Childcare Educators

From the minute you walk into our Centre you know that you have arrived at a very special place. A welcoming place with landscaped gardens and views of the school’s unique lagoon and spectacular rain trees. Our Early Learning Centre provides wonderful facilities, excellent resources including its very own toy library and allows staff to enjoy uninterrupted break times. The Centre is a part of The Cathedral School community, one built upon the foundations of connection and strong relationships with our children and families.

We are currently seeking Childcare Educators for several positions. If you are ready to experience the joy of working in a wonderful Centre now is the time to join our team. The positions commence in July 2024 and conclude on 20 December 2024.

• Full-time maternity leave contract

What makes us stand apart and adds value to your day and employment:

• Competitive above award wages.
• 5 weeks closure over Christmas.
• 10 days off per year in addition to annual leave.
• Spacious learning spaces and playgrounds.
• Weekly team meeting time where room educators are relieved from class for collaborative discussion and reflection.
• Uninterrupted break times.
• Extensive ‘Toy library’ resource collection. Teachers and Lead Educators are relieved from class to borrow and return resources each week.
• Off-the floor, experienced Educational Leader who meets individually with Lead Educators and Teachers on a monthly basis.
• Fortnightly rotational roster to provide predictability of shifts

What can we offer you?

• Discounted childcare and school fees.
• Complimentary uniform shirt annually.
• Free annual flu shot.
• Designated professional development days and ongoing support from an accomplished Leadership team.
• Generous employer and employee super contribution scheme.
• Onsite car parking.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for team members and their families.
• Paid training for First Aid and CPR refreshers including asthma and anaphylaxis.
• All meal breaks covered by float staff.
• Discounted health fund membership.

Childcare Educators will be required to fulfil 2 main functions. These being:

• Provide a high level of education to assist each child to reach their full potential;
• Provide exceptional pastoral care.

Educators are to provide a safe, caring, and Christian environment which fosters and supports the learning and personal development of each child and are expected to support the aims of the school, its policies, and practices. In order to provide an excellent service and support the learning and personal development of each child, Educators will be required to participate and/or complete:

• Annual induction program covering child protection;
• Professional development including online portal training as required by the Centre;
• Attendance at staff meetings.

Assistant Educators are required to contribute to the provision of a quality education program by assisting and supporting the Lead Educators in the preparation of learning materials, working directly with students, assisting toileting, and dressing of students and participating fully in the programs and routines of The Cathedral School Early Learning Centre.

The key accountabilities for the position include:

Educational

• Be responsible for the group of children in your care.
• Implement programs for the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of the children in your care.
• Arrange for the use of the environment, equipment, furniture, toys, and consumables materials to meet the developmental needs of the children.
• Prepare and maintain materials required for the daily program, in collaboration with other Educators. 
• To maintain records and ensure they are kept up to date.
• Supervise all indoor and outdoor play areas to ensure healthy and safe practices.
• Assisting with the toilet training and toileting needs of children.
• To always maintain confidentiality in respect of children and their parents. To regard information learned about children and families in The Cathedral School Early Learning Centre as strictly confidential and not be discussed with anyone other than the Early Learning Coordinator/Childcare Coordinator.
• Be aware of special/additional needs, cultural, linguistic, religious, gender, language diversities and socio-economic differences and treat each child with dignity and respect.

Pastoral

• Observe and interpret children’s behaviour and appropriately communicate progress or problems to parents.
• Act as an appropriate role model and caregiver while supervising children at play and at during transitions.
• Engage and interact with children at their eye level.
• Assist in children’s arrivals and departures using appropriate communication skills to ease any anxieties of parents and/or children.
• Liaise with and support parents and actively encourage parent involvement.
• Encourage children to take responsibility for their own actions and make them aware of the need to show respect for others in interpersonal relationships.

Other

• Ensure all equipment, furniture, toys, and materials are maintained in a safe and hygienic condition at all times. Report any maintenance required to the Early Learning Coordinator/Childcare Coordinator.
• Work as part of the team to achieve Centre aims and objectives and develop co-operative relationships that ensure the smooth operation of the Centre.
• To provide feedback and input in the development of Centre policies and procedures and implement accordingly at all times.
• Be clear about action to be taken in the case of emergencies (e.g. accidents, fire, suspected child abuse and attempts at unauthorised removal of children from the Centre.
• Perform any other duties as directed by the Early Learning Coordinator/Childcare Coordinator or Head of Junior School.
• Participate in staff development days and parent information nights. Lead Educators are also required to participate in parent interviews.
• Staff meetings and professional development sessions are attended when instructed to attend.
• Childcare educators are required to complete cleaning tasks, including personal hygiene care of the children, sweeping, mopping, wiping benches as well as occasional food preparation and distribution.
• There is some lifting involved throughout the day from setting up and packing away the outside play area, carrying bedframes and lifting and carrying mops and buckets.

The Childcare Educator will be required to meet the following Essential Criteria and actively work towards obtaining the desired competencies, knowledge, and skills.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent as recognised by the Education & Care Services National Law Act / Education & Care Services Regulations is the minimum formal requirement. Staff working towards this qualification will also be considered.
• Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certificates.
• Valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card).
• A working knowledge of the current Education and Care Service Act and Education and Care Service Regulations is required.
• Complete yearly induction program.
• Complete yearly professional development programs.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of children.
• Ability to affirm the unique worth of each child.
• Advanced interpersonal, communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work as a team to receive feedback, instigate change.
• Ability to follow procedures and instructions.
• Ability to attend staff meetings.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative in daily routines/duties.

Desirable Qualifications, Competencies, Knowledge & Skills

• ICT skills and the ability to record ongoing observations and daily journals.
• Behaviour guidance skills.
• Ability to track and document children’s development throughout the year.
• Accept individual differences in ability, need and learning styles and always cater for these differences.
• Demonstrate abilities of reliability, tact, confidentiality, and discretion.
• Demonstrate initiative and flexibility in working with children.
• Ability to reflect and evaluate educational practices.
• Ability to transfer theory into practice.
• Attend professional development programs to enhance skills and knowledge.

Applying for the Position

We are looking for applicants who are strong team players and have a willingness to be 100% committed to working collaboratively with our staff to ensure that our Centre remains a great place to work and learn.

Applicants wishing to apply for the position are required to submit a cover letter and resume outlining their experience providing 3 work references to which the school can contact. We will assess applications as they arrive, so please apply today

10 June 2024Mundingburra Queensland, Australia