Centre Manager – Maternity Leave Cover (Preston) The Learning Space Early Education and Care – Preston VIC

Full Time | Fixed Term (6–12 months) | $100,000 – $110,000 per year + Super & RDO | Commencing October 2026 | Preston, Melbourne VIC

We are seeking a passionate and experienced early childhood leader to join The Learning Space Preston as Centre Manager on a 6–12 month full-time maternity leave cover, commencing October 2026.

There is also the possibility of a transfer to another centre at the completion of the contract, depending on operational needs and mutual interest.

“Please come to help with playing!” – Miss A, 3

Our children have spoken—and they would love to welcome a new “big person” to lead their centre during this important period.

We are looking for a dedicated and capable Centre Manager to oversee our purpose-built, 68-place Long Day Care Centre in Preston, which opened in January 2023.

As Centre Manager, you will:

Oversee the day-to-day operations across four rooms

Support, mentor, and lead a passionate team of educators

Build strong, respectful relationships with children, families, and the wider community

Ensure high-quality educational programs aligned with EYLF and NQS

Lead with professionalism, warmth, and a robust sense of humour

Or, in the words of our children:

If you are “nice and really kind” (Master S, 5), “taller than me with arms that reach the sky” (Master R, 3), and love to “play jumping and cars and roads” (Miss S, 4), then this might be the perfect role for you.

Why join The Learning Space? We are locally owned and operated and proud of the strong culture we are building across our services. Our Coburg centre has been rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard, and we are working toward the same standard of excellence at Preston.

At The Learning Space:

We practise what we preach





We prioritise collaboration, reflection, and continuous improvement

We invest in ongoing professional development and research-based practice

We work closely with Kelly Goodsir (KG Learning) for coaching and curriculum mentoring

About You You are an experienced, confident early childhood leader who brings structure, energy, and empathy to your work. You are comfortable managing the complexity of centre operations and thrive in leading high-performing teams.

Essential Criteria:

Early Childhood qualification (Bachelor or experienced Diploma)

Minimum 2+ years’ experience as a Centre Director (essential)

Experience leading a large service (60+ children or more)Strong knowledge of EYLF, NQS, WHS, and A&R; requirements

Proven leadership, rostering, staffing, and operational management experience

Strong administrative and organisational skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certification

Valid WWCC, Police Check, and Child Protection training

Experience with inquiry-based learning (desirable)

Permanent residency in Australia required

What’s in it for you?

Competitive above-award salary + Super + RDO

Generous incentives and childcare discounts

Supportive and progressive leadership team

Access to high-quality training and mentoring

A well-resourced, purpose-built learning environment

Opportunity to lead a centre working toward Exceeding NQS

Our Commitment to Child Safety We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children. We uphold the Child Safe Standards and actively promote the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through respectful and meaningful engagement.

If you are ready to step into a meaningful leadership role and make a positive impact during this maternity leave period, we would love to hear from you.

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📌 Centre Manager – Maternity Leave Cover (Port Phillip City)
🏢 The Learning Space Early Education and Care
📍 Port Phillip City