Address- Join a child-focused organisation with a Bush Kindy to the Bay philosophy that prepares children for life!
- Great hourly rate circa $48-$50 + super, and benefits including discount gateways, paid PD, and more!
- Lead our newest centre from stunning Hervey Bay with relocation assistance for your new home!
At Seedlings & Co. we are advocates for nature play and holistic education, through loose-part play and outdoor experiences our philosophy is focused on providing children with the best learning opportunities to prepare them for life. Based on the Finnish concept of “sisu” Seedlings & Co empowers children to develop their inner resilience and determination while making the most of what mother nature has to offer. Our emphasis on the importance of unstructured play in nature fosters a sense of wonder, curiosity, and developing active citizenship through community engagement.
Our curriculum incorporates the Early Years Learning Framework and diverse activities including carpentry, harvesting vegetables and cooking alongside bush kindy. We base our approach on over 15 years of childcare experience, recognising children as natural learners who can master complex skills through exploration. Our program encourages children to explore, engage their senses, and take on challenges, providing a strong foundation for both a wholesome childhood and academic success.
We are committed to lifelong learning and support the professional development of all of our team. Seedlings & Co. also promotes the idea of the third space, to support our staff in the transition from home to work in addition to an EAP program that offers team members support in a range of areas including wellness. We invest in our teams to enable us, together, to make magic.
At our new Eli Waters Centre in Hervey Bay, we promote a child-focused philosophy, offering healthy meals, outdoor play, and connections with the local Indigenous and international community.
Our state-of-the-art purpose-built facility is looking for an experienced Centre Director to support our vibrant and experienced team in a full-time role.
The Opportunity
As our Centre Director, you will lead our experienced Educational Leader, Early Childhood Teachers, and Educators in the successful operations of our Eli Waters Centre. You will report to our Area Manager and connect regularly with our other centre leaders.
You will lead our Bush Kindy and promote nature play throughout our centre and foster a collaborative and positive learning community with the team and wider community. As Centre Manager, you will be supported by a Service Co-ordinator who will assist with administration and an Educational Leader who supports the implementation of the program. You will spend time on the floor, floating between our rooms to check in on our pods and ensure our centre is running smoothly and modelling and supporting high-quality practice.
Open Monday to Friday, 6:30 am-6:30 pm, you will work a scheduled roster within this time, preferably starting at 8:30 am or before, with the flexibility to work from home one morning a week. This 112-place centre is home to an experienced team who share the company's vision and philosophy. It consists of two nursery pods, two toddler pods, a junior kindy and snr kindy pod, and a junior prep and pre-prep pod.
Our strong learning culture is what underpins everything we do, and you will promote this for both our enrolled families and team members.
Trust is an essential part of Seedlings & Co., and you will ensure the culture of trust we have built within our teams and learning community continues to grow and develop.
As our Centre Director, you will help ensure that all of our curriculum meets the EYLQF and Australian National Standards.
Promoting our local Indigenous and international cultures, you will work with our Educational Leader to find opportunities to incorporate parts of local culture into children's learning and network within the wider community.
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is a stunning coastal city in Queensland, Australia. Initially a collection of quiet villages, it has transformed into a bustling city since the 1980s, attracting retirees and holidaymakers. Boasting a holiday atmosphere, modern accommodations, and a range of recreational activities such as whale watching, fishing, and water sports, Hervey Bay offers a vibrant lifestyle.
The city's scenic beauty, including pristine beaches and a diverse marine environment, adds to its charm, as does its proximity to K’Gari Island. With a booming economy, affordable housing, and a focus on the health and education sectors, Hervey Bay is an idyllic and inviting destination for residents. Hervey Bay is also only a three and a half hour drive or 45-minute flight from Brisbane.
About You
You will be an experienced Centre Director, with a passion for bush kindy and nature programs and a promoter of child-led learning. You will have an extensive understanding of compliance in childcare, and be passionate about supporting and upskilling your team.
Being our Centre Director, you will foster a deep sense of trust between our team, caregivers, and children, ensuring every opportunity is a learning opportunity, and that children guide the way.
Being our Centre Director, you will drive a deep trust between all staff, caregivers, and students; ensuring every opportunity is a learning opportunity, and that children guide the way.
You will have:
- Demonstrable experience as a Centre Director in 70+ place centre with at least 3 years’ experience.
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, but experienced candidates with a Diploma of Children's Services may also be considered
- Passion for the philosophy of nature-based play
- Strong communication skills between staff and caregivers
- Belief in child-led learning
- Promoter of lifelong learning and collaborative leadership style
- Strong understanding of compliance and WHS requirements for Childcare Centres
- Looking for longevity with a company.
Benefits
As our Centre Director, you will earn a generous hourly rate circa $48-$50, negotiable dependent on experience, plus super and benefits.
Benefits include:
- Relocation assistance negotiable for the right candidate
- Access to our corporate rewards gateway for 1000’s of discounts and EAP support.
- Strong induction, buddy and mentoring system to set you up for success
- Four professional development days per year, including wellness-based PD
When you join Seedlings & Co., you will be part of a family-owned business that supports and grows our staff. With our organisation only growing, there are opportunities for the right candidate to grow with us.
Ready to Apply?
Are you looking for a Centre Director role where you can support child-led learning in a nature kindy? Click Apply Now!
