Early Childhood Educator

Little Zaks; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Worker Retention Bonus (15%)

Rotating rosters

Competitive remuneration

Staff childcare discount

Wellbeing day

Health and wellness allowance

Employee referral bonus

EAP/Sonder wellbeing support

Paid staff meetings with dinner

Induction and onboarding

Mentoring and buddy system

Pay for progression (Certificates and

Strong career progression

Job summary

Little Zak's Academy in Thornton NSW is hiring passionate Early Childhood Educators to contribute to a high-quality learning environment at our Thornton 2 service (2 Avondale Dr, Thornton NSW 2322). You will facilitate play-based learning, collaborate with a supportive team, and engage families through clear communication.

The role requires active involvement in program planning, safety practices, and ongoing professional growth, with strong mentoring and structured onboarding for new staff.

Qualifications

• Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or ACECQA approved
• Current Working with Children Check
• Working knowledge of National Quality Framework, National Regulations and EYLF
• Nurture authentic connections with children and families via interaction and documentation
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• First Aid certificate or willingness to obtain one

Responsibilities

• Facilitate learning experiences for your allocated group of children
• Be part of a collaborative teaching environment
• Maintain effective communication with parents throughout the service
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs
• Create a friendly, secure and stimulating interactive learning environment
• Maintain positive working relationships with all team members

Skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Flexibility

Education

Certificate III/Diploma in Early Childhood Education & Care

Job description

• Rotating rosters with flexibility depending on your needs
• Modern, purpose built centre + inclusive, supportive team & leadership
• Get mentored by our experienced centre management to implement/develop programs

• Rotating rosters with flexibility depending on your needs
• Modern, purpose built centre + inclusive, supportive team & leadership
• Get mentored by our experienced centre management to implement/develop programs

Little Zak's Academyis privately owned and family run. Our aim is to provide early childhood care and education in a safe, welcoming, adopting and nurturing environment.

Our staff are dedicated professionals who value the importance of maintaining an optimum level of care and education for all children. We select our staff based on knowledge and values, vision for children and learning, and commitment to families.

We are seeking passionate and experienced Early Childhood Educatorsto join our Thornton 2 service (2 Avondale Dr, Thornton NSW 2322) and continue building on this high-quality learning environment.

Why Join Us?

• We are proud to be part of the Australian Government’s Worker Retention Payment program.Eligible team members at Little Zak's Academy now receive an additional 15% on top of award rates. The Australian Government announced that the Worker Retention Payment program would be extended until 30 June 2028, continuing to support wage increases for eligible early childhood educators.Little Zak's Academy was one of the first approved providers nationally to participate in this initiative, ensuring our team could access these additional benefits from the commencement of the program.
• Rotating rosters to support work life balance
• Competitive remunerationdepending on your qualification and experience
• Up to50 percent staff childcare discount
• Paidwellbeing dayeach year for permanent staff (after 12 months)
• Health and wellness allowance reimbursing up to$50 per month(gym, pool, wellness memberships)
• $1,000 employee referral bonusfor each successful referral
• Employee Assistance Program viaSonder, offering unlimited confidential counselling and wellbeing support
• Paid staff meetings, including dinner provided
• Paid off-floor induction with structured onboarding and training
• Mentoring and buddy system for all new starters
• Study support throughPay for Progression, including Certificate III, Diploma, and Early Childhood Teaching pathways (T&Cs apply)
• Strong promote-from-within culture with long-term career opportunities

About the role:

• Facilitate the learning experiences for your allocated group of children
• Be part of a collaborative teaching environment
• Maintain effective communication with the parents throughout the service
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs
• Create a friendly, secure and stimulating interactive learning environment
• Maintain positive working relationships with all team members
• Ensure a high level of health & safety standards are maintained at all times

About you:

• Certificate III/Diploma in Early Childhood Education & Care (or working towards or ACECQA approved)
• Current Working with Children Check
• Working knowledge of the National Quality Framework including: National Regulations, National Quality Standards (NQS), Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
• Nurture authentic connections with our children and families through interaction, curriculum and documentation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain one

Little Zak's Child Safety Commitment

Little Zak’s Academy is a Child Safe Organisation.

We prioritise the safety, wellbeing, and rights of all children and maintain a strong culture of child safety across our services. As part of our commitment, we have a rigorous recruitment and screening process in place, including comprehensive reference checks, Police checks and child-safe employment checks.

By applying for a role with Little Zak’s Academy, you acknowledge and agree to undergo all required child safety checks as part of our employment process.

We are an equal opportunity workplace where diversity is embraced. We foster a culture that supports inclusion and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.