Full Time Educator Position

Lilypad Early Learning Centre is a 106 place centre, offering care and education for children aged from 6 weeks to 12 years. We are conveniently located inside the Top Ryde Shopping Centre, offering large, purpose built, indoor/outdoor spaces that are shielded from extreme weather elements.

Our educational programs are founded and constructed on inclusive based approaches, whereby practises are delivered to ensure that children's natural desire to explore and learn is facilitated. These approaches encourage children to feel and know that their contribution and involvement is valued. Children are offered the freedom to explore and express themselves, to make sense of their feelings and experiences, with the ability to make decisions and choices that matter to them. We believe that children should be the leaders of their own unique learning journeys.

Age-appropriate, inquiry-based learning experiences, expressive arts, physical play and health awareness are all key components that our educators incorporate into the experiences that children explore. Learning and development is scaffolded through the genuine warmth of the service, that is created through the nurturing relationships and interactions that our educators have with children, their families, fellow colleagues and community members.

We adopt a strengths-based approach not only for children, but for our staffing team, whereby the social interactions and connections that both adults and children have to the people places and things around them becomes an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Community connections and relationships with families are maintained and valued in everyday practice, and this supports the integration of culture and language throughout the service, enhancing educator skills and broadening knowledge.

If you believe that you have the passion and ambition to contribute positively to a large team of educators, and like the sound of our centre environment, then we encourage you to apply.

**We offer you**:

- a happy workplace with a dedicated team, including supportive management
- room leader opportunities
- a rewarding role, with above legal ratio requirements, providing education and care for children within an inclusive, respectful and multicultural environment.
- a salary above Modern Award
- generous programming time each week
- regular team meetings with awarded time in lieu
- collaboration with centre's Educational Leader at hand
- excursions within the community
- professional development opportunities
- a large open environment that is not impacted by weather conditions
- an employee wellbeing approach that recognises the importance of social and emotional health, with a zero tolerance approach to workplace bullying
- monthly RDO's
- generous resource budget
- lengthy meal break options with off premise conveniences (shops, medical appointments etc)
- flexibility in shift times and requested leave approvals supported
- onsite staff parking
- generous childcare discount
- uniform

**We need you to**:

- hold a recognised **Certificate III or Diploma** of Early Childhood Education and Care or a **Bachelor degree** in Early Childhood Education
- have a high standard of communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with colleagues, families and community members
- have a keen interest of inclusive and strengths-based practices, with willingness to work with allied health professionals and other external agencies who are working with children and their families
- have an understanding of contemporary child safe practices and sound knowledge of the mandatory reporter requirements
- be able to document, develop, plan and implement learning experiences that are delivered in an age appropriate, safe, challenging and stimulating way for children
- contribute to program reflections and program developments as part of the team environment
- Contribute to general cleaning and other day to day requirements of the position
- use online communication platforms and have a moderate skill base to use technology means to communicate and record information

**Lilypad ELC **is an **equal opportunity employer**. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees just as we do for our children, families and community members.

**Lilypad ELC **is a **child safe **organisation.