AddressKindergarten Improvement Advisor
This is a full-time, ongoing position based in either Benalla or Wodonga.
The Early Childhood Improvement Branch ensures a dedicated team supports early childhood services in Areas. The main purpose of this role is to advise, support and build the capacity of funded kindergarten services to continuously improve service quality, particularly through the implementation of early childhood reforms, subsidised Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and the delivery of Networks and Forums.
The Kindergarten Improvement Advisor will need to draw on experience and knowledge in an early learning context, administration of early childhood services and curriculum delivery. To be successful in this role you should have excellent interpersonal, influencing, and analytical skills. You will possess a strong understanding of quality pedagogical practices and a strong knowledge of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). Group facilitation skills and experience would be an advantage. You will play a lead role in strengthening early childhood service collaboration, which will ultimately support services through a time of significant reform activity, help create a culture of trust and reflection, and improve transitions for children and families between services and into school. Flexibility will be required during periods of surge activity.
The role will advise, support and build the capacity of funded kindergarten services to continuously improve service quality, particularly through the implementation of school readiness funding, subsidised Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, and the introduction and implementation of the Pre-Prep reform which will scale up kindergarten delivery to 30 hours per week in the year before school entry and provide quality pedagogical practices, and influence practices through evidenced-based strategies.
You will need to draw on your experience in an educational context and have a strong understanding of the early childhood education and care system. The role will actively seek to provide high quality opportunities for early childhood professionals to work and learn together, using data to identify and reflect on local issues and problems of practice, developing solutions that will lead to improved outcomes for children.
This role requires leadership skills, well development problem solving and stakeholder management skills. The ability to form strong relationships and networks with early childhood providers is essential. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
The role requires you to consult, liaise with and influence key stakeholders, find innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues, and apply extensive knowledge of the early childhood sector and the local community to inform decisions and advice to stakeholders.
You will oversee quality assurance mechanisms used to monitor early childhood reforms, have a sound understanding of current research and developments in the early childhood sector, plus the ability to identify implications and opportunities.
The work in our area is complex and requires expertise in working with dynamic and diverse communities. We have a high number of children and families experiencing vulnerability which requires a great deal of support from our team to ensure access, participation and inclusion is maintained, not just for attendance but also in quality service provision.
The role of the KIA is a specialised position and requires not only Bachelor of Early Childhood qualifications or equivalent but also needs a person that has had various experience within, either the sector or working for government. As the key component of the role is to advise, support and build capacity of funded kinder programs the applicant needs to have an in-depth understanding of pedagogy and sector knowledge.
For more details regarding this position please see attached position descriptions.
The Department values 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 more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
Applications close (18/06/2024)
