Centre Manager- Croydon (Brand New Centre)

Village Early Education; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading early childhood education provider in Croydon is seeking an experienced Centre Manager to lead a new brand-new centre opening in January 2026. The role involves overseeing daily operations, compliance, and team culture while building a supportive environment for children and families. Ideal candidates will have leadership experience, relevant qualifications, and a passion for early childhood education. Competitive salary and professional development opportunities available.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Extensive professional development opportunities

Childcare fee discounts

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years as a Nominated Supervisor or 5 years in a senior leadership role within early childhood service.
• Strong understanding of compliance systems/software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and ensure compliance with National Law and Regulations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a strong team of educators.
• Drive recruitment strategies and maintain parent engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team Management

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or equivalent

Current First Aid certification

Valid Working With Children Check or VIT Registration

Job description

Centre Manager- Croydon (Brand New Centre)

Exciting Leadership Opportunity – Where We Grow Together!

Village Early Education is thrilled to be opening a brand-new, purpose-built centre in Croydon, Melbourne, and we are seeking an experienced and passionate Centre Manager / Nominated Supervisor to lead our team from January 2026.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape a state-of-the-art early education service from its very foundations, building a culture of excellence, guiding a dedicated team, and creating a warm and empowering environment where children, families, and educators grow together.

About the Role

As the Centre Manager, you will be instrumental in the successful opening and ongoing leadership of our new Croydon service. You will oversee daily operations, compliance, educational programs, and team culture, ensuring the centre launches smoothly and thrives long‑term.

Village Early Education is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We understand our responsibilities and statutory duty of care and are committed to raising awareness about the importance of child safety in our organisation and our communities, which is essential for promoting healthy and safe learning environments for children.

We believe in building healthy, thriving communities, where early learning is valued, educators are empowered, and families feel truly supported.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of day‑to‑day operations and ensure full compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.

Establish processes and environments aligned with the National Quality Framework (NQF) and support the service in meeting Quality Areas 3, 6, and 7.

Leadership & Team Management

Lead, mentor, and develop a strong team of Community Leaders, an Administrative Assistant, and educators.

Foster a collaborative and engaged team culture built on communication, trust, and shared vision.

Recruitment & Staffing

Drive recruitment strategies and select high‑quality educators.

Support professional development, performance growth, and long‑term staff retention.

Parent Engagement & Occupancy

Conduct centre tours, convert enquiries to enrolments, and maintain ongoing relationships with families.

Create a welcoming, supportive environment where parents feel confident and connected.

Budgeting & Reporting

Oversee the centre budget, monitor financial performance, and report on occupancy, compliance, and service outcomes.

Health, Safety & Risk Management

Implement robust safety procedures and collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure the centre is safe, compliant, and well‑maintained.

Key Qualifications & Experience

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (or ACECQA‑approved equivalent).

Current First Aid, Anaphylaxis, and Emergency Asthma training.

Valid Working With Children Check or VIT Registration.

Accredited Child Protection Training.

Experience

Minimum 3 years as a Nominated Supervisor or 5 years in a senior leadership role within an early childhood service.

Strong understanding of CCS, Arrival (Kindergarten Compliance), and compliance systems/software.

Leadership Skills

Demonstrated ability to lead high‑performing teams, manage service operations, and implement quality improvement strategies.

Proven experience in budgeting, occupancy management, and maintaining NQF compliance.

Communication

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in managing parent partnerships, addressing concerns, and leading teams.

What We Offer

A unique, community‑focused leadership model designed to support and uplift every member of our organisation.

Competitive salary based on experience, qualifications, and performance.

Extensive professional development opportunities within a growing organisation.

The chance to shape a brand‑new service and embed culture, values, and excellence from day one.

Genuine career advancement pathways.

Employee wellbeing initiatives including EAP access, paid First Aid, and flu vaccinations.

Childcare fee discounts for your own family.

Paid staff meetings and high‑quality uniforms provided.

A warm, collaborative team environment where your contributions truly matter.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a brand‑new centre and make a meaningful impact from the very beginning. If you are an experienced, passionate, and values‑driven leader in early childhood education, we would love to hear from you.

Join Village Early Education, Croydon — and help us shape the future of early childhood education, where we grow together.

Application Questions

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following First Aid accreditations do you currently hold?
• How many years' experience do you have as a Nominated Supervisor?
• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
• Do you have a current Working With Children (WWC) Check?
• Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment?
• Have you completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care?
• Do you have experience planning and implementing education programs in an early learning environment?
• How many years' experience do you have as an early childhood educator?