Educational Leader – Inquiry-Based Early Learning

The Learning Space Early Education and Care; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 54,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Above-award remuneration

Job summary

The Learning Space Coburg, Melbourne, is seeking an experienced Educational Leader to guide inquiry-based curriculum and lead pedagogical practice. You will work with the Centre Manager and leadership team to strengthen the service's educational direction and support staff development.

This part-time role focuses on mentoring, curriculum planning and embedding EYLF, VEYLDF and NQS into everyday practice, while maintaining the Exceeding rating. A Bachelor in ECE is required, ACECQA-approved.

Qualifications

• Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education, approved by ACECQA.
• Demonstrated experience in an Educational Leader or comparable pedagogical leadership role.
• Strong practical experience in inquiry-based learning, project work and curriculum development.
• Excellent leadership, mentoring and coaching skills, with the ability to inspire and develop educators.
• A sound understanding of the EYLF, VEYLDF and National Quality Standard.
• Confidence leading critical reflection, professional dialogue and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication, organization and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine commitment to children's agency, curiosity, collaboration and meaningful learning.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development and implementation of a rich, inquiry-based curriculum that responds to children's interests, questions, ideas and working theories.
• Mentoring, coaching and inspiring educators to critically reflect on their practice and continually develop their professional capabilities.
• Supporting educators to design meaningful projects, investigations and learning experiences.
• Leading curriculum planning, pedagogical documentation and reflective practice across the service.
• Building a culture of professional dialogue, collaboration, research and continuous improvement.
• Supporting educators to embed the EYLF, VEYLDF and National Quality Standard into everyday practice.
• Working alongside our leadership team and pedagogical consultant to strengthen our approach to teaching and learning.
• Supporting the team to maintain and build upon the service's Exceeding NQS rating.

Skills

Educational leadership

Mentoring

Curriculum development

Inquiry-based learning

Project work

Communication

Education

Bachelor in ECE

Job description

Educational Leader – Inquiry-Based Early Learning

The Learning Space Early Education and Care – Coburg VIC

The Learning Space | Coburg, Melbourne VIC

Part-time | 3 days per week | Bachelor-qualified | Above-award remuneration

Lead the thinking. Inspire the practice. Make a difference.

At The Learning Space Coburg, we believe children are capable, curious and full of ideas. Our role as educators is to nurture that curiosity through meaningful relationships, rich environments and an inquiry-based approach to learning.

We are seeking an experienced, passionate Educational Leader who shares this philosophy and brings the pedagogical expertise and leadership skills to inspire educators, strengthen curriculum and drive continuous improvement.

Our Coburg service is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS), reflecting our commitment to quality early learning. We are looking for someone who can build on this foundation, lead thoughtful pedagogical practice and support our team to continually grow.

This is a dedicated Educational Leader position, working three days per week, with a clear focus on curriculum, mentoring and the quality of teaching and learning.

About the role

Working collaboratively with the Centre Manager and leadership team, you will lead and strengthen the pedagogical direction of our Coburg service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development and implementation of a rich, inquiry-based curriculum that responds to children's interests, questions, ideas and working theories.

• Mentoring, coaching and inspiring educators to critically reflect on their practice and continually develop their professional capabilities.

• Supporting educators to design meaningful projects, investigations and learning experiences.

• Leading curriculum planning, pedagogical documentation and reflective practice across the service.

• Building a culture of professional dialogue, collaboration, research and continuous improvement.

• Supporting educators to embed the EYLF, VEYLDF and National Quality Standard into everyday practice.

• Working alongside our leadership team and pedagogical consultant, Kelly Goodsir of KG Learning, to strengthen our approach to teaching and learning.

• Supporting the team to maintain and build upon the service's Exceeding NQS rating.

What we're looking for

We are looking for a confident pedagogical leader who combines strong theoretical knowledge with practical experience and excellent people skills.

You will have:

• A Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education, approved by ACECQA.

• Demonstrated experience in an Educational Leader or comparable pedagogical leadership role.

• Strong practical experience in inquiry-based learning, project work and curriculum development.

• Excellent leadership, mentoring and coaching skills, with the ability to inspire and develop educators.

• A sound understanding of the EYLF, VEYLDF and National Quality Standard.

• Confidence leading critical reflection, professional dialogue and continuous improvement.

• Strong communication, organization and relationship-building skills.

• A genuine commitment to children's agency, curiosity, collaboration and meaningful learning.

Above all, you will be someone who can articulate the thinking behind their pedagogical decisions, challenge conventional practice constructively and inspire educators to continually question, investigate and improve.

Why join The Learning Space?

At The Learning Space, pedagogy is at the heart of everything we do.

• A dedicated leadership role: Focus on curriculum, pedagogy and teaching and learning, without Assistant Centre Manager responsibilities.

• Three days per week: A part-time opportunity for an experienced leader seeking a meaningful and sustainable role.

• An established, Exceeding-rated service: Build on the strong foundations of our Coburg team and contribute to ongoing quality improvement.

• Professional mentoring: Work alongside Kelly Goodsir of KG Learning and a team committed to professional growth.

• A culture of inquiry: Be part of a service that values curiosity, research, reflection and innovative practice.

• Above-award remuneration: We recognise the expertise and leadership that an experienced Educational Leader brings.

• A supportive leadership team: Collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about quality early childhood education.

About The Learning Space

The Learning Space is committed to inquiry, relationships, community and recognising children as capable and competent learners.

Our approach draws on inquiry and project-based learning, reflective practice and research-informed pedagogy. Through our work with KG Learning, we support educators to strengthen their professional practice and create meaningful learning experiences for children.

We are committed to creating safe, inclusive environments where every child belongs and where educators are supported to continually learn and grow.

Child Safety and Wellbeing

At The Learning Space, we are committed to being a child safe organisation where the safety, wellbeing, dignity and rights of every child are paramount.

We are committed to upholding the Victorian Child Safe Standards and creating environments where children feel safe, respected, included and empowered to have a voice.

We expect all educators and leaders to actively contribute to a culture of child safety by:

• Embedding child safety and wellbeing into everyday practice, decision-making and professional conversations.

• Understanding and complying with the Victorian Child Safe Standards, our child safety policies and relevant legislative requirements.

• Promoting children's participation, agency and right to be heard.

• Recognising, responding to and reporting child safety concerns in accordance with our policies and legal obligations.

• Supporting culturally safe environments for Aboriginal children and inclusive environments for children from diverse backgrounds, abilities and circumstances.

• Modelling professional conduct and maintaining clear boundaries that protect children from harm.

As an Educational Leader, you will play an important role in ensuring child safety is embedded in our pedagogical culture and that educators understand their shared responsibility to protect children and promote their wellbeing.

The successful applicant must hold, or be willing to obtain, a valid Victorian Working with Children Check and meet all applicable suitability and screening requirements.

Ready to make a difference?

If you are an experienced, bachelor-qualified Educational Leader who is passionate about inquiry-based learning and knows how to inspire a team, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience leading inquiry-based curriculum, your approach to mentoring educators and why The Learning Space's philosophy resonates with you.

Bring your pedagogical expertise. Inspire our educators. Help children thrive.