Lead Educator/facilitator

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

Playgroup NSW is currently recruiting for Lead Educators across North West Sydney, to facilitate 2 of our key programs.
- Casual/Part-time Positions
- SCHCADS Level 3
- Locations include _Ropes Crossing, Glendenning, Westmead & Merrylands_

Playgroup NSW connects people to strengthen child, family, and community well-being through playing, learning, and building communities of support. We are a Not-for-Profit membership association, with more than 50,000 families engaged each year, and our vision over the next three years is all about making a positive difference for children.

**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.

We have 2 Programs and multiple groups that require a Lead Educator/Facilitator:
Our **MyTime Program** provides local support for mums, dads, grandparents, and anyone caring for a child under 16 years of age with a disability or chronic medical condition. Parents can socialise and share ideas with others who understand the demands, rewards, and intensity of the caring role. Educators help support this environment by engaging with children attending in early learning experiences that benefit their development so that families can benefit from the peer support MyTime offers.

We require Lead Educators/Facilitators for our **MyTime Program** at the following locations/days (school terms only):

- Monday (9.30 - 12.30) - **Westmead**:

- Wednesday (9.30 - 12.30) - **Ropes Crossing**:

- Thursday (9.30 - 12.30) - **Glendenning**:

- Friday (9.30 - 12.30) - **Merrylands**

Our **PlayConnect Program** is a supported playgroup designed to support families of children with autism, developmental delays and/or behavioural concerns 0 - 6 years of age. The program looks to increase developmental outcomes for children, connect parents with other local parents and link families to relevant information and services in the community. You will help support the Lead Educator by engaging with children attending in early learning experiences that benefit their development.

We also require a Lead Educator/Facilitator for our **PlayConnect Program** at the following location/day (school terms only):

- Thursday (9.30 - 12.30) - **Glendenning**

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;
- Experience & understanding of issues facing parents and carers of children with additional needs and knowledge of relevant disability & carer support systems or willingness to learn;
- Experience working with children with autism, developmental delays, and behavioural challenges;
- Experience and understanding of early childhood development and play using a child-led approach;
- 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);
- First Aid Certificate (preferable);
- A current driver’s licence.