Join Our Team

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Educational Leader to join our early childhood education team.

This is an exciting chance for a dedicated early childhood teacher who is confident working in a fast-paced environment, has demonstrated experience working in a leadership capacity, and is deeply committed to progressive, child-led approaches to early childhood education.

About Our Approach

We are a nature play site and are proud of the unique learning environment and educational philosophy we are continuing to develop. We are also proud to be rolling out our 3- and 4-year-old preschool program, creating an exciting opportunity to further strengthen our curriculum, pedagogy and educational practice across the service.

We are looking for an Educational Leader who understands the importance of this work and can contribute meaningfully to the development and implementation of our preschool program. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the educational needs of 3- and 4-year-old children and be able to support educators in delivering a high-quality program that is developmentally appropriate, engaging and responsive to children's interests and capabilities.

Our relationship with nature is central to our educational philosophy. We are looking for an Educational Leader who has a genuine and personal interest in nature play and nature-based pedagogy and understands how natural environments can support children's learning, development, creativity, wellbeing and connection to the world around them.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of and personal alignment with:

• Nature play and nature-based pedagogy

• Play space pedagogy and the role environments play in supporting children's learning

• Slow pedagogy, allowing children time, space and freedom to explore, investigate and develop their ideas

• The Reggio Emilia approach, including the image of the child, children's agency, relationships, the environment as the third teacher, inquiry, documentation and reflection

• The principles and practices underpinning a quality 3- and 4-year-old preschool program

We are looking for someone who does not simply understand these approaches theoretically, but who can authentically embody these philosophies in their everyday practice and leadership.

As Educational Leader, you will have an important role in supporting our team as we continue to develop our preschool offering, ensuring that our program remains true to our philosophy while providing rich, meaningful and intentional learning experiences for children.

About the Role

The Educational Leader will play a key role in overseeing and supporting the curriculum, learning and educational program across the service.

This is a hands-on leadership position, with the role comprising a balance of on-the-floor mentoring and support for educators,



as well as dedicated off-the-floor time working directly with the Director on curriculum, planning, educational practice and continuous improvement.

You will be responsible for supporting and developing a diverse team that includes Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, Diploma-qualified educators and Certificate III educators. You will need to be confident adapting your mentoring and leadership approach to support educators at different stages of their professional journey.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead and oversee curriculum planning and implementation.

• Provide on-the-floor mentoring, guidance and support to educators.

• Support Bachelor-qualified teachers, Diploma-qualified educators and Certificate III educators to develop their practice.

• Recognise and build upon the individual strengths, skills and professional knowledge of each team member.

• Work directly with the Director during dedicated off-the-floor time to review curriculum, learning and educational practices.

• Support educators to develop programs that reflect children's interests, ideas, theories and emerging learning.

• Promote nature-based learning and meaningful engagement with the natural environment.

• Support educators to critically reflect on the role of environments and play spaces in children's learning.

• Promote slow pedagogy, allowing children the time and freedom to explore, investigate, revisit and develop their thinking.

• Mentor educators to strengthen their understanding and implementation of the Reggio Emilia approach.

• Promote reflective practice and continuous improvement across the service.

• Support a strong culture of collaboration, professional respect and shared learning.

• Ensure curriculum decisions are grounded in a robust image of the child as capable, competent, curious and an active participant in their learning.

• Work collaboratively with the Director and leadership team to maintain and strengthen the service's educational philosophy and practices.

Relationships with Families and Community

A key part of this role is being present, approachable and connected to our families and wider community.

Our Educational Leader needs to understand that strong educational practice is built on strong relationships. You will be expected to develop genuine and respectful relationships with children, families, educators and community members.

You will:

• Build positive and trusting relationships with families.

• Be visible and approachable within the service.





• Communicate confidently and professionally with families about children's learning and development.

• Help families understand and engage with our pedagogical approach.

• Value and incorporate family and community knowledge into our curriculum.

• Contribute to a strong sense of belonging and connection within our community.

• Represent the service's philosophy and values with authenticity and professionalism.

About You

We are looking for a qualified and experienced early childhood teacher who:

• Has previous experience working in an educational leadership capacity.

• Demonstrates strong knowledge of early childhood curriculum and pedagogy.

• Has a genuine passion for nature play and nature-based learning.

• Understands and can confidently articulate nature play pedagogy, play space pedagogy and slow pedagogy.

• Has a strong personal alignment with the Reggio Emilia approach and its underlying principles.

• Sees children as capable, competent, curious and active participants in their learning.

• Values children's agency, voice, relationships and rights.

• Is confident mentoring educators on the floor and providing constructive, respectful feedback.

• Can effectively balance hands-on floor leadership with curriculum, reflection and planning responsibilities.

• Is comfortable working directly with the Director as part of the service's leadership team.

• Can work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment while maintaining a calm, thoughtful and reflective approach.

• Has excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

• Is warm, approachable and able to develop authentic relationships with families and the wider community.

• Is committed to ongoing professional learning, critical reflection and continuous improvement.

• Is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences and positive outcomes for children.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take on a meaningful leadership role within a service that is committed to nature, play, relationships, children's agency and authentic learning.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with the Director, mentor and inspire a diverse team of educators, influence curriculum and pedagogy, build strong relationships with families, and help strengthen an educational environment where children have the time, space and freedom to explore their world.

We are looking for someone who will live and breathe our philosophy, not simply implement it.

If you are an experienced early childhood teacher who is passionate about nature play, deeply values children's agency, understands progressive pedagogies, and personally aligns with Reggio Emilia, slow pedagogy and play space pedagogy, we would welcome your application.

Apply now and become part of a team committed to creating rich, meaningful and authentic learning experiences for children.

📌 Educational Leader (Pooraka)
🏢 Yawarra Children's Services - Pooraka Community Child Care
📍 Pooraka