Lead Educator

Join our Community at Friends’ Early Learning Centre and Outside School Hours Care. Friends Early Learning Centre provides a warm, nurturing and inspiring environment where children are encouraged to learn, grow and develop through meaningful relationships and play-based experiences. As an integral part of The Friends' School, we believe every child is capable, curious and unique, and we are committed to supporting each child's individual learning journey from the very beginning. Our educators create rich learning experiences that foster confidence, creativity, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

Working in partnership with families, we provide a safe, inclusive and engaging environment where children feel valued, respected and empowered to explore the world around them. As part of The Friends' School, one of Tasmania's leading independent schools, Friends’ Early Learning and Outside School Hours Care programs are guided by the School's Quaker values of Integrity, Simplicity, Equality, Earthcare and Peace. These values are reflected in everything we do, from the way we build respectful relationships with children and families to the collaborative culture we foster amongst our team.

If you are passionate about early childhood education, inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, and believe in the extraordinary potential of every child, we'd love to hear from you. We are seeking experienced educators who are eager to work within a collaborative, values-driven community where children, families and educators learn and grow together.

Why Work at The Friends’ School?

• We recognise that our people are our greatest strength. That's why we are committed to providing a positive, supportive workplace where you can grow professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• As part of our team, you'll have access to:
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
• No cost use of Friends Health & Fitness (conditions apply)
• Financial & Family Benefits
• Staff discounts on school fees
• Paid parental leave
• Priority access to our Early Learning Centre and Outside School Hours Care, subject to availability

Professional Growth & Community

• Comprehensive induction and onboarding
• Ongoing professional learning and development opportunities
• Staff social events and community activities
• Opportunities to support outreach initiatives, including Relay for Life, Loui's Van and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood program

Join a school where your work is valued, your wellbeing matters and your contribution helps shape the lives of young people and the wider community.

About the Role

We are seeking passionate and dedicated Lead Educators to join Friends’ Early Learning, with two opportunities available across ongoing and fixed-term 12-month contracts. This is an opportunity to lead a team of educators in creating a welcoming, safe, engaging and inclusive learning environment where children feel valued and supported to thrive.

As a Lead Educator, you will lead the design, implementation and evaluation of high-quality educational programs that support children’s individual needs, interests and developmental outcomes. Through play-based learning, respectful relationships and developmentally responsive practices, you will foster children’s curiosity, wellbeing and love of learning. You will provide leadership and guidance to your team, build strong partnerships with families and contribute to a collaborative culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement.

Key Focus Areas

• Educational Leadership & Program Delivery: Lead the planning, implementation and evaluation of engaging, play-based educational programs that respond to children’s individual needs, interests and learning outcomes.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration: Guide, support and mentor educators, fostering a positive, professional and collaborative team culture that promotes high-quality practice.
• Child Development & Wellbeing: Build genuine, respectful relationships with children and families, supporting children’s holistic development, inclusion and wellbeing through responsive care and positive behaviour guidance.
• Child Safeguarding & Safety: Champion child safety and safeguarding practices, ensuring compliance with relevant policies, mandatory reporting obligations and health and safety requirements.
• Family Partnerships & Communication: Establish strong relationships with families and communicate regularly about children’s learning, development and progress.
• Continuous Improvement & Professional Practice: Contribute to reflective practice, professional learning and the ongoing development and implementation of the Quality Improvement Plan.

Essential Qualifications & Requirements

• A recognised Early Childhood Education and Care qualification that meets the requirements for a Lead Educator role under the applicable National Quality Framework.
• Current knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standard and relevant early childhood education and care regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing, documenting and evaluating developmentally appropriate, play-based educational programs.
• Proven ability to lead, support and collaborate effectively with a team of educators.
• Strong understanding of child development, positive behaviour guidance, inclusive practices and children’s health and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated commitment to child safeguarding, including an understanding of mandatory reporting obligations and child-safe practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• A commitment to reflective practice, continuous improvement and ongoing professional learning.
• Ability to maintain a safe, clean and well-organised learning environment while responding to children’s individual health, dietary, allergy and additional support needs.
• Current and appropriate registrations, checks and certifications required for employment in an early childhood education and care setting, including a valid Working with Vulnerable People registration and current first aid qualifications, as applicable.

A cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role, including relevant experience. Your current resume detailing qualifications, certifications, and employment history.