Educator (Play Connect) - Glendenning

**Playgroup NSW is looking for Early Childhood Educators
- Casual positions offering approximately 3 hours per week.
- Thursday Mornings (School Terms Only)
- SCHCADS Level 2
- Play Connect Program - Glendenning

**_ 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 Not-for-profit membership association, with almost 50,000 families engaged each year, and our vision over the next three years is all about making a positive difference for children.

**PlayConnect playgroups** are facilitated groups specifically for children aged 0-6 years with autism-like behaviours and their families. PlayConnect creates a peer-support environment for families and provides play experiences that are responsive to the needs of children with autism.

**The Educator** will support the Facilitator/Lead Educator by engaging with children attending in early learning experiences that benefit their development so that families can benefit from the peer support Play Connect Plus offer.

This is a casual position with groups every Thursday morning, 9.30 - 12.30 pm in Glendenning during school terms.

Playgroup NSW Educator key responsibilities include:

- Engage collaboratively in 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.
- Use the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to guide and influence planning and practice.
- Collaborate with children about their interests and support children in learning about the decision-making process.
- Engage positively in a play-based learning environment to foster and support all facets of child development (physical, social, emotional, language, creative and cognitive).
- Develop and maintain nurturing relationships and respond to the emotional needs of children and ensure that the dignity and rights of each child are maintained at all times.
- Support the inclusion of all children and families in the playgroup experiences.
- other functions and responsibilities as directed by your manager.

About You
- Completed (or currently studying) a qualification related to children’s services, social science, counselling, community services, support worker or parenting support.
- Experience working in an early childhood setting.
- Strong knowledge of development through play practices and positive parenting strategies as well as an understanding of the importance of early learning attendance for children prior to school.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to clients and foster cooperative relationships.
- Demonstrated admin and organisational skills to ensure groups sessions are developed and managed effectively and program reporting requirements are accurate and timely.
- Ability to lift children and equipment when required.
- First Aid Certificate preferable.
- Working with Children Check verification letter to present on commencement (essential).
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (essential).