Assistant Director

About Early Learning Victoria

The Victorian Government is establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres will offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres will provide high-quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.

Early Learning Victoria's central office is part of the Victorian Department of Education. The central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and will support and oversee centre operations once they open.

Staff in the Early Learning Victoria centres will be part of a new Victorian government-employed early childhood workforce. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Early Learning Victoria is committed to Child Safety and the safeguarding of children from harm.

Why join us?

·       Be part of a new Victorian government early childhood workforce with strong career pathways and professional development.

·       Enjoy a flexible roster, designed to offer flexibility for staff while ensuring continuity of care for children and families.

·       Access a range of professional development and training opportunities to support career growth. Each year, staff are eligible for two paid professional development days.

Location Profile

Assistant Director - Early Learning Victoria

Salary: $86,037 - $109,521

Early Learning Victoria has an application in progress with the Australian Government Department of Education for the Worker Retention Grant.

This is a flexible role that will be required to work across various Early Learning Victoria centres for blocks of time and will involve travel. The role will initially be based at Early Learning Victoria Muyan, located in Sunshine. Opened in 2025, this 130-place centre offers childcare, and Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre-Prep.

Role Purpose

The Assistant Centre Director will work alongside the Centre Director to oversee the daily operations of the centre, ensuring compliance with regulations and organisational policies and procedures. This role will also support staff recruitment and development, and enrolment management, with assistance from the Early Learning Victoria central team.

Role Requirements:·       High Quality Practice: Committed to providing an environment where children can flourish and thrive, supported by pedagogy and practice that upholds all elements of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations and the National Quality Standards and is guided by the philosophy of Early Learning Victoria. Encourages reflective practice where feedback is used constructively to improve teaching and learning experiences. Stays informed about current research and trends to ensure the service delivers high-quality, innovative programs that meet the needs of children and families.

·       Compliance and Child Safety: Ensures the centre is compliant with all aspects of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, National Quality Standards (NQS), Child Protection and Child Safe Standards, Approved Frameworks and all Early Learning Victoria policies and procedures.

·       Administration: Supports the Centre Director to oversee the day-to-day operations of the centre, including staffing, child enrolment, budgeting and expenditure, stakeholder management and centre related communications.

·       Service Delivery: Contributes to the implementation of high-quality care and educational programs that support children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Upholds the Early Learning Victoria philosophy and translates this into centre-level values and goals. Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with families. Facilitates collaboration with co-located services and schools. Ensures centre alignment with the strategic and operational direction of Early Learning Victoria.

·       Staff Management: Supports the Centre Director with all aspects of centre staffing including recruitment, induction, rostering, performance, training, professional development and mentoring, safety and wellbeing and promoting a positive team culture that values diversity and innovation. Develops strategies for workforce attraction, retention and development and provides feedback to the central office about opportunities and challenges. Engages with staff on all aspects of operations, fostering a collaborative centre dynamic that encourages communication and shared problem-solving.

Experience required will include

·       Demonstrated management and leadership experience in early childhood education and care.

·       Extensive understanding of Education Care Services National Law and Regulations, the National Quality Framework, Child Safe Standards, Quality Improvement Plan and the Victorian Early Years Learning Development Framework.

·       Financial management and administrative experience specific to early childhood education and care.

·       Ability to lead and guide teaching teams and competency in all aspects of staff management.

·       Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families and communities.

·       Experience working with vulnerable children and families.

·       Proficiency in relevant administrative systems.

Specific skills/qualifications required

·       Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or higher (Bachelor of Education/Teaching (Early Childhood) will be highly regarded)

·       Valid `Employee' Working with Children Check (or full VIT registration)

·       Willingness to consent to a National Police Check (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria)

·       International Police Check required if resided outside of Australia for 12 months or more during the last 10 years

·       First Aid, CPR, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications

·       Protecting Children Mandatory Reporting online learning

Applying and further information

Click the Apply button to proceed through the Department of Education's online recruitment platform, where full Key Selection Criteria and Capabilities will be listed.

Please note, applications will only be reviewed after the job ad close date. We will not be contacting applicants before this time.

For more information about the role and Early Learning Victoria please email any queries to Amy Carr, Operations Director, Early Learning Victoria, via

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Sunday 09 November 2025.