Assistant Director - Early Learning - Floor-Based Role

Shared Beginnings Pty Ltd; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ongoing professional development

Career progression

Paid staff meetings

Uniforms provided

Job summary

Shared Beginnings Early Learning is seeking an Assistant Director to lead from the floor, support educators and partner with the Centre Director on operations and quality practice.

You’ll work alongside children and educators, growing leadership skills without leaving daily centre life, while upholding strong relationships and a safe, stimulating learning environment.

Qualifications

• ACECQA-approved Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Experience as Room Leader or senior educator preferred.
• Strong knowledge of VEYLDF, NQF and NQS.
• Current WWCC and First Aid/CPR qualifications (or willingness to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Lead by example on the floor and support educators in daily practice.
• Mentor and guide staff to foster a positive team culture.
• Assist the Centre Director with day-to-day operations and staff wellbeing.
• Support quality learning through play-based, child-led programming.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety, ratios and regulatory requirements.
• Build strong relationships with children, families and the broader centre.

Skills

Leadership on floor

Mentoring staff

Communication

Organization

Problem-solving

WWCC

First Aid

CPR

VEYLDF knowledge

NQS knowledge

Education

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

Job description

Assistant Director - Early Learning - Floor-Based Role

Full-Time | Floor-Based Leadership Role

Lead from the Floor. Support Your Team. Make a Difference.

Are you an experienced early childhood educator ready to take the next step into leadership while still doing what you love most - working alongside children and educators?

Shared Beginnings Early Learning is looking for a passionate and confident Assistant Director to support the day-to-day leadership of our centre.

This is a hands-on, floor-based leadership position — not an off-the-floor administrative role. You’ll work directly within the centre alongside our educators and children while supporting the Centre Director with leadership, operations and quality practice.

At Shared Beginnings, our philosophy is simple: Play. Learn. Thrive.

About the Role

As our Assistant Director, you’ll be an important support to the Centre Director and wider team, helping create a positive, organised and high-quality environment for children, families and educators.

You’ll lead by example on the floor, build strong relationships across the centre and step into additional leadership responsibilities when required.

This role is perfect for an experienced Diploma-qualified educator or Room Leader who is ready to grow their leadership skills without stepping away from children and everyday centre life.

What You’ll Be Doing

Leadership & Team Support

• Work alongside educators on the floor and lead by example
• Support, mentor and guide educators in their everyday practice
• Assist the Centre Director with the day-to-day running of the service
• Help create a positive, collaborative and supportive team culture
• Step into additional leadership responsibilities when the Centre Director is unavailable
• Support smooth communication across rooms and the wider centre

Quality & Pedagogy

• Support high-quality, child-led and play-based learning
• Promote strong practice aligned with VEYLDF
• Support educators with programming, documentation and reflective practice
• Help embed the Shared Foundations Approach throughout the centre
• Contribute to continuous improvement and Assessment & Rating readiness

Compliance & Child Safety

• Champion child safety, wellbeing and active supervision
• Support compliance with the NQF, NQS, policies and regulatory requirements
• Assist with maintaining appropriate staffing and ratios throughout the day
• Model safe, professional and compliant practice
• Support the Centre Director with operational and compliance requirements as needed
• Build warm and genuine relationships with children and families
• Support positive communication between educators, families and centre leadership
• Help create a welcoming environment where every child feels safe, valued and supported
• Be a visible and approachable leadership presence throughout the centre

What You’ll Bring

• ACECQA-approved Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Previous Room Leader, senior educator or leadership experience is highly regarded
• Strong understanding of VEYLDF, NQF and NQS
• Confidence supporting and mentoring other educators
• Strong communication, organisation and problem‑solving skills
• Current Working With Children Check
• Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis qualifications (or willingness to obtain)
• A positive, hands‑on approach to leadership
• A genuine passion for children, educators and early childhood education

Why Join Shared Beginnings?

• Grow your leadership career while remaining connected to the floor
• Supportive Centre Director and wider leadership team
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Paid staff meetings - because your time matters
• Stylish uniforms for all those wonderfully messy days
• Be part of a growing early childhood organisation
• A workplace that values wellbeing, teamwork and positive leadership
• Make a meaningful difference for children and educators every day

If you’re ready for your next leadership step but aren’t ready to leave the magic of the floor behind, we’d love to hear from you.