Lead Educator Playstrong Playgroup

**LEAD EDUCATOR - PLAYSTRONG PLAYGROUP**
- Casual position offering approximately 3.5 hours per week.
- School Terms Only
- SCHCADS Level 3
- Location: Ropes Crossing

**_ 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.

The _PlayStrong Program_ is designed to build strong relationships between vulnerable families and early learning services in their local area. We are currently seeking a Lead Educator to work in partnership with these families and early learning services to help them get to know each other and to share information, recognizing that parents and carers are experts in their own lives and for their family. You will also help support positive community awareness of the importance of early learning in supporting optimum child development and maintain minimum attendance levels. You will be provided with a program plan and evaluation tools each quarter which will include parent and early learning services engagement activities to include excursions, guest speakers, and play activities designed to enhance parent child relationships.

This is a casual position, and the Playgroup is located at **Ropes Crossing**.

Key responsibilities include:

- develop a comfortable and welcoming environment for families and encourage effective participation through positive interaction with parents and children.
- facilitate group topics and structured sessions and liaise with partner early learning services to build relationships.
- support and guide groups and ensure the inclusive program approach is adopted and adhered to.
- support children's development where appropriate.
- maintain accurate records and ensure all evaluation documents 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 another Playgroup NSW staff.
- other functions and responsibilities as directed by your manager.

Selection criteria includes:

- Completed (or currently studying) Diploma qualification related to children’s services, social science, counselling, community services, support worker or parenting support.
- Experience, strong knowledge and understanding of issues facing parents and carers of vulnerable families.
- 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.
- Demonstrated admin and organisational skills to ensure groups sessions are developed and managed effectively and program reporting requirements are accurate and timely.
- Demonstrated ability to engage with the community to achieve program objectives and organisational goals.
- First Aid Certificate preferable.
- Working with Children Check verification letter to present on commencement (essential).
- Minimum of 18 years of age.