Educational Leader: Play Rich Environment

Educational Leader: Play Rich Environment | ECE | Cherrybrook, North West Sydney

Reconnect with what you love about early childhood.

If you're an experienced educator with a love of leading through presence, not paperwork, we'd love to hear from you.

Join a family run, values led service in Sydney's North West where you'll be trusted to lead with autonomy, insight, and purpose. The outdoor space alone will inspire you - bike tracks, a jumping pillow, chickens, turtles, goats, and a sustainability garden the children help run.

About the role:

This is a fulltime leadership role (38 hours, with flexibility across 4 or 5 days) guiding educators across all rooms. You'll float intentionally based on curriculum needs and team support – not in ratio, but highly present.

What You'll Be Doing?

• Guide educators with real time coaching and feedback.
• Embed EYLF 2.0 in meaningful ways - not just documentation
• Ensure planning is meaningful, not just compliant.
• Uplift child voice and educator agency in planning
• Support reflective practice and curriculum decisions
• Be part of a leadership team that values insight, not hierarchy
• Seeing the environment as the third teacher - helping teams design both indoor and outdoor spaces that spark learning

You'll have 5 hours protected programming time off the floor weekly, with more as service needs grow.

Why this role?

• $92K - $112K package (depending on experience / qualification)
• No micromanagement – real autonomy and trust
• Staff discount and space to bring your child/ren if needed
• Open, down-to-earth culture with no red tape.
• Real focus on wellbeing, belonging and professional growth
• A director and assistant director who lead with collaboration and care
• Opportunities to bring your ideas to life and be heard
• Ongoing PD and genuinely thoughtful team events
• Strong team stability and shared values
• Purpose built service on acres – a nature lover's dream (think bike tracks, a jumping pillow, chickens, turtles, goats, and a sustainability garden the kids help run).

Who You Are?

• ACECQA recognised ECT (or working towards), Diploma qualified will be considered.
• Confident and calm in leadership style
• Passionate about curriculum that reflects children, families, and educators
• Strong knowledge of the EYLF and NQF – and how to bring it to life
• Comfortable floating between rooms and mentoring in the moment
• A love for the outdoors and using environments intentionally
• Warm, energising, and ready to contribute to something bigger

Leadership Culture

You'll be joining a thoughtful, grounded leadership team that values presence over hierarchy. Inspired by Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory and EYLF 2.0's emphasis on relationships and agency, this team believes leadership is about being with people - not above them.

As Malaguzzi said,

"The wider the range of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences."

The same goes for the educators who guide them.

Child Safeguarding:

Looking for an individual that will understand, adhere to, and promote The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (the Child Safe Standards). In your position, you will help to take action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people.

Child safeguarding methods for this position, include, but are not limited to:

• A NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC) or willingness to obtain.
• Thorough screening.
• Reference checks.
• A national criminal history check.

How to Apply?

If you're ready to be part of a team that truly supports its leaders and puts people first - apply now.

This role is ideal for someone who's ready to lead with impact, not ego. If you're feeling stuck or uninspired, this might just be the fresh start you've been waiting for.

About Us:

At Firefly HR, we redefine what it means to find exceptional talent in the education and care profession. We work exclusively with a select group of standout clients and candidates, ensuring only the best are connected with the highest quality opportunities – like this one.

Firefly HR – Made by Educators, for Educators

We partner with services who do things differently, who lead with integrity, hold onto what matters and create workplaces educators deserve.