Deputy Centre Leader

Tzu Chi Foundation; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tzu Chi Foundation in Singapore seeks a Deputy Centre Leader to support the Centre Leader in delivering high‑quality early childhood education. You will lead pedagogy and operations, oversee curriculum and assessment, mentor educators, and maintain ECDA licensing compliance.

You will also manage daily operations, staff development, recruitment, and stakeholder engagement with parents and community partners to ensure centre excellence and strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Early Childhood Care & Education (Teaching) or equivalent.
• Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Centre Leadership (ADECL) or willingness to obtain.
• Minimum 4-5 years of relevant preschool teaching with supervisory/leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of ECDA regulations, licensing standards, and curriculum frameworks (NEL).
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire educators.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Organised, resilient, and adaptable with ability to handle multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Leader in driving the vision, mission, and strategic direction.
• Provide leadership in pedagogy and operations, aligned with ECDA and MOE requirements.
• Act as Centre Leader in their absence, assuming full leadership responsibilities.
• Lead specific domains or projects (e.g. inclusion, staff development, sustainability, digital initiatives).
• Oversee curriculum implementation, lesson planning, and assessment processes.
• Mentor and coach educators to adopt reflective and effective teaching practices.
• Observe classroom practices, provide professional feedback, and monitor children's learning outcomes.
• Promote innovation in teaching, inclusive practices, and quality learning environments.
• Manage day-to-day centre operations, including scheduling, deployment, facilities, and resources.
• Ensure compliance with ECDA licensing, health & safety, and quality standards.
• Support budgeting, procurement, and resource management.
• Oversee administrative records, including enrolment, staff files, and student documentation.
• Supervise, guide, and appraise teachers and support staff.
• Assist in staff recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Facilitate professional development, CPD opportunities, and learning communities.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional team culture.
• Build strong relationships with parents and caregivers through engagement programs.
• Liaise with community partners and external stakeholders to support holistic child development.
• Monitor centre KPIs and prepare reports for management and HQ.

Skills

Leadership

Pedagogical leadership

Staff development

Communication

Problem solving

Education

ECDA-recognised ECE degree

Advanced Diploma in Centre Leadership

Job description

The Deputy Centre Leader supports the Centre Leader in providing overall leadership, management, and supervision of the preschool, located in Yishun. The role ensures the smooth operation of the centre, high-quality teaching and learning, regulatory compliance, and positive stakeholder relationships. The Deputy Centre Leader acts as second in-command, stepping into the Centre Leader's role when required, and leads specific areas of responsibility to strengthen centre excellence.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Management

• Support the Centre Leader in driving the vision, mission, and strategic direction of the centre.
• Provide leadership in both pedagogy and operations, ensuring alignment with ECDA and MOE requirements.
• Act as Centre Leader in their absence, assuming full leadership responsibilities.
• Lead specific domains or projects as delegated (e.g. inclusion, staff development, sustainability, digital initiatives).

2. Curriculum & Pedagogical Leadership

• Oversee curriculum implementation, lesson planning, and assessment processes.
• Mentor and coach educators to adopt reflective and effective teaching practices.
• Observe classroom practices, provide professional feedback, and monitor children's learning outcomes.
• Promote innovation in teaching, inclusive practices, and quality learning environments.

3. Operational & Administrative Duties

• Manage day-to-day centre operations, including scheduling, deployment, facilities, and resources.
• Ensure compliance with ECDA licensing, health & safety, and quality standards.
• Support budgeting, procurement, and resource management.
• Oversee administrative records, including enrolment, staff files, and student documentation

4. Staff Management & Development

• Supervise, guide, and appraise teachers and support staff.
• Assist in staff recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Facilitate professional development, CPD opportunities, and learning communities.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional team culture

5. Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with parents and caregivers through regular communication and engagement programs.
• Organise and participate in parent-teacher meetings, centre events, and parent education workshops.
• Liaise with community partners, agencies, and external stakeholders to support holistic child development.

6. Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Monitor centre KPIs: enrolment, staff-child ratios, curriculum outcomes, parent satisfaction, staff retention.
• Support audits, inspections, and internal quality reviews.
• Collect and analyse data to inform decision-making and improvement plans.
• Prepare reports for management, HQ, or external agencies as required.

Qualifications & Skills

• Diploma/Degree in Early Childhood Care & Education (Teaching) or equivalent, recognised by ECDA.
• Completion of Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Centre Leadership (ADECL) or willingness to obtain within stipulated timeframe.
• Minimum 4-5 years of relevant experience in preschool teaching, with supervisory/leadership experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ECDA regulations, licensing standards, and curriculum frameworks (e.g. NEL Framework).
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire educators.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Organised, resilient, and adaptable, with ability to handle multiple priorities. Core Competencies:
• Leadership & Decision-Making
• Pedagogical Expertise
• People & Team Development
• Communication & Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement Mindset