HEAD OF PEDAGOGY AND PRACTICE

About the Role

Shine Bright EYM is seeking an experienced and values-led early childhood leader to join our organisation as Head of Pedagogy and Practice. This senior leadership role will preserve and advance the Shine Bright Way philosophy, ensuring our kindergarten and long day care services are delivered with quality, joy and purpose for children, families and communities.

Reporting to the Chief of Education, People and Compliance, the Head of Pedagogy and Practice will lead Shine Bright?s pedagogy and educational teams, guide practice development across services and champion high quality, inclusive education and care. The role will bring a strong educational and pedagogical best-practice lens to service delivery, continuous improvement, strategic operations and the ongoing implementation of early childhood reform.

About You

You are an accomplished early childhood or early primary professional with deep sector knowledge, strong pedagogical leadership capability and a demonstrated commitment to inclusive, child-centred practice. You bring a future-focused approach, sound judgement and the ability to inspire, coach and develop teams across multiple services.

Key Selection Criteria

? Lead Shine Bright?s educational approach, pedagogical philosophy and practice frameworks across kindergarten and long day care services.

? Build the capability of Regional Managers, Early Years Advisors and service teams to deliver high quality, inclusive and evidence-informed education and care.

? Drive continuous improvement and service excellence, with a focus on exceeding the National Quality Standards.

? Champion the Shine Bright Way philosophy and embed organisational culture, values and service philosophy through growth and change.

? Provide pedagogical insight into strategic planning, service development, utilisation and quality improvement.

? Lead initiatives aligned to Shine Bright?s strategic priorities for the education, care and wellbeing of children.

The successful candidate will have





? an ACECQA-approved tertiary qualification in early childhood or primary education,

? extensive experience in the early years sector or lower primary,

? strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework,

? Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and approved early years learning frameworks.

? Victorian Institute of Teaching registration,

? and a Victorian driver?s licence are also required.

About Us

Shine Bright EYM is a not-for-profit, community-based early years organisation with the needs of children and families at its highest priority. We manage more than 40 kindergartens across Central and Northern Victoria and are committed to providing exceptional early childhood education and care in safe, inclusive and connected communities.

Why Join Shine Bright?

This is an opportunity to shape educational practice at scale and make a meaningful contribution to children, families, educators and communities across Central and Northern Victoria. You will join a purpose-driven organisation that values collaboration, professional practice, meaningful documentation, First Nations perspectives and the expertise of early childhood professionals.

To Apply To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role, including your experience in pedagogical leadership, practice improvement and leading teams in early childhood education and care. If you are interested in learning more about this role please reach out to Ann Archer at ****@shinebright.org.au or if you are ready to take the next step in your career please submit your application by clicking apply now.

Applications close midnight 11/10/2026. Shine Bright will be actively interviewing for this position as applicants apply and the position maybe filled prior to the closing date.

Shine Bright EYM is a Child Safe organisation. We recognise the right of every child to feel protected and be heard, and we encourage applications from people who share our commitment to child safety, inclusion and high quality early childhood education.

📌 Head of Pedagogy and Practice (Bendigo)
🏢 Shine Bright EYM
📍 Bendigo