and create a positive room culture

The Educational Leader opportunity

For the right person, the position will also include Educational Leader responsibilities across the service. You will receive at least five dedicated hours each week to do the work properly.

Mentor and coach educators through regular guidance, feedback and role modelling

Strengthen planning, documentation, observations and meaningful learning experiences

Foster critical reflection, continuous improvement and professional growth

Support implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework

Guide the Quality Improvement Plan and contribute to Assessment and Rating readiness

Help align curriculum and practice with the National Quality Standard and National Regulations

Build educator confidence and capability while protecting a positive team culture

About you

You may already be an experienced Room Leader or Educational Leader, or you may be a strong senior educator ready to take a genuine step into leadership.

A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

At least four years of experience in early childhood education and care, with strong preschool experience preferred

A sound understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standard and National Regulations

Confidence mentoring or supporting educators to improve their practice

Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills

A current New South Wales Working With Children Check

Unrestricted Australian working rights; visa sponsorship is not available

Previous leadership experience will be highly regarded, but it is not essential if you can demonstrate sound judgement, initiative, mentoring capability and genuine readiness to lead.

A role with somewhere to go

This is more than a replacement Room Leader appointment. The combination of room ownership, service-wide influence, protected leadership time and organisational growth creates a credible pathway for an ambitious early childhood professional.

Future progression is not guaranteed, but the planned second service creates genuine potential for the right person to develop toward Assistant Director or Centre Director responsibilities over time.

If you lead by example, enjoy developing other educators and want a role with both responsibility and room to grow, apply now or contact Early Years Talent for a confidential discussion.