Educator

Primary Purpose

To assist in planning, preparing, implementing and evaluating a developmentally and culturally appropriate program for children aged from 6 weeks to five years.  To communicate effectively with all school members to ensure high quality in every aspect of early learning at MLC.

Position in Context

MLC is a leading independent girls' day and boarding school. Our unmatched breadth of learning and wellbeing experiences and environments inspires and supports MLC students to find and nurture their individual interests and talents and achieve their best.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation in education, combined with the breadth of our curriculum, co-curricular activities, wellbeing programs, and College resources, ensures our students benefit from an enriched learning environment that is unmatched in Melbourne's education landscape. MLC students are empowered to be confident and resilient global citizens who possess the skills, knowledge and attitude to thrive throughout every stage of their schooling, and in an ever-changing, globalised world.

As part of your role you will be working with children.  It is your obligation to ensure their safety and to report any concerns that you may have in line with your duty of care and our Child Safe Program – specifically our MLC Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, our MLC Child Safe Codes of Conduct and our Staff and Student Professional Boundaries Policy.  You will be required to regularly provide the necessary VIT registration, Police records and reference checks.  We have zero tolerance when it comes to abuse of any kind and will take disciplinary action, including termination of employment should we determine that abuse has taken place or there has been a failure to report any suspected abuse.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

This position description outlines the major duties and responsibilities relevant to this role. This list is not exhaustive, and specific tasks and functions are expected to change from time to time in line with the College's operational requirements. 

Reporting to the MLC Kindle Associate, this role has broad exposure to the College and operates within the College's policies and procedures.

We offer exciting opportunities to engage in leadership roles in our Twilight Program and to as acting Team Leader during our holiday programs.

Responsibilities include:

• • To assist the Team Leader in ensuring all children's developmental needs and interests are addressed through high quality program/curriculum initiative based on the National Quality Framework and Standards and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
• • To openly communicate with members in MLC Kindle and report any challenges to the Team Leader and when necessary to the Director.
• • To establish open communication with all parents.
• • To assist families to make a smooth transition into MLC Kindle.
• • Under the guidance of the Team Leader support parents in their parenting role.
• • To be aware of the welfare needs of colleagues and to support them in the program.
• • To be aware of potential conflict and address this with the Team Leader.
• • To engage in professional development and provide information exchange with your colleagues to maintain exemplary practice in Early Childhood education.
• • Meet regularly with staff across the school to participate in extra curriculum experiences. E.g. Gymnastics, Music, Japanese and Library.
• • Assisting in supervising, monitoring and evaluating relievers and students work performance in conjunction with the Team Leaders.
• • To liaise with the Junior School Network and Resource groups, ECA, FKA, Gowrie Victoria, Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange and other organisations as deemed relevant by the Director.
• • To work within a program budget in conjunction with the Team Leader.
• • Take on extra tasks as allocated by the Team Leaders and the Director.
• • Attend department staff meetings after hours once per term.

Person Specification Essential Criteria (competencies, qualifications, knowledge and experience)

• – Diploma in Children's Services or higher Early Childhood qualification
• – A sound understanding and knowledge of Early Childhood Developmental principles and practice in education
• – A sound understanding of the Reggio Emilia philosophy
• – Administrative skills including time and workload management
• – Leadership skills and high level of self-motivation
• – Excellent computer skills including MS Office, Outlook and internet
• – Professional experience

Adherence to all College policies and demonstration of behaviours in accordance with the Child Safe

MLC's commitment to child safety

MLC is committed to the safety, participation, and empowerment of all children. All members of our community, including employees, contractors, agency staff and volunteers, have an important role in providing students with a safe and nurturing environment in which to prosper and thrive. MLC has zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently within our policies and procedures.

MLC is committed to preventing child abuse through identifying risks early and removing and reducing these risks. We have robust human resources and recruitment practices, supported by regular training and development.

We support and respect all children, as well as all members of our community. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal students, the cultural safety of children from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.