Job Description

2IC / Assistant Centre Director – Early Childhood Education

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Montessori Minds – North Geelong

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Full-Time | Leadership Position

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About Montessori Minds

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Montessori Minds is a progressive early childhood education and care service committed to providing a nurturing, engaging and high-quality learning setting where every child has the opportunity to belong, discover and grow.

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We are seeking an experienced, passionate and highly organised 2IC / Assistant Centre Director to work closely with our Centre Director and leadership team.

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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.

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Key Responsibilities

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As the 2IC, you will:

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

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Child safety is not simply a compliance requirement at Montessori Minds — it must be embedded in our everyday culture, leadership, behaviours and decision‐making.

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The successful candidate will be expected to:

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- Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
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- Champion a culture where child safety and wellbeing are understood and practised by every team member.
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- Ensure children are listened to, respected and empowered to participate in decisions affecting them.
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- Promote culturally safe, inclusive and equitable environments for all children.
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- Ensure staff understand their child protection, mandatory reporting, information‐sharing and record‐keeping responsibilities.
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- Identify, assess and respond appropriately to child safety risks.
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- Support child‐focused processes for responding to complaints, concerns, incidents or allegations.
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- Ensure educators receive appropriate induction, supervision, training and ongoing education regarding child safety.
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The Paramount Principle

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The safety, rights and best interests of every child are the PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION.

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This principle must guide every decision and every action taken within the service.

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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.

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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.

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What We Are Looking For

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The ideal candidate will have:

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- Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care,



or another approved qualification.
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- Previous experience as a 2IC, Assistant Director, Educational Leader, Room Leader or senior educator.
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- Strong understanding of the NQF, NQS and Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.
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- Strong knowledge of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and child protection obligations.
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- Current Working with Children Check.
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- Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis qualifications as required for the role.
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- Required child protection and child safety training.
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- Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
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- Confidence in having respectful but accountable conversations with team members.
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- Strong attention to compliance, documentation and operational detail.
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- Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in a busy early learning environment.
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- A genuine commitment to children's safety, rights, wellbeing, development and education.
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Montessori experience is regarded but not essential if you have a genuine interest in learning and supporting Montessori principles.

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The Person We Want

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We are looking for more than someone who can simply "run the floor."

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We want a leader who is visible, approachable, accountable and proactive — someone who notices what needs improvement and takes action.

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

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Most importantly, you must genuinely believe that:

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Why Join Montessori Minds?

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You will have the opportunity to:

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