Lead Educator

**The Opportunity**

Are you passionate about providing quality care and education to children? Do you want to make a positive impact in a welcoming and supportive environment? Come join the Uniting Early Learning team

We have an opportunity for a** Lead Educator** where you will provide leadership in the planning and implementation of a quality care and education program for young children.

Key responsibilities include:

- Planning and implementing programs based on knowledge of the child, children, EYLF and National Quality Framework (NQF) in preparation for the children’s first year of formal schooling.
- Effectively leading and managing the room and resources to maximise and maintain an effective, engaging, safe and aesthetic learning environment.
- Ensuring a safe environment and culture by supporting the development of the centre team capabilities to identify and respond to hazards and risks, informing the Director of issues and supporting the implementation of solutions to resolve and prevent a re-occurrence of incidents.
- Undertake and fulfil the duties of a responsible person, in day to day charge of the service as per the National Regulations (in the absence of the Nominated Supervisor), where required.
- Support and promote change initiatives within the centre.

This opportunity is being offered on a** full time **basis, located at our The Gap Centre.

**About You**

You are passionate about developing quality learning experiences for children, recognising and respecting each child's individuality, ability and potential.

You enjoy working in a community and values-based environment, working collaboratively and respectfully with fellow educators, utilising a variety of teaching strategies including intentional teaching, reflective practice and continuous improvement that provides quality education and care of children.

You have the ability to:

- Develop, drive, and implement an educational play-based program, ensuring the learning needs of individual children and the group are effectively documented and assessed.
- Assess children’s learning behaviour and development, guiding children’s behaviour in a positive way and encourage children to interact with others with care, empathy and respect.
- Provide practical guidance and interaction that ensures quality outcomes for children.

Qualifications, skills, and knowledge required:

- Early Childhood Diploma level qualification or equivalent as approved by ACECQA.
- Working knowledge of theories and practice relevant to early childhood education, assisting and supporting the provision of a safe, engaging and well planned indoor and outdoor learning environment.
- Strong understanding of relevant legislation, frameworks, policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure the service meets all compliance obligations.
- Thorough knowledge of relevant Child Protection Law matters applicable to the jurisdiction and proactively respond to child protection matters.
- Suitability Card for Child Related Employment (Blue Card) - Presentation of a current Suitability Card must be made before appointment to the position can be confirmed.
- Current First Aid, CPR and Asthma & Anaphylaxis certification.
- Right to work in Australia.

**What we can offer you**:

- Paid maternity leave
- 1 Grace and Favour day which is a paid day of leave once a year between Christmas and New Year.
- Generous professional development opportunities
- Paid renewal of your Blue Card
- Paid renewal of your First Aid certifications
- Reimbursement for immunisations required to work in the industry
- Reward and Recognition program
- Centre closes between Christmas and New Year allowing all staff to have time off with loved ones
- Paid one Pupil free day allowing for staff to set up their environments the first day back after Christmas
- 50% childcare discount

**About Us**

At UEL The Gap, our Centre prides itself on community spirit and strong family connections. We have created a morning ritual of gathering as a whole centre, giving thanks to our custodians, the Jugerra people. Our children spend their day developing and exploring their physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive self through play.

The outdoor spaces with native bees, worm farm, herb garden, flora and mud kitchen introduce children to the natural world and to explore their curiosity and imagination.

The Uniting Church in Queensland has been serving families through childcare services, run by congregations and other church organisations such as Wesley Mission Queensland and UnitingCare since 1964. Now under Uniting Early Learning, our objectives are mission based rather than profit based. We prioritise the delivery of quality learning outcomes for our children and a values-based philosophy.

More broadly, the Uniting Church in Australia is a large uniquely Australian Christian denomination in Australia. In Queensland, we have around 250 congregations and has schools, colleges and large community services.