CERT III - Early Childhood Educator (2027 start)

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Doveton College in Melbourne's southern suburbs is seeking an educator for its Early Learning Centre (ELC). The role focuses on delivering high-quality learning programs for 0–4/5 year olds within the ELC, in line with EYLF/NQF frameworks and child-safe practices.

You will work with a collaborative team and engage with families to support best outcomes for children. Key requirements include current First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma certifications, WWCC, and a Cert III in Children's Services,

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with children of all age groups in ELC
• Understanding of National Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Victorian EYLF/NQF
• First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma certifications current
• Current Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment and with families
• Commitment to ongoing professional learning and child safety

Responsibilities

• Document and analyse observational records for children in care
• Plan and deliver a developmentally appropriate program
• Contribute to the Quality Improvement Plan
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy in line with policies
• Support safe learning environments and OHS procedures
• Collaborate with director/educational leader and staff to ensure high-quality service delivery
• Engage with families to support child outcomes

Skills

First Aid & Anaphylaxis & Asthma certs

WWCC (working with children)

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Professional learning mindset

Calm and mature disposition

Education

Cert III in Children's Services

Job description

Occupation: Education and training

Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs

Reference: 1547589

Location Profile

Doveton College is a unique, diverse and vibrant learning community. It is unlike any other educational setting in Australia. Located in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Doveton College resides in one of the most disadvantaged metropolitan regions of Australia. It is the first of ten settings to be developed in association with the Colman Foundation, Our Place and the Department of Education.

Doveton College is complex in its operation; it seeks to support, foster and develop opportunities for all members of the Doveton Community including children, young people, and adults. The focus is on providing high quality teaching and learning programs for children and young people from 0 to 15 years old, with additional learning opportunities for parents and the wider community members. It provides a wide range of wrap-around educational, health and allied health services, Maternal and Child Health, and Adult Learning opportunities. Early Learning has an Exceeding Rating in all quality areas, operating a long day setting, with a focus on learning through play in a structured, appealing indoor/outdoor learning environment. Each week students from Foundation to Year 9 participate in the Doveton Engagement and Enrichment Program (DEEP) which operates as an extension to the school day and includes sports, performance, technology and artistic programs.

Doveton College is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention is paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, those with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability. Children are at the centre of all our decisions.

the potential of each of our children and young people to learn, to achieve and do their best

empowering all our children and young people to be curious, independent, happy and motivated to excel

a rigorous and dynamic curriculumto meet the needs of, and promote the growth of every child and young person

a strong learning culture and team approach, based on the values of Respect, Excellence, Empathy, Resilience, and Belonging

the belief that learning occurs in partnership with parents and families and the support of the community

The Early Learning Centre has been accredited twice with an ACECQA Excellence rating and currently holds an EXCEEDING rating. It comprises of three learning environments; a 0-3 year old room, 3 year old kinder room and a 4 year old kinder room. Each room is staffed with high quality educators, and ratios well above the minimum level required under national laws. A qualified ELC teacher implements a high quality education program for every 3 and 4 year old child, that is based upon theNational Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. Each room runs an indoor/outdoor program taking advantage of the bright airy rooms and the extensive outdoor opportunities that are accessible all year round.

The ELC is able to access programs in the College such as PMP (Perceptual Motor Program), Music and library. Administration services are provided to the ELC, enabling the educators to focus on the children in their care and the provision of high quality programs.

Selection Criteria

SC1Demonstrated experience, capacity and flexibility to work with children of all age groups within the ELC.

SC2Demonstrated knowledge of the National Early Years Learning Framework, Victoria Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standards and the capacity to contribute to the ELC Quality Improvement Plan.

SC3Demonstrated understanding of children's development and a capacity to use different approaches (such as adult led, child led and guided learning) in interactions with children.

SC4Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with children, families and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

SC5Ability to maintain a safe learning environment through understanding of appropriate policies and procedures and responsive decision making.

SC6Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth.

Role

The suitable candidate will:

• Hold current First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma certification
• Hold a current Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Display good written and verbal communication skills togetherwith the confidence to build positive relationships with children, colleagues, parents and families.
• Possess the ability to work professionally as part of a highly motivated and collaborative team.
• Demonstrate a willingness to be involved in all aspects of service delivery
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning through professional development
• Demonstrate a genuine interest and desire to facilitate the best possible outcomes for all children
• Possess a capacity for good judgement and a calm and mature disposition
• Hold the right to work in Australia
• Possess an excellent understanding of the EYLF and NQF
• Possess an excellent understanding of the Child Safe Standards and committed to upholding the rights of the child.
• Ensure that the Privacy Act is adhered to and that confidentiality is maintained at all times
• Participate in work plan reviews on a regular basis
• Availability to work all shifts from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• This position will require an additional 228 hours during school holiday periods.

Responsibilities

General responsibilities

• To be responsible to the director/educational leader in partnership with the room leader for regularly documenting and analysing individual observational records (anecdotal and learning snapshots) for the children in care.
• To be responsible to the director/educational leader in partnership with the room leader for planning and delivering a developmentally appropriate program for the children in their care through regular contribution to the possible pathways for planning and learning web.
• To actively participate in critical reflection on practice at team meetings (2X per term), within their assigned room (daily) and individually (weekly journal).
• To fulfil the requirements of the position of Nominated Supervisor or a person in day-to-day charge if requested and in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations.
• Act in accordance with the authority delegated by the approved provider (school principal), director/educational leader and operations manager (2IC) in dealing with situations of an urgent nature requiring immediate action, in order for the service to comply with the National Law and Regulations and OHS.
• Assist in ensuring the program operates within the requirements of the Regulations, the Act, the Quality Improvement Plan and policies and procedures of the service.
• Respect the confidentiality of information relating to parents and children and comply with the service's privacy policy.
• Be responsible for sharing the housekeeping tasks of preparation, hygiene, safety and packing away with other staff related to the program.
• Be actively involved in the development and implementation of the Quality Improvement Plan of the service.

Work cooperatively with the director/educational leader, and all staff to ensure the service operates in a safe work environment and that employees adhere to all service OHS safety procedures

Children

• In consultation with the educational leader, room leader, parents, children and other educators, assist with the planning and implementation of a culturally rich and welcoming learning environment.
• Offer learning experiences that are appropriate to the developmental needs and interests of all children including the provision of an accessible and inclusive program for children with a disability.
• In partnership with the director/educational leader and room leader, assist in developing, recording and maintaining, specific records for individual children.
• Actively maintaining daily compliance records such as toileting, sunscreen application, meals and sleep records.
• Assist in the provision of a safe, healthy and welcoming environment.
• Working with all staff to ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times.
• Assist in the orientation of new families to the service
• Support the participation of parents in the program.

Staff

• As part of a team, facilitate effective communication and assist in the day-to-day supervision of relevant staff/volunteers performing duties in the program for which the educator is working.
• Participate in regular performance reviews.
• Ensure Child Safe Standards and mandatory reporting requirements are followed at all times.
• Participate in discussions with relevant early childhood support services and other professional services and organisations within the community as required.
• Ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as aprons and disposable gloves are worn in relation to food handling as specified in the NQS to main the health and wellbeing of all members of the service community.
• Attend paid, outside of rostered hours team meetings as directed by the director/educational leader.

Who May Apply

• A relevant Cert III Qualification in Children's Services isdesirable for this position.
• First Aid Level 2 Certificate with anaphylaxis training

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces.It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines ).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [e-mail]

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees,including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Applications close Sunday 25 October 2026 at 11.59pm