- Step straight into a leadership role with full autonomy
- Up to $120k base + super + worker retention payment for the right candidate
- Step into a leadership role at a newly built, cutting-edge 75-place centre where your leadership directly impacts children, staff, and families
- Family-owned, values-driven organisation that respects your expertise and time
Smart Cookies is a proudly family-owned childcare provider with over 11 years of experience, recognised for delivering exceptional early childhood education through genuine relationships, strong community values and a personalised approach to care. Our close-knit team is passionate about creating environments where children thrive, families feel connected, and educators feel genuinely valued and supported.
As we prepare to open our brand-new, architecturally designed 75-place Early Learning Centre in Ermington, we're looking for an experienced and passionate Centre Director who wants the rare opportunity to lead and help establish a new service from the ground up. Child safety will be paramount in every aspect of your leadership, decision-making and practice. This is your chance to shape the culture and direction of the centre from day one, build a strong and engaged team, develop lasting relationships with families, and create a high-quality learning environment that will set the foundation for years to come.
At Smart Cookies, we celebrate our people through initiatives such as Employee of the Month, regular team events, ongoing professional development, and genuine support from an experienced family-led leadership team. We believe exceptional leaders deserve to be recognised, empowered and supported to grow.
Smart Cookies is looking for a full-time Centre Director based in Ermington, NSW. A beautifully designed, brand-new centre, opening in mid/late 2026.
You’ll be fully responsible for day-to-day leadership and operational management of a 75-place centre.
More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Leading daily operations of the service, ensuring compliance and quality standards
- Managing rosters, staff performance, and team engagement
- Handling budgets, reporting, and all financial aspects, including P&L
- Building strong relationships with families and the local community
- Maintaining high standards in safety, care, and regulatory documentation
- Overseeing Assessment & Rating processes and continuous improvement planning
To qualify, you will need a minimum of a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and prior experience as a Centre Director or 2IC. A minimum of 2+ years in a leadership role within early childhood education is essential.
You’ll also hold:
- Current Working With Children Check
- First Aid, CPR, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certifications
- Accredited Child Protection Training Certificate
- National Child Safety Training Certificate
The following will also be highly valued:
- Proven success navigating A&R and compliance standards
- Experience managing small teams in tight-knit environments
- Confidence in rostering, budgeting, and centre administration
You’re a confident and experienced leader who takes pride in creating high-quality learning environments and building strong, supportive teams. You enjoy what you do, lead by example, and genuinely care about helping your educators grow. This role suits someone who thrives in a close-knit setting where their impact is visible every day.
Your experience and leadership will be rewarded with a competitive annual salary of $110,000 – $120,000 + super, plus:
- Worker Retention Payment
- Up to 50% childcare discount (gap fee)
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities
- Genuine autonomy to lead and shape a brand-new service
- Support from an experienced, family-owned leadership team
- Employee recognition programs including Employee of the Month
- Regular team celebrations and social events
- The rare opportunity to build your team, culture and centre operations from the ground up
- Beautiful architecturally designed facilities featuring dedicated outdoor play spaces for every room
Apply Now
If you're looking for an opportunity to lead, inspire and shape a brand-new early learning centre from day one, we'd love to hear from you. Join Smart Cookies as our Centre Director and become part of a family-owned organisation where your ideas are valued, your leadership is recognised, and your career can truly flourish.
Apply now and help create something special for the children, families and community of Ermington.
