Early Childhood Educator

Explorers Early Learning; Geelong; On-site; AUD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above award rates

Monthly RDOs

Generous childcare fee discounts

Career pathways & professional dev (Ex

Explorers Star Program

Culture Club & team events

Employee retail discount program

Generous referral bonuses

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Explorers Early Learning invites applications for a Permanent Educator at our brand-new Armstrong Creek centre. You will deliver a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, foster strong connections with children and families, and celebrate each child’s milestones within a nurturing environment.

Join a values-driven team offering Above award rates, regular RDOs, childcare fee discounts, and clear career pathways including professional development through the Explorers Star Program.

Qualifications

• Passion for nursery-aged children and eagerness to contribute to early learning.
• Strong commitment to child safety, wellbeing and safeguarding policies.
• Completion of the National Child Safety Training (Foundations of Child Safety Training).
• Current First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certifications.
• Working with Children Check & Mandatory Reporting requirements.
• Australian working rights facilitating employment in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Excellence: implement Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum with high quality delivery.
• Build Connections: establish strong partnerships with children and families.
• Celebrate Milestones: support children's growth, development and achievements.
• Foster Wonder: create a safe, creative, and nurturing learning environment.

Skills

Passion for nursery-aged children

Child safety commitment

Education

ACECQA approved qualification (Cert III or higher)

Commercial Cookery qualification with chef experience in ECEC or Aged Care

Job description

Where Careers in Early Learning Begin and Flourish.

Join Explorers Early Learning at our brand-new Armstrong Creek centre as a Permanent Educator and help shape a warm, inspiring environment from the very beginning. Be part of an exciting new chapter as we open the doors to a purpose-built centre designed to spark curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning through our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum.

Applicants with a qualification in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent) and experience cooking in a childcare or aged care setting are encouraged to apply. This experience is highly advantageous and may open opportunities to contribute across both education and meal preparation within our centre.

As An Educator You Will

• Deliver Excellence: Inspire with our high-quality, Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum.
• Build Connections: Form lasting relationships with children and families, becoming a trusted partner in their early learning journey.
• Celebrate Milestones: Share in the joy of a child’s growth, development, and achievements.
• Foster Wonder: Create a safe, nurturing space where creativity and curiosity can flourish.

Benefits That Set Us Apart

• Above award rates
• Monthly RDOs to support work-life balance
• Generous childcare fee discounts
• Career pathways & professional development, including the Explorers Star Program
• Access to our Culture Club, recognition programs & fun team events
• Exclusive employee retail discount program
• Generous referral bonuses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing support

Skills & Experience

• ACECQA-approved qualification (Cert III or higher) or a qualification in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent) with experience as a Chef or Cook in an Early Childhood Education and Care or Aged Care setting
• Passion for working with Nursery-aged children
• Strong commitment to child safety and wellbeing
• Completion of the National Child Safety Training (Foundations of Child Safety Training)
• Current First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certifications
• Working with Children Check & Mandatory Reporting
• Australian working rights

About Explorers

At Explorers Early Learning, this isn’t just another job in childcare. It’s the beginning of a career with a founder-driven, women-led organisation created to raise the standard of early learning in Australia. When Lynda Salvo founded Explorers in 2004, her mission was simple but powerful: to build centres where children and educators could thrive together. That same mission continues today, with every decision focused on investing in the people who bring our centres to life.

Our brand-new Armstrong Creek centre offers the unique opportunity to help establish a positive team culture, build meaningful relationships with families from day one, and contribute to creating a vibrant learning community from the ground up.

Explorers is designed around people first, with a culture where belonging and joy are as essential as curriculum. Here, you’ll find mentoring, leadership development, and the encouragement to stretch into new opportunities. It’s not just about compliance or ticking boxes; it’s about giving you the tools, trust, and community to grow into the educator and leader you want to be.

When You Join Explorers, You’re Stepping Into

• A career pathway, not just a role - with leadership programs, mentoring, and funded professional development.
• A thriving peer community - collaborative, passionate, and connected across our centres.
• A values-driven culture - where curiosity, creativity, and care are celebrated every day.
• A joyful environment - where children’s wonder inspires your own.

Here, you’re not just shaping children’s futures. You’re shaping your own with the best opportunities to grow, belong, and lead in early education.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of any age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and culture.

Explorers Early Learning is a child-safe organisation. We are committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and expect all team members to uphold our child-safe responsibilities.

Build your career with Explorers Armstrong Creek. The future starts here.

T&Cs apply.