Full time / Full Time equivalent position to commence in 2025.
(Note: A shared part time position is possible for two suitable applicants. Please send through alternative proposals for consideration).
Email applications to:
Inquiries: Call Greg Crowe (President of the Executive Management) on 0409448614
Applications close 28 October 2024
Remuneration above the Educational Services (Teachers) Award.
Periwinkle is a well-established Steiner preschool in Sunrise Beach, Byron Bay. For the last 35 years it has offered a beautiful ‘home-away-from-home’ environment for children aged three to five years. Periwinkle values the importance of self-initiated play, artistic work, and household / gardening activities to meet the needs of this active and imitative stage of childhood. The daily rhythm explores the joyous and wondrous experience of the day, seasons, and special occasions through music, storytelling and family festival celebrations.
Periwinkle is currently seeking an experienced Steiner Early Childhood Teacher to take on the role of full time Director/Teacher.
Our education programs are guided by the indications of Rudolf Steiner and adhere to the National Quality Standards and Early Years Learning Framework.
The ideal candidate will be an accredited NSW Early Childhood Teacher with demonstrated experience in a Steiner preschool / kindergarten, a strong commitment to Steiner education, and team leadership skills and experience.
Key Selection Criteria
Amongst many skills candidates should possess:
- Demonstrated understanding of early childhood development and educational foundations, as outlined by Rudolf Steiner.
- Demonstrated experience leading a group of children consistent with the National Quality Framework.
- Demonstrated ability to empathetically establish a class community of children and families.
- The ability to engage and educate the parental community on early childhood development and Steiner educational foundations
- Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
- Evidence of ability to influence and motivate team members
- Proven commitment to reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
- The willingness to participate in all aspects of the Periwinkle community, including co-curricular activities such as festivals and open days
To apply, please forward:
- Cover letter, clearly outlining how you meet all the requirements of the role;
- Current CV detailing your qualifications and experience;
- Evidence of NESA accreditation (or evidence demonstrating eligibility) and experience / training in Steiner C. Education;
- Names and contact details of three professional referees;
Position Summary
Position Title: Early Childhood Teacher/Educational Leader/Nominated Supervisor
Responsible to: PMC/Guardians
Date: Term 1 2025
Qualifications: Approved Early Childhood Teaching qualification Award/Agreement: Education Services (Teachers) Award
Other Requirements: Current First Aid Certificate, Anaphylaxis Management and Emergency Asthma Management, Clear Working with Children Check (or equivalent), Current Child
Protection and Registration or Accreditation with the local teacher regulatory authority (if applicable).
At Periwinkle Preschool the Nominated Supervisor/ Educational Leader is responsible & provides active leadership for managing all day-to-day aspects of the education & care of the children, families and Educational Staff, thereby ensuring high quality education and care provision. The Nominated Supervisor/ Educational Leader is responsible to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, National Quality Standards and Educational frameworks governing Periwinkle Preschool alongside the Approved Provider (Parent Management Committee) & Administration Manager.
To allow the Nominated Supervisor/ Educational Leader to focus on the day-to-day Pedagogy of the centre, the Office Manager is employed to work collaboratively with the Nominated Supervisor & take responsibility for all administration tasks.
The Nominated Supervisor/Educational Leader is responsible for:
-Rudolf Steiner Educational programs that link to the NQS & EYLF
-Administration of medication to children while at the centre
-Supervision and safety of children
-Entry to and exit from the premises
-Sleep and rest
-Excursions
-Food Program
-Food for Celebrations & festivals
-Policies & Procedures
-Staffing
-Recruiting, mentoring the ECT & Educators
-Developing a collaborative team approach to support the children as active learners.
-Developing relationships that support and partner with families as the first teachers of their children.
-Meeting with prospective families to complete the enrollment process.
Accountabilities and Key Performance Indicators
-Influential Leadership & Quality Pedagogy Delivery at Periwinkle Preschool
-Act as a professional, responsive, and effective liaison point for parents focusing on positive and reciprocal relationships with families keeping them informed of service management decisions.
-Provide inspirational and professional leadership to build a culture of staff engagement and teamwork.
-Ensure programs and interactions ensure rights of children are upheld and child protection is paramount.
-Develop and maintain a learning community within the service where there is a culture of reflective
practice and ongoing learning to drive quality and continuous improvement.
-Build and develop a leadership team within the service to develop, deliver and monitor quality curriculum consistent with the Approved Learning Frameworks and NQS.
-Act as a change agent and effectively lead and manage change.
-Build positive relationships with local service providers and provide pathways for integrated service delivery where possible.
-Effectively foster relationships that build the profile of the service within the wider community and with strategic stakeholders.
-Maintain effective communication channels with your Approved Provider, Office Administrator and participate in regular professional supervision.
-Communicate organisational messages clearly and consistently with the staff team.
-Work in collaboration with the Room Leaders & Office Administrator to oversee the development, implementation, and reflection.
-A high-quality early childhood education and care program for all enrolled children that is consistent with: The service philosophy, policies and procedures, The National Quality Standards and Early Years Learning Framework.
Work collaboratively with the Office Administrator to:
Ensure and report on service compliance with the Education and Care Services National Regulations, Education and Care Services National Law and National Quality Standards including:
-Any relevant notifications required to be made to regulatory body.
-Informing Management Committee of all notifications or near miss events.
-Develop and maintain a Quality Improvement plan, including continual self- assessment of service against the National Regulations, National Law and National Quality Standards, including gaining staff and parent feedback regularly.
-Leading the service through the Assessment and Rating process including any appeals or feedback opportunities.
-Actively participate in Leadership Group meetings and activities.
Staff Management
-Manage recruitment of all Educational Staff.
-Develop and implement a staff orientation program ensuring familiarisation with all policies and procedures.
-Implement effective staff rosters that ensure ratio and qualification compliance.
-Monitor and manage all educational staff performance inclusive of:
- probationary assessment
- annual (minimum) performance appraisal
- individual learning and development plans for all
- Actively participate in the performance appraisal process of all educators & teachers and continuing professional development planning.
- Monitor and manage under performance of teachers & educators
- Support trainees (Diploma and/or Certificate III) study and assist their
- Ensure staff have a working knowledge of the Regulations and NQF and meet these guidelines in their work practices.
- Contribute positively and effectively to the team
Administrative Management
-Provide ongoing support and assistance to the Administration Officer and management committee in all areas of curriculum development and training, and any other areas as the need arises.
-Ensure the Approved Provider is informed of any problem arising, which would affect the children, service approval or rating, regulatory and legal compliance, or the smooth running of the service.
-Ensure effective enrolment meetings with all new families.
-Work collaboratively with the Administration Officer, Room Leaders & Educators to Implement and monitor and review risk management plan.
Education and Care of Children
-Act in a manner that promotes the best interests of the child.
-In conjunction with other educators, develop and implement a high-quality education and care curricula for all enrolled children that is consistent with:
-The service philosophy
-Procedures and policies
-Rudolf Steiner Early Childhood Curriculum
-The National Quality Standards
-Education and Care Services National Regulations
-Education and Care Services National Law
-Early Years Learning Framework.
-Support, lead and mentor other educators within the room to ensure the embedding of the Learning Framework within the curriculum to:
-Make learning visible
-Be documented and maintained on a cyclical basis and in a professional manner to a high- quality standard
-Be linked to the Approved Learning Framework outcomes and relevant early learning and development theories.
-Provide leadership and support in:
-Documentation of children and family information
-Observations of children
-Evaluation of observations and planning
-Implementation of plans
-Critical reflection of own and teams’ practice to guide future planning.
-Role model and engage children in learning opportunities that are responsive to:
-Meaningful moments
-Intentional and spontaneous interactions
-Children’s agency and choice
-Routine & Rhythms, Daily, Weekly, Seasonal
-Environmental sustainability.
Support and actively plan for an inclusive environment by:
-Supporting every child’s learning,
-Role modelling positive interactions,
-Respecting children’s similarities, differences, cultures and diversities,
-Maintaining each child’s dignity and the rights of each child,
-Responding to the emotional, social and wellbeing needs of each child,
-Providing physical care, assisting children in toileting, dressing and mealtimes; and viewing all these opportunities as teachable moments,
-Having an awareness of funding and structure of support available to assist children with additional needs
-Record children’s development and service planning to meet funding obligations for children with additional needs and provide a high-quality program.
-Support children’s individual wellbeing and comfort in sleep, rest and relaxation.
-Contribute to the development of an environment for children which:
-Is ready for operation at the beginning of each day
-Reflects children’s curiosity, exploration and problem solving
-Reflects goodness, beauty & truth as a valuable component in supporting the wellbeing of children and all who work at the preschool
-Acknowledges children as active learners.
-Provokes practices and discussions to support environmental sustainability.
-Ensure each child has a sense of Being, Belonging and Becoming within the service.
-Ensure that all records for the children in your group are maintained and up to date as per the service policies and the National Quality Standards.
Partnerships with Families:
-Demonstrate respect for the families’ role as the child’s first teacher.
-Build and maintain positive relationships with families of the service.
-Always ensure professional communication with families.
-Ensure parents are appropriately informed and consulted about the care of their children.
-Draw on the knowledge and experience of families to support their children’s learning.
-Engage in shared decision making with families.
-Always ensure professional communication with families and act as a resource to support not only the child but the whole family.
-In collaboration with other Room Leaders, support families to access inclusion support and assistance.
Partnerships with other Educators and Professionals:
-Build collaborative relationships with all staff in the service based on respect, trust and honesty. -Engage in professional conversations with other educators to enhance knowledge and practice. -E.G. Network Meetings with other community, based Preschools, SECA regional meetings, conferences
-Engage in professional conversations with other professionals as is appropriate.
-Acknowledge and support personal strengths, professional experience and team diversity.
Professional Conduct & Learning
-Work within the National Quality Framework, the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics, the service philosophy, policies and procedures.
-Consistently contribute as an effective leader
-Maintain awareness of contemporary Education and Care practice to inform quality service delivery.
-Actively participate in the performance appraisal process, both as a leader and as an employee.
-Engage in the service-learning community approach to ongoing professional learning.
-Consistently contribute & foster as an effective team member.
-Maintain awareness of contemporary Education and Care practice to inform quality service delivery.
-Actively participate in the performance appraisal process.
-Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional learning.
-Develop, assist, attend and contribute to family meetings, staff meetings, educational leader meetings and other whole of staff professional learning events.
-Undertake First Aid training (including training in Anaphylaxis Management and Emergency Asthma Management).
-Undertake approved child protection training.
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
-Work in a manner that does not pose a risk to self or others.
-Ensure a safe and healthy work environment at all times.
-Implement and monitor effective WHS practices in accordance with regulations, legislation and service policy.
-Collaborate with the Administration Officer to Understand, implement and review emergency management procedures as required.
-Ensure the service’s duty of care to children and their families is strictly maintained.
-Respond positively and consistently to children’s additional needs/ requirements – including diet / allergies and developmental.
Key Internal and External Stakeholders
Students Parents Staff
Parent Management Committee
-Form relationships with children which are comforting and nurturing.
-Protect children and their rights.
-Ensure that staff are providing a supportive educational environment.
-Develop and maintain positive relationships with families.
Share information with families relating to their child and the daily activities of the Preschool.
-Create a safe, supportive and informative environment for families.
-Act as a resource person for families.
-Provide leadership and mentoring to ECT & Educators to:
-Ensure the effective running of the room
-Ensure daily organisation of Educators
-Create a safe, supportive, stimulating, and educational environment for the children.
-Attend PMC meetings.
-Report on all matters relating To the education & care of the children and families
-Provide a written report for the AGM