About Paisley Park

At Paisley Park Early Learning Centres, we believe exceptional early childhood education begins with exceptional people, meaningful relationships and an unwavering commitment to children. We are dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and care through environments where children feel secure, valued, connected and inspired to learn. Our Centres are built on strong partnerships with families, passionate Educators, professional leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement.

About the opportunity: A Centre unlike any other

Some early learning environments are purpose-built. Others are truly extraordinary. Paisley Park Prospect is a remarkable 120-place early learning Centre created around a nationally heritage-protected, approximately 150-year-old tram shed, thoughtfully transformed into an inspiring indoor–outdoor wonderland for children.

The Centre's distinctive architecture, beautiful natural light, expansive play spaces and stunning living trees growing throughout the environment create a setting that is as memorable as it is meaningful. The history of the building has been preserved while its spaces have been reimagined to support children's curiosity, exploration, creativity and connection with nature. It is an environment that invites children to wonder, discover, move, create and learn. It provides a unique foundation for an educational program that celebrates the natural world, meaningful experiences and the extraordinary possibilities of early childhood.

You will be stepping into an established and successful Centre, with the benefit of leadership continuity and ongoing support.

Our current Centre Director is transitioning into a senior leadership role within Paisley Park and will continue supporting the Centre's operations. This creates an exciting opportunity for an incoming Centre Director to take the reins of a well-established service while retaining access to the knowledge, experience and support of the leader who has helped guide it.

We are looking for a Director who can honour what has already been built while bringing fresh energy, professional ambition and a clear vision for the Centre's continued success. For the right person, this is more than another Centre Director position. It is an opportunity to lead a truly special service, make a lasting skilled contribution and establish a long-term home within an organisation that values commitment, professionalism, resilience and strong leadership.

Experienced leadership. Genuine mentoring. A long-term home.

One of the most valuable aspects of joining Paisley Park is the depth of experience within our leadership team.

You will be supported by experienced, hands-on leaders and mentors who have been part of Paisley Park for more than 20 years. Their longstanding commitment, loyalty, professionalism and resilience reflect the strength of our organisation and our belief in building lasting relationships with the people who lead our services.

In addition to the ongoing support of the transitioning Centre Director, you will have access to experienced leaders who understand the realities of early childhood education and care. They bring practical knowledge, sound judgement and a genuine willingness to work alongside Centre Directors to navigate operational challenges, strengthen team performance, maintain regulatory compliance and continually improve educational quality.

This is not leadership support from a distance. You will have access to people who understand the sector, are invested in your success and can provide practical guidance when it matters.

We want our Centre Directors to feel supported and empowered to lead, while being accountable for the quality, culture, compliance and performance of their Centre.

At Prospect, you will have the opportunity to build on an established foundation and contribute to a Centre that is already valued by its community, while continuing to shape what excellence looks like in practice.

Lead an exceptional team and workplace culture

- Lead the recruitment, selection, induction, development and retention of a capable, diverse and values-aligned team.

- Foster a positive, inclusive and accountable workplace culture where Educators feel supported, respected and motivated to perform at their best.

- Provide visible, hands-on leadership, establishing clear expectations and professional standards across the service.

- Coach, mentor and develop Educators, strengthening their confidence, capability and professional practice.

- Engage the team in professional learning, critical reflection and continuous improvement, with a clear focus on outcomes for children.

- Address performance concerns constructively and promptly,



ensuring accountability and consistency across the service.

- Build on the Centre's existing strengths while identifying opportunities to further develop team capability and workplace culture.

Champion educational excellence

- Lead a high-quality, child-centred educational program informed by the Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Framework and the needs, interests and strengths of individual children.

- Work collaboratively with the Educational Leader and Educators to strengthen pedagogical practice, intentional teaching and reflective thinking.

- Make the most of Prospect's remarkable indoor–outdoor environment, natural light, living trees and unique architectural features to create meaningful learning opportunities.

- Encourage children's curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, physical development and connection with nature through engaging, thoughtfully planned experiences.

- Support Educators to see the environment as an active participant in children's learning, using its distinctive features to inspire inquiry, discovery and exploration.

- Lead continuous quality improvement through meaningful evaluation, professional dialogue and a commitment to consistently high standards.

Champion child safety and protection

Paisley Park is a child-protected organisation. This commitment is fundamental to who we are and is non-negotiable.

- Embed children's safety, rights, dignity and wellbeing into everyday decisions, interactions, leadership practices and service operations.

- Establish and maintain a culture in which child safety is everyone's responsibility, concerns are taken seriously, and appropriate action is taken without hesitation.

- Ensure Educators understand and fulfil their child safety, child protection, supervision, reporting and duty-of-care obligations.

- Maintain robust recruitment, induction, training, supervision, risk management and reporting practices in accordance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and Paisley Park policies.

- Demonstrate professional courage and sound judgement when addressing unsafe practices, inappropriate conduct or concerns affecting children's safety and wellbeing.

- Ensure the Centre's distinctive environment, including indoor–outdoor spaces, living trees and architectural features, is appropriately risk assessed, maintained and supervised.

Drive operational excellence and sustainable performance

- Oversee the effective day-to-day operation of the 120-place Centre, maintaining solid systems, processes and professional standards.

- Lead rostering, staffing and workforce planning to support safe, effective and sustainable service delivery.

- Manage operational budgets, resource allocation and performance to support the long-term viability of the Centre.

- Maintain compliance with the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standard, Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and all applicable South Australian requirements.

- Maintain solid oversight of quality improvement, documentation, risk management, health and safety and regulatory readiness.

- Ensure the Centre's facilities, resources and distinctive built environment are maintained to a high standard, with appropriate consideration for the heritage-protected structure and its ongoing use as an early learning service.

- Monitor service performance, identify opportunities for improvement and work collaboratively with the Paisley Park leadership team to deliver strong outcomes.

- Sustain the quality, family relationships and operational standards that underpin the Centre's established reputation and full enrolment capacity.

Strengthen family relationships and community connections

- Develop genuine, trusting relationships with families and partner with them in their children's early learning journey.

- Foster a welcoming environment where families feel respected, heard and connected to the Centre.

- Build on Prospect's existing reputation and community relationships, ensuring families continue to experience high-quality education, care and communication.

- Confidently represent Paisley Park within the local community and build meaningful connections with schools, businesses and community organisations.

- Respond professionally to feedback and concerns, recognising that trust is earned through consistency,



transparency and strong relationships.

The leader we are looking for

We are looking for more than someone who can manage a Centre. We want a leader who can inspire people, elevate educational practice, build trust with families and recognise the potential of an already exceptional service.

You will bring:

- A recognised early childhood qualification, such as a Diploma or Bachelor's degree, that meets the applicable requirements for the position. Graduate Diploma qualifications alone will not be considered.

- Demonstrated experience as a Centre Director or in a senior early childhood leadership position, with the capability to lead a service confidently and independently.

- Strong working knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standard, Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and relevant South Australian regulatory requirements.

- A sound understanding of child safety, child protection, mandatory reporting obligations and the practical implementation of child-safe practices.

- Proven ability to lead, develop and retain a diverse team while establishing clear expectations and a positive workplace culture.

- Experience in rostering, workforce planning, staffing, operational management, budgeting and resource allocation.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with families, Educators, leadership and external stakeholders.

- Strong organisational, time-management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

- A performance-focused approach to leadership, with the ability to engage Educators in professional learning, reflection and continuous quality improvement.

- The ability to build on an established service's strengths while identifying opportunities to improve quality, strengthen relationships and support ongoing performance.

- Confidence in managing operational responsibilities within a distinctive workplace, including appropriate consideration of heritage, facilities, maintenance and risk management.

- A genuine strength in relationship-building and the ability to maintain a positive reputation within the local community.

- A hands-on leadership style and a willingness to be actively involved in the everyday life of the Centre.

- A commitment to ongoing career development and a desire to continue growing as a leader.

Above all, you will be a person of strong character who understands that effective leadership is demonstrated through actions, consistency, accountability and the way people are treated.

What we offer

An extraordinary place to lead

Work in a distinctive, heritage-protected tram shed that has been transformed into a beautiful indoor–outdoor early learning environment, with stunning natural light, living trees and inspiring spaces for children to explore.

An established, well-respected service

Lead a 120-place Centre operating at full capacity, with established community relationships, experienced Educators and a strong foundation on which to continue building.

A supported leadership transition

Benefit from the continuity of an experienced Centre Director who is moving into a senior leadership role and will continue supporting the Centre's operations. You will have the advantage of established knowledge, existing relationships and practical guidance as you step into the role.

The opportunity to make your mark

Bring your leadership strengths and vision to a service with a distinctive identity. Shape its culture, strengthen educational practice and help determine the standards for which the Centre is known.

Experienced, accessible leadership and mentoring

Work alongside an established leadership team with more than 20 years of Paisley Park experience, offering practical guidance, hands-on support and a genuine investment in your success.

A values-driven organisation

Join an organisation that values professionalism, loyalty, resilience, accountability, collaboration and a shared commitment to quality early childhood education and care.

Professional growth and development

Continue to develop your leadership capability, engage in professional learning and contribute to the broader success of Paisley Park.

Meaningful community impact

Build lasting relationships with children, families, Educators and the Prospect community, helping ensure the Centre continues to be a trusted and valued part of local life.

The potential for a long-term professional home

For someone seeking more than another position on their CV, this is an opportunity to grow with an organisation that values commitment, invests in its people and recognises the importance of experienced, capable and dedicated leaders.

📌 Centre Director at Paisley Park Early Learning Centre Prospect
🏢 Paisley Park Early Learning Centres
📍 Prospect