Lead Educator

Part-time (19 hrs a week)
- School Terms Only
- SCHCADS Level 3

**_ Exciting opportunity to play, learn and build your career with Playgroup NSW_**

**Our Vision **at Playgroup NSW is to positively impact every NSW child, their family and community in the first 2,000 days of life.

**Our Purpose **is to lead play-based programs and services for NSW families with children birth to school age, offering development, shared experiences, and family support, that results in active citizens and inclusive communities.

**Our Values** are to:

- Be child centric_: Children are at the heart of our work.
- Lead change_: Seek and encourage learning, innovation, and greater positive impact.
- Act with integrity:_ Be honest, accountable and show respect.
- Work smart, play often:_ Be goal focused, mindful of people's wellbeing and enjoy work.

Playgroup NSW is driven by these values, demonstrates them in our work and in our relationships and encourages them across our membership and in all our activities.

Playgroup NSW connects people to strengthen child, family, and community well-being through playing, learning, and building communities of support. We are a NFP membership association, with more than 40,000 families engaged each year, and our vision over the next three years is all about making a positive difference for children.

We are currently hiring a Lead Educator for our Sutherland Supported Playgroup Program. The Sutherland Supported Playgroup Program is a targeted early intervention program funded by the NSW Government. Our Supported Playgroups target vulnerable, isolated and/or disadvantaged families of children under 5. This may include but is not limited to: Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse families, families with a member who has a disability or mental illness, teenage and young parent families, grandparents caring for their grandchildren, first time parents and fathers.

You will run 4 structured playgroup sessions each week during School Terms. Playgroups are located in the Sutherland/Oyster Bay area. The role is part-time with groups Mon-Thur (9.30 am - 12.30 pm). You will work in partnership with families and lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the playgroup learning framework, including the weekly program for children and families participating in the playgroup, ensuring individual children’s strengths, interests and needs are identified and their learning enhanced.

Key responsibilities include:

- establish the Playgroups for families and ensure they include a peer support group;
- facilitate group topics and structured sessions;
- support and guide groups and ensure the inclusive program approach is adopted and adhered to;
- participate in the ongoing development of the program and share insights and ideas with Community Coordinators;
- maintain accurate records and ensure all administrative tasks are completed on time;
- maintain a duty of care to ensure safety of all attending the Playgroups and promptly report all hazards, incidents and injuries;
- participate in the ongoing development of Playgroup NSW and share insights and ideas with other Playgroup NSW staff;
- other functions and responsibilities as directed by your manager.

Selection criteria includes:

- Tertiary qualifications and/or minimum 3 years experience in early childhood, community development or social work is mandatory;
- A proven capacity and experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse, Indigenous and vulnerable families;
- Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team to achieve program objectives;
- A demonstrated ability to engage with the community to achieve program objectives and organisational goals;
- Working with Children Check verification letter to present on commencement (essential)
- A current driver’s licence