Lead Educator

Explorers Early Learning; Geelong; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Explorers Early Learning invites you to join our brand-new Charlemont centre as a Lead Educator, shaping the room culture, routines and learning environments in a purpose-built 174-place setting.

You will lead with excellence, mentor educators, and foster meaningful relationships with children and families within a brand-new community. This is a founding team opportunity with strong career development under a values-driven culture.

Qualifications

• ACECQA-approved qualification (Diploma or higher).
• Previous experience working as a Lead Educator is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and support educators within an early learning setting.
• Passion for working with children, particularly children under 3 years old.
• Strong commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
• Current First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certifications.
• Working with Children Check, Mandatory Reporting & National Child Safety Training completion.
• Australian working rights.

Responsibilities

• Lead with Excellence: Champion high-quality practice through our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, guiding your team to deliver meaningful learning experiences.
• Build Connections: Establish strong, lasting relationships with children, families and your fellow educators, becoming a trusted leader in their early learning journey.
• Shape Something New: Play an important role in establishing your room's culture, routines and learning environments as part of a brand-new centre.
• Celebrate Milestones: Share in – and help shape – each child's growth, development and achievements.
• Foster Wonder: Create a safe, nurturing and inspiring space where creativity, curiosity and discovery can flourish.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Team leadership

Child safety

Education

ACECQA-approved qualification (Diploma or higher)

Job description

Where Careers in Early Learning Begin and Flourish

Be part of something special from the very beginning!

Join Explorers Early Learning at our brand-new Charlemont centre, a purpose-built 174-place early learning centre preparing to open its doors to the community.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our founding team and help bring a brand-new centre to life. As a Lead Educator, you'll play an important role in establishing a positive room culture, creating inspiring learning environments and supporting your team to deliver exceptional early learning experiences.

With our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum at the heart of everything we do, you'll have the opportunity to shape meaningful experiences, build strong relationships and help create a place where children, families and educators feel they belong.

As a Lead Educator You Will

• Lead with Excellence: Champion high-quality practice through our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, guiding your team to deliver meaningful learning experiences.
• Build Connections: Establish strong, lasting relationships with children, families and your fellow educators, becoming a trusted leader in their early learning journey.
• Shape Something New: Play an important role in establishing your room's culture, routines and learning environments as part of a brand-new centre.
• Celebrate Milestones: Share in – and help shape – each child's growth, development and achievements.
• Foster Wonder: Create a safe, nurturing and inspiring space where creativity, curiosity and discovery can flourish.

Skills & Experience

• ACECQA-approved qualification (Diploma or higher).
• Previous experience working as a Lead Educator is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and support educators within an early learning setting.
• Passion for working with children, particularly children under 3 years old.
• Strong commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
• Current First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis certifications.
• Working with Children Check, Mandatory Reporting & National Child Safety Training completion.
• 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.

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.

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.

At our new Charlemont centre, you'll have the opportunity to be part of the journey from day one, helping establish a welcoming community and creating an environment where children, families and educators can flourish.

Here, you're not just shaping children's futures. You're shaping your own – with 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 their child-safe responsibilities.

Help us bring our brand-new Charlemont centre to life. Build your career with Explorers. The future starts here.

T&Cs apply.