2IC / Assistant Centre Director – Early Childhood Education

Montessori Minds – North Geelong Full-Time | Leadership Position

About Montessori Minds

Montessori Minds is a progressive early childhood education and care service committed to providing a nurturing, engaging and high-quality learning environment where every child has the opportunity to belong, discover and grow. We are seeking an experienced, passionate and highly organised 2IC / Assistant Centre Director to work closely with our Centre Director and leadership team.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who can lead educators, maintain high standards of compliance and child safety, support families, and contribute positively to the culture and continuous improvement of our service.

Key Responsibilities

As the 2IC, you will:

- Support the Centre Director in the day-to-day management and leadership of the service.
- Step into the Person in Day-to-Day Charge / responsible leadership role when required and appropriately authorised.
- Lead, mentor, coach and support educators to achieve consistently high standards.
- Promote a positive, professional and accountable team culture.
- Support staff induction, onboarding, training, performance and ongoing professional development.
- Maintain strong relationships and communication with children, families, educators and the wider community.
- Support enrolments, occupancy, family enquiries and centre tours.
- Assist with rostering, staffing arrangements and operational requirements.
- Ensure educator-to-child ratios, supervision requirements and regulatory obligations are consistently maintained.
- Support implementation of the National Quality Framework (NQF), National Quality Standard (NQS), Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations and service policies.
- Actively contribute to the service's Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and continuous improvement.
- Support high-quality educational programs and Montessori-inspired learning environments.
- Ensure documentation, incident management, risk assessments and compliance records are accurate and completed on time.
- Be visible within the service and willing to work alongside educators when required.

Child Safety – A Core Leadership Responsibility





Child safety is not simply a compliance requirement at Montessori Minds — it must be embedded in our everyday culture, leadership, behaviours and decision-making. The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of the Victorian Child Secure Standards.
- Champion a culture where child safety and wellbeing are understood and practised by every team member.
- Ensure children are listened to, respected and empowered to participate in decisions affecting them.
- Promote culturally safe, inclusive and equitable environments for all children.
- Ensure staff understand their child protection, mandatory reporting, information-sharing and record-keeping responsibilities.
- Identify, assess and respond appropriately to child safety risks.
- Support child-focused processes for responding to complaints, concerns, incidents or allegations.
- Ensure educators receive appropriate induction, supervision, training and ongoing education regarding child safety.

The Paramount Principle

The safety, rights and best interests of every child are the PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION. This principle must guide every decision and every action taken within the service.

Operational convenience, staffing pressures, financial considerations, parent expectations or other competing priorities must never take precedence over the safety, rights and best interests of a child.

As a member of the leadership team, the 2IC is expected to actively demonstrate this principle in everyday decision-making and ensure it is understood and practised throughout the service.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate will have:

- Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care, or another approved qualification.
- Previous experience as a 2IC, Assistant Director, Educational Leader,



Room Leader or senior educator.
- Strong understanding of the NQF, NQS and Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.
- Strong knowledge of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and child protection obligations.
- Current Working with Children Check.
- Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis qualifications as required for the role.
- Required child protection and child safety training.
- Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- Confidence in having respectful but accountable conversations with team members.
- Strong attention to compliance, documentation and operational detail.
- Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in a busy early learning environment.
- A genuine commitment to children's safety, rights, wellbeing, development and education.

Montessori experience is regarded but not essential if you have a genuine interest in learning and supporting Montessori principles.

The Person We Want

We are looking for more than someone who can simply “run the floor.” We want a leader who is visible, approachable, accountable and proactive — someone who notices what needs improvement and takes action.

You should be comfortable supporting educators while also maintaining transparent expectations and high professional standards.

Most importantly, you must genuinely believe that:

Why Join Montessori Minds?

You will have the opportunity to:

- Be part of a growing and progressive early childhood service.
- Work closely with an experienced leadership team.
- Have genuine input into centre operations and continuous improvement.
- Develop your leadership and management capabilities.
- Help build a strong, positive and child-safe workplace culture.
- Make a meaningful difference to children, families and educators.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume together with a short cover letter outlining your leadership experience and your approach to child safety, team leadership and quality improvement. Montessori Minds is committed to child safety and wellbeing. The safety, rights and best interests of children are the paramount consideration in all decisions and actions undertaken by our service.

📌 2IC / Assistant Centre Director – Early Childhood Education (North Geelong)
🏢 Montessori Minds Childcare Centre
📍 North Geelong