A rare opportunity to lead an Exceeding-rated,
60-place early learning service with a full waitlist, a stable
long-term team and deep community roots. This is more than a
leadership role. It is an opportunity to take custodianship of a
service where children are seen as capable contributors, educators
are valued thinkers, and relationships sit at the heart of everyday
practice. Importantly, this is not a turnaround role or a service
in crisis. The foundations are strong, occupancy is secure and the
existing team brings substantial experience and stability. Benefits
Generous above-award salary based on experience Above-ratio
staffing across every room Two-week paid Christmas closure Flexible
work options and time-in-lieu arrangements An off-site staff
retreat complete with planning offices, learning resources and
quiet workspace Experienced and supportive Approved Providers who
value autonomy, thoughtful leadership and sustainable workloads The
opportunity to lead a highly respected Exceeding-rated service with
genuine community trust and long-term stability About the role This
is an invitation to lead a carefully designed and deeply respected
early learning service that has become a pillar of the Cheltenham
community. With a waitlist extending into 2027, the service
operates without a website or active marketing — its reputation and
relationships continue to drive demand organically. You will be
stepping into a service with solid foundations already in place.
Your focus will be on maintaining that standard, supporting and
mentoring a long-tenured team, and contributing thoughtful ideas




that continue strengthening an already high-performing environment.
The leadership approach here is calm, reflective and
relationship-driven rather than reactive or corporate. Educators
are encouraged to think deeply, collaborate openly and build
genuine long-term relationships with children and families. This
role would suit a leader who values both operational stability and
educational integrity — someone confident leading people while also
protecting the culture that makes a service feel emotionally safe
for children, families and educators alike. About the service This
much-loved service has achieved an Exceeding NQS rating across four
consecutive Assessment and Rating cycles through consistency,
strong leadership and long-term investment in both people and
practice. Families value the service's inclusive culture,
commitment to reconciliation and sustainability, and genuine
respect for children's agency and identity. Natural environments,
thoughtful pedagogy and strong educator relationships shape the
rhythm of each day. The team itself is a significant strength of
the service, with several educators having remained for more than
20 years — something increasingly rare within the current early
childhood workforce climate. What we are looking for We are looking




for an experienced and emotionally intelligent leader who brings
calm decision-making, operational confidence and a genuine
commitment to people. You understand how to maintain high standards
without creating unnecessary pressure, and you value relationships
just as highly as compliance and outcomes. You are comfortable
leading experienced educators, supporting team wellbeing and
creating the conditions for long-term stability and high-quality
practice. Most importantly, you understand that exceptional early
childhood leadership is rarely loud — it is steady, thoughtful and
deeply consistent. Requirements ACECQA-approved Early Childhood
qualification (Degree or Diploma) Minimum 3–4 years' experience
leading an early learning service as a Centre Director or Nominated
Supervisor Proven experience supporting NQF compliance, continuous
improvement and people leadership Experience leading or
contributing significantly to Assessment and Rating preparation
Sound operational and financial understanding Strong communication,
organisational and professional leadership skills A values-driven
approach where relationships, people, pedagogy and long-term
sustainability are prioritised together How to apply Apply
confidentially through Early Years Talent — Australia's specialist
recruitment partner for high-quality early childhood services. We
will guide you through every stage of the process and provide
genuine insight into the service, leadership environment and team
culture to help you make an informed decision.

📌 Centre Manager | Exceeding-rated | $110-$140K (Victoria)
🏢 Early Years Talent
📍 Victoria