Cert Iii - Early Childhood Educator

CERT III - Early Childhood Educator

Job ID: 1411134

Education Support Level 1-Range 2
Fixed Term, Full Time (38.0 hours per week)

Contact Name: Serena Zito
Contact Number: 03 8765 0***
School Website: www.dovetoncollege.vic.edu.au

Doveton College is a unique, diverse and vibrant learning community.  It is unlike any other educational setting in Australia.  Located in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Doveton College resides in one of the most disadvantaged metropolitan regions of Australia.  It is the first of ten settings to be developed in association with the Colman Foundation and DET.

In 2009, the Colman Foundation approached the Victorian Government with a desire to become directly involved in the education of young people who come from a background of disadvantage, including high migrant and refugee groups.  The Colman Foundation provided a financial contribution and continues to provide an annual financial contribution to allow for additional services to be provided which are over and above the normal funding regime for the College.  The Foundation has a goal of changing the life opportunities of young people by supporting families and communities access education, health and wrap around services with the school at the centre of the services.

Doveton College is complex in its operation; it seeks to support, foster and develop opportunities for all members of the Doveton Community including children, young people, and adults.  The focus is on providing high quality teaching and learning programs across the 0 – 15 range with additional learning opportunities for parents and the wider community members.  It provides a wide range of wrap-around educational and allied health support for Baby College, Maternal and Child Health services, and Adult Learning opportunities.  Early Learning has been accredited as an ACECQA Centre of Excellence operating a long day setting, with a focus on learning through play in a structured, appealing indoor, outdoor learning environment.

On any week, the College is a vibrant learning hub with 130 children in early learning, 620 students in Foundation to Year 9, 150 involved in play groups, 70 regular volunteers and 150 participants in adult education courses.  Each week students from Foundation to Year 9 participate in the Doveton Engagement and Enrichment Program (DEEP) which operates as an extension to the school day and includes sports, performance, technology and artistic programs.

The community expectation is that the College will provide a safe and secure environment where the individual student can learn and develop to their full potential. In the school setting, high quality teaching and learning is non- negotiable. All staff are expected to commit to driving this agenda by their professionalism and dedication to the Doveton College vision. The Doveton College vision is clear and is based on the belief that every child will succeed. There is a commitment to:

• the potential of each of our children and young people to learn, to achieve and do their best
• empowering all our children and young people to be creative, curious, to explore, and discover - to strive and to excel
• a rigorous and dynamic curricula  to meet the needs and promote the growth of every child and young person
• a strong learning culture and team approach based on the values of respect and tolerance, high achievement and excellence, engagement, participation and leadership
• the belief that learning occurs in partnership with parents and the support of the community

The Early Learning Centre has been accredited twice with an ACECQA Excellence rating.  It comprises three learning environments; a 0-3 year old room, 3 year old kinder room and a 4 year old kinder room. Each room is staffed with high quality educators, and ratios well above the minimum level required under national laws.  A qualified ELC teacher implements a high quality education program for every 3 and 4 year old child, that is based upon the National Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.  Each room runs an indoor/outdoor program taking advantage of the bright airy rooms and the extensive outdoor opportunities that are accessible all year round. 

The ELC is able to access programs in the College such as PMP (Perceptual Motor Program), Music and library.  Administration services are provided to the ELC, enabling the educators to focus on the children in their care and the provision of high quality programs.

SC1 Demonstrated experience, capacity and flexibility to work with children of all age groups within the ELC.

SC2 Demonstrated knowledge of the National Early Years Learning Framework, Victoria Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standards and the capacity to contribute to the ELC Quality Improvement Plan.

SC3  Demonstrated understanding of children’s development and a capacity to use different approaches (such as adult led, child led and guided learning) in interactions with children.

SC4 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with children, families and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

SC5 Ability to maintain a safe learning environment through understanding of appropriate policies and procedures and responsive decision making. 

SC6 Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth.

• The suitable candidate will:
• Hold current First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma certification 
• Hold a current Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Display good written and verbal communication skills together with the confidence to build positive relationships with children, colleagues, parents and families.
• Possess the ability to work professionally as part of a highly motivated and collaborative team.
• Demonstrate a willingness to be involved in all aspects of service delivery
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning through professional development
• Demonstrate a genuine interest and desire to facilitate the best possible outcomes for all children
• Possess a capacity for good judgement and a calm and mature disposition
• Hold the right to work in Australia 
• Possess an excellent understanding of the EYLF and NQF
• Possess an excellent understanding of the Child Safe Standards and committed to upholding the rights of the child. 
• Ensure that the Privacy Act is adhered to and that confidentiality is maintained at all times
• Participate in work plan reviews on a regular basis
• Availability to work all shifts from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• This position will require an additional 228 hours during school holiday periods.

General responsibilities

• To be responsible to the director/educational leader in partnership with the room leader for regularly documenting and analysing individual observational records (anecdotal and learning snapshots) for the children in care.
• To be responsible to the director/educational leader in partnership with the room leader for planning and delivering a developmentally appropriate program for the children in their care through regular contribution to the possible pathways for planning and learning web.
• To actively participate in critical reflection on practice at team meetings (2X per term), within their assigned room (daily) and individually (weekly journal).
• To fulfil the requirements of the position of Nominated Supervisor or a person in day-to-day charge if requested and in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations.
• Act in accordance with the authority delegated by the approved provider (school principal), director/educational leader and operations manager (2IC) in dealing with situations of an urgent nature requiring immediate action, in order for the service to comply with the National Law and Regulations and OHS.
• Assist in ensuring the program operates within the requirements of the Regulations, the Act, the Quality Improvement Plan and policies and procedures of the service.
• Respect the confidentiality of information relating to parents and children and comply with the service’s privacy policy.
• Be responsible for sharing the housekeeping tasks of preparation, hygiene, safety and packing away with other staff related to the program.
• Be actively involved in the development and implementation of the Quality Improvement Plan of the service.
• Work cooperatively with the director/educational leader, operations manager (2IC) and all staff to ensure the service operates in a safe work environment and that employees adhere to all service OHS safety procedures
• Work collaboratively with all staff to ensure adherence with the services 'Risk Assessment and Minimization Plans'
• Other duties as directed by the director/educational leader, operations manager (2IC) and room leader.

Specific responsibilities

Children

• In consultation with the educational leader, room leader, parents, children and other educators, assist with the planning and implementation of a culturally rich and welcoming learning environment.
• Offer learning experiences that are appropriate to the developmental needs and interests of all children including the provision of an accessible and inclusive program for children with a disability.
• In partnership with the director/educational leader and room leader, assist in developing, recording and maintaining, specific records for individual children.
• Actively maintaining daily compliance records such as toileting, sunscreen application, meals and sleep records.
• Assist in the provision of a safe, healthy and welcoming environment.
• Working with all staff to ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times.

Parents/volunteers

• Assist in the orientation of new families to the service
• Support the participation of parents in the program.

Staff

• As part of a team, facilitate effective communication and assist in the day-to-day supervision of relevant staff/volunteers performing duties in the program for which the educator is working.
• Participate in regular performance reviews.
• Ensure Child Safe Standards and mandatory reporting requirements are followed at all times.
• Participate in discussions with relevant Early Childhood support services and other professional services and organisations within the community as required.
• Ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as aprons and disposable gloves are worn in relation to food handling as specified in the NQS to main the health and wellbeing of all members of the service community.
• Attend paid, outside of rostered hour’s team meetings as directed by the director/educational leader.

• A relevant Cert III Qualification in Children’s Services is required for this position.
• First Aid Level 2 Certificate with anaphylaxis training

The Department of Education and Training is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.  The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the Department’s exemplar available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’s Values complement each school’s own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

Please ensure that your application includes:

• a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
• a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
• names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx