Raleigh Street Community Children's Centre is a not-for-profit, community-governed early learning service caring for up to 60 children per day across two Thornbury sites. We've been part of this community since 1985 and have been assessed as Exceeding the National Quality Standard across all 7 Quality Areas. Our educators deliver long day care and 3- and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs guided by the EYLF, VEYLDF, and the rights and voices of children and families. Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in everyday program design, not added on the side. Child safety is central to everything we do.
We are looking for an Educational Leader who understands Exceeding practice - a curriculum thinker, mentor, and trusted guide for educators across our 28 Raleigh Street site (long day care and 3-year-old Kindergarten). You'll work alongside the Educational Leader at our 2A Raleigh Street site (4-year-old Kindergarten) to keep our pedagogy coherent across both locations. This is a full-time, off the floor role centred on Educational Leadership, with some Assistant Director responsibilities sharing the week. The Assistant Director side keeps the service running well so the educational work can flourish. Raleigh Street Community Children's Centre is an equal opportunity employer and committed to child safety. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks. WHAT YOU'LL DO AS EDUCATIONAL LEADER * Lead the educational program and practice across our site at 28 Raleigh St, in collaboration with the Educational Leader at our 2A site * Mentor and coach educators at every experience level through observation, feedback, and conversation * Lead Quality Improvement Planning as a live, meaningful practice * Embed evidence-based pedagogy into daily work * Support educators to write meaningful documentation and plan curriculum-rich experiences * Build a culture where reflective practice is the ordinary way of working * Translate NQF, EYLF v2.0, and VEYLDF requirements into practical guidance * Hold the educational vision of the service alongside the Director AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR * Support the Director with day-to-day operational management * Lead staff rostering, ensuring ratios and continuity of care * Administer Xap and other operational systems * Facilitate and minute team meetings; follow up on actions * Step into the Director role during planned and unplanned absences * Support NQF compliance and regulatory requirements * Liaise with families, staff, and the Committee of Management WHAT WE OFFER * Above-award wages (As per the PCS 2025), plus Workforce Retention Payment * 5 weeks of leave per year and 3-week Christmas shutdown * All rooms staffed over ratio, with planning time built into the roster * All PD, leadership programs, and certifications paid for (first aid, asthma, anaphylaxis, flu shot) * A supportive Director and Committee of Management who back the educational vision * Close to High Street Thornbury cafés, public transport, free on-street parking
* Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or higher (essential). A Degree is valued but not required; demonstrated educational leadership experience carries significant weight. * Experience leading educational practice; mentoring, curriculum work, embedding reflective practice * Working knowledge of the NQF, NQS, EYLF v2.0, and VEYLDF, and the ability to translate them for educators at any career stage * Able to name the research and theoretical basis for the practices you champion * A natural mentor; you nurture other educators without taking over * A clear communicator; hard conversations handled kindly; documentation written with care * Proactive, accountable, and reflective by habit * Comfortable with operational work; rostering, scheduling, childcare management software (we use Xap) * Committed to Child Safety in everything you do SELECTION CRITERIA Please include a written response to the following in your application. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered. 1. QUALIFICATIONS AND ECEC CAREER EXPERIENCE Outline your qualifications and your career history in ECEC, particularly any educational leadership, room leadership, or senior educator roles. Describe the size and structure of services you've worked in. 2. EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING Describe a specific example of supporting an educator to meaningfully improve their practice. What did you observe, how did you approach the conversation or support process, and what changed as a result? 3. PEDAGOGY, RESEARCH, AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE Describe an approach or practice you've championed in a previous role. What is the research or theoretical basis for it, how did you introduce it to your team, and how is reflective practice woven into your day-to-day work? 4. OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP, REGULATORY KNOWLEDGE, AND TEAM CULTURE Describe a situation in which your knowledge of the NQF or relevant regulations made a practical difference — or, if you'd prefer, a time you managed a complex operational challenge. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the outcome?
