Position Objective

The Centre Director will be responsible for the day to day function of the Centre; including staff management, financial functionality, parental/ family partnerships, community relationships and educational programs. The Centre is sponsored by Monash University. The Centre Director reports to the Parent Management Committee.

Organisational Context

Monash Caulfield Child Care Centre is a not for profit, parent committee managed centre, funded by DEECD and DEEWR and sponsored by Monash University. MCCC actively engages and participates in the National Quality Framework, is committed to ongoing reflective practice and quality improvement.

Up to 50 children attend MCCC on a daily basis and are divided into 3 rooms: an Infant room, Binbeal Room (0-2), a toddler room, Waa Room (2-3) and a Kindergarten room, Bunjil Room (3-5). The Bunjil room also combines a 4 year old government funded kindergarten program and a 3 year old group called the Gunnawarra group.

MCCC is committed to providing an early childhood environment that enables high quality care and education with a strong focus on building nurturing and supportive relationships with families, children, educators and the community. 

Key Selection Criteria                                            

• Organisational values as listed in the table below
• Must have at least 3 years proven experience in leading early childhood services and influencing change and improvement.
• Minimum requirement Bachelor of Early Childhood, Master’s Degree or above desirable
• Current Working with Children Check (WWCC) card 
• A working knowledge of the National Quality Standards, the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 
• A sound knowledge of appropriate curriculum frameworks and an ability to support and facilitate the implementation of a high-quality educational program that reflects the diverse nature of the centre, local and wider community, based on the curriculum frameworks 
• A working knowledge and understanding of the developmental needs of children aged 0-5years, including children with additional needs 
• Demonstrated experience and ability to establish warm nurturing and responsive relationships with children, families and team members (a “heart-centred” approach)
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with both children and adults 
• Demonstrated ability to work with families, children and educators in a culturally competent manner 
• Demonstrated experience and skills in service management and staff leadership as well as the ability to work collaboratively with a Committee of Management in a cooperative and flexible manner
• Extensive knowledge of child protection procedures or interest/ ability in leading a Child Safe Organisation
• Highly-developed organisational skills 
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the not for profit sector and financial management

Desirable

• First aid training as prescribed in the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010. 
• Anaphylaxis management training as prescribed Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 
• Food safety, handling and hygiene training (as applicable) 
• Working knowledge of state government funding for kindergarten and data collection on KIM system

MCCC Core Values/ Expected Behavioural Aspects

Respect - Social Justice - Connectedness - Awareness - Inclusive Practise - Love of learning “together”.

Key Result Areas and Accountabilities 

Technical

Oversee and mentor Team leaders and co-educators in the implementation of a high-quality care and education curriculum, considering individual interests, strengths and abilities (QA 1)

Operational

• Oversee and monitor utilisation and waitlist systems
• Complete and support the implementation of yearly individual development plans for self as well as team leaders, co-educators and other staff (QA 7.2.2)
• Advocate, and drive educators to advocate for professionalism and quality early childhood education; advocating for children in their community and ensure learning needs are well represented and transitions are supported to other settings including rooms (QA 5). 
• Assist team leaders to coordinate and manage room/program events.
• Actively utilise the Reflective Journal to engage staff in reflective discussions
• Assist the Assistant Director to apply for Inclusion/ Bi-lingual support, 
• Be an active member in local Network meetings
• Be knowledgeable and support the implementation of Kept me. Providing staff and families with assistance when needed.
• Over-seeing and monitoring educational programs and children’s individual plans 
• Keep up to date with current Research 
• Understand and assist educators to understand the health, safety and care issues relevant to children within a childcare environment and support children’s health needs by providing opportunities to meet children’s need for healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, rest, relaxation, support effective hygiene practices, management of infectious diseases, injuries and illnesses (QA 2 and 3)
• Support team leaders and educators in adequately supervising children at all times, protect the child from harm and any hazard likely to cause injury. Support team leaders and educators to effectively manage incidents and emergencies in consultation with relevant authorities and regulations (QA 2). 
• Embrace the Centre’s Philosophy, values and ways of working considering the Code of Ethics (QA 7)
• And support all educators to be familiar with and comply with all Policies and Procedures (2013) (QA 7.3.5)
• And support all educators to ensure compliance with the Children’s Services Act 1996 and Children’s Services Regulations 2009; Education Care Services National Regulations 2011 and Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
• Be familiar with, comply and drive the implementation of all Policies and Procedures (2013) (QA 7.3.5). Specifically, Educational program and practice.
• Actively engage in Policy development, review and research.
• Assist the Deputy Director to organise staff professional development training and actively assist in planning the annual PD day. 

Financial

• Understand and contribute to the financial plans (budget) and implications for centre, and room/program specific expenses
• Oversee the direction of excursions/ incursions based activities re  budget commitments
• Provide receipts for expenses when requiring reimbursement.
• Support and oversee the team of staff who access professional development and arrange according to the budget allowance (QA7.2)

People, Children  and Self 

• Coordinate collaboration among teams of educators in the implementation of a high-quality developmental care and education curriculum, considering individual interests, strengths and abilities (QA 1 and 4.2.2). 
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement through practice and self-reflection (QA 7.2)
• Attend voluntary staff meetings, in services and professional development
• Contribute to regular team leader’s meetings and Staff meetings to enhance staff development
• Respond with warmth and care to the physical, social and emotional needs of the children (QA 3 and 4) and support all educators to. 
• Develop and maintain respectful and equitable relationships with each child; as well as, support children in building and maintaining sensitive and responsive relationships with each other and adults (QA 5) and support educators to. 
• Develop and maintain respectful and equitable relationships with staff, developing and implementing strategies to promote staff moral (QA4)
• Actively engage in critical reflection on all levels, including self, team leaders, educators, children.
• Conduct One- on- one reflective conversations/ meetings to coach, mentor and support Team leaders and educators to build their knowledge and capacity with National and Victorian Frameworks and NQF
• Contribution to team leaders' and staff meetings in the form of a regular agenda item to engage Team leaders and staff in reflective discussions. 
• Contribute to the Director’s report for Committee meetings. 
• Contribute to centre newsletters and individual educational articles, distributed to families. 
• Organise and conduct Centre tours regularly

Customer Service

• Develop and maintain respectful and equitable relationships with each family, supporting their roles as parents, respecting their values and beliefs about child rearing (QA 6.2) 
• Engage in team collaboration with other organisations, early childcare professionals and services to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing (QA 6)
• Effectively respond to feedback and concerns in a timely fashion
• Actively engage with parents and encourage participation in the Parent Committee.
• Arrange and support monthly committee meetings and prepare all necessary administrative and financial reports.
• Arrange and support the execution of an Annual General Meeting of the Parent’s committee ensuring all necessary documentation is recorded and distributed.

To apply

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