Group Leader

Hope Island Montessori is a well-established Children's House with an excellent reputation for delivering an authentic Montessori program that enriches children's lives through holistic education, gentle nurturing and a love of nature.

We are currently seeking a Lead Educator for our Casa 3-6 program to join our friendly and professional team.

We support and inspire our Educators with a variety of professional development opportunities in a warm and caring environment. We enjoy a beautiful natural outdoor area and utilise quality materials and resources. Our local owners are involved and passionate about supporting our Director and team to deliver highest quality education and care.

Our ideal applicant will demonstrate the following:

- Commitment to offering an authentic Montessori journey for children and their families
- A gentle, calm and respectful approach to children at all times
- Initiative and the ability to contribute feedback and ideas
- Excellent Presentation
- Reliability and Professionalism

We aim to empower both our children and Educators to explore, learn and thrive through achievement and self
- expression. We genuinely appreciate and value our Educators incorporating their personal interests and skills within our program, creating rich and diverse learning experiences and opportunities to learn and grow together.

**Hours**:Centre Operates7:00 am - 5:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Hours negotiable.
**Salary**: $35.00 per hour

**ROLE SUMMARY**

Guide the children's learning with adherence to Montessori principles and the Early Years Learning Framework, document individual and group learning journeys and assume responsibility for the health, safety and education of the children.

**Montessori Leadership**
- Establish and maintain Montessori classroom culture, paying particular attention to the needs of students or parents new to the Montessori philosophy
- Lead with enthusiasm, professionalism, confidence, punctuality, and team spirit
- Set an excellent example for students instilling honesty, understanding, respect, love, and kindness
- Plan, prepare and maintain Montessori lessons and materials
- Ensure that the classroom offers a clean, well-prepared and attractive Montessori learning environment where all children feel safe and valued
- Collaborate with the Kindergarten Teacher and Assistant Educators and to ensure the program, environment and daily rhythm is effective in all required areas
- Implement and update learning plan and maintain documentation necessary for monitoring of progress for individual and group learning
- Identify any students with potential learning difficulties and participate in communication with Children's House Director, parents and external agencies.
- Promote healthy eating practices, encouraging grace and courtesy during meal times
- Ensure respectful and open lines of communication with parents via written communication, setting up meetings and information sessions, and educating parents about the Montessori pedagogy
- Contribute to planning days for review of materials, cleaning, reorganising environment and providing feedback and training as needed

**Documentation**:

- Carefully observe and document each child's individual progress through the Montessori materials via Storypark and written records
- Create and document individual and group learning stories in accordance with NQF and EYLF requirements via Storypark
- Observe and record any information required to support children with additional needs
- Create and share learning reflections, transition statements, parent communication and any other classroom information required per centre planning schedule

**Supervision of Classroom Assistants**
- Provide supervision to assistant teachers, including guidance, development, and evaluation with help from the Director
- Ensure that assistant teachers are adhering to centre policies at all times
- Participate in classroom meetings and group sharing of information via Storypark
- Participate in staff performance reviews as required

**QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS**

Lead Guides should have, or be working towards, a Montessori credential from an internationally or nationally recognised Montessori organisation as well as a Diploma in Early Childhood or Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). Excellent interpersonal skills and presentation are necessary.
- Diploma of Early Education or Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
- Working knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and understanding of the National Quality Framework (NQF).
- Montessori Accreditation Certificate by AMI or similar
- First Aid/CPR Training
- Blue card
- Passionate about alternative education philosophies and early childhood education
- An ability to meet the needs of students of varying ages, needs, and abilities
- Excellent planning and organisational skills

**Salary**: $35.00 per hour

Schedule:

- Flexible hours
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Ho