Educational Leader (Early Childhood)

Permanent Full-Time | Hoppers Crossing Hoppers Crossing Montessori Centre is seeking an experienced, passionate and motivated Educational Leader to join our team on a permanent full-time basis.

This is an important leadership position for someone committed to high-quality early childhood education, strong educational practice and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Centre Director, leadership team and educators to guide curriculum development, strengthen teaching practices and create meaningful learning experiences for every child.

We are looking for someone who can lead by example, support and inspire educators, and build warm and respectful relationships with children, families and the local community.

Key Responsibilities

As the Educational Leader, you will:

- Lead and support educators in delivering high-quality educational programs
- Guide curriculum planning, documentation, observations and reflective practice
- Mentor educators and help strengthen their teaching knowledge and professional practice
- Ensure learning programs reflect children’s interests, strengths, abilities, cultures and individual needs
- Support the implementation of the EYLF, VEYLDF, NQF and National Quality Standard
- Promote the Montessori philosophy and support its integration into everyday practice
- Review educational programs and provide constructive feedback to educators
- Encourage critical reflection and continuous improvement across the service
- Support the Centre Director with quality improvement and assessment and rating preparation
- Build positive and respectful relationships with children, families, educators and community partners
- Support the delivery and compliance of the centre’s kindergarten program
- Ensure centre policies and procedures are understood and followed
- Contribute positively to the leadership, operation and culture of the service

Child Safety – A Core Leadership Responsibility

Child safety is not simply a compliance requirement at Hoppers Crossing Montessori Centre. 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 Safe Standards




- Champion a culture in which 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 educators 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
- Raise and respond to concerns promptly, professionally and in accordance with relevant policies and legal requirements
- Work closely with the leadership team to continually review and strengthen child-secure practices

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 any 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 Educational Leader is expected to actively demonstrate this principle in everyday decision-making and ensure it is understood and practised throughout the service.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must have:

- A Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or an ACECQA-approved equivalent qualification
- Current Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration
- Previous experience working as an Educational Leader or in a similar leadership position
- Solid knowledge of the National Quality Framework (NQF)




- Sound understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)
- Strong knowledge of the National Quality Standard and relevant regulations
- Experience supporting, mentoring and motivating educators
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Confidence engaging with children, families, educators and external stakeholders
- A strong commitment to child safety, inclusion and continuous improvement

Highly Regarded

The following experience or qualifications would be highly regarded:
- Previous experience working in a Montessori environment
- A Diploma or other recognised qualification in Montessori Education
- Experience supporting a funded kindergarten program
- Experience preparing for assessment and rating
- Experience with quality improvement planning and curriculum audits

About Us

Hoppers Crossing Montessori Centre is a up-to-date, purpose-built early learning and kindergarten service. We are committed to providing children with a safe, nurturing and engaging learning environment. Our educational approach combines Montessori principles with the approved early learning frameworks to support each child’s development, independence, confidence and love of learning.

We value respectful relationships, strong partnerships with families and ongoing professional development for our educators.

Why Join Us?

- Competitive salary with above-award wages
- Permanent full-time position
- Welcoming and supportive workplace culture
- Approachable and experienced leadership team
- Paid professional development and training
- Leadership mentoring and career progression opportunities
- Regular team-building activities
- Modern, purpose-built facilities
- Convenient on-site parking
- Opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of our Montessori and kindergarten programs

How to Apply

Please click the Apply button and submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your relevant experience and interest in the position. Employment will be subject to satisfactory qualification, registration, reference and child-safety checks.

We look forward to welcoming an experienced and committed Educational Leader to our team.

📌 Educational Leader (Early Childhood) (Hoppers Crossing)
🏢 Hoppers Crossing Montessori Centre
📍 Hoppers Crossing