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GREATER GEELONG: BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH ENTERPRISE, OPPORTUNITY AND INNOVATION IN A QUALITY ENVIRONMENT

POSITION TITLE: Early Childhood Educator POSITION NUMBER: 0091 DIVISION: Community Services DEPARTMENT: Family Services CLASSIFICATION: Band 4 REPORTS TO: Centre Director and Coordinator Early Childhood Education and Care DIRECTLY MANAGES: Students INTERNAL LIAISONS: CLAC staff, other Council departments EXTERNAL LIAISONS: Service users, local community and resource agencies, regional childcare centres DATE: May 2017

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

This position provides high quality child care in a centre based environment. It works cooperatively with a team of Early Childhood Educators and allied professionals to provide a safe, caring and educational environment for children attending the centre.

The position plans, implements and evaluates developmentally appropriate educational programs that reflect children’s needs and meet the requirements of the City of Greater Geelong, State Regulations and Commonwealth Government Guidelines, including the Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the National Quality Standards.

The position also supports the Centre Director with the efficient and effective management of the centre to ensure smooth daily operation.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibilities:

Provision of Education and Care 1. Ensure an inclusive, safe, caring and educational environment exists for all children and that the health and well being of each child is a priority. 2. Provide, implement and evaluate age and developmentally appropriate educational programs for all children, individually and in group situations. 3. Provide programs which assist children with additional needs to develop their skills and abilities within a supportive environment.

1 4. Provide a standard of care which is in accordance with Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012, Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010, Early Years Learning & Development Framework Victoria, Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, and National Quality Standards. 5. Maintain detailed developmental observations and records for each individual child to be used as a basis for individual and group programming.

Liaison and Resourcing 6. Liaise with parents for effective communication of details in relation to their children, and support families in their child rearing role. 7. Respond to enquiries relating to the programs, procedures and activities within the Centre. 8. Liaise with the Centre Director, other staff and resource agencies in regard to the development and needs of individual children. 9. Responsible for ensuring confidentiality, professionalism and discretion is maintained at all times. 10. Act as a resource for parents and the community through maintaining an awareness of community and support agencies. 11. Supervise and support students and participate in assessment and consultation with relevant training providers.

Team Building 12. Maintain a cooperative and flexible attitude towards the development of a motivated and professional team. 13. Assist in establishment of daily procedures, objectives and philosophies for the Centre. 14. Act as a resource to other staff in sharing program ideas, support and information exchange. 15. Attend staff and/or committee meetings and participate in project teams as required.

Administrative Support 16. Respond to enquires, orientate and enrol new families 17. Liaise with the Centre Manager regarding the purchase of materials/stocks and equipment. 18. In consultation with room staff, maintain the children’s portfolios and room plans. 19. Support and assist the Centre Director with general administration, including office-based duties. 20. Keep comprehensive children’s records, in line with the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012. 21. Assist in the implementation of the unit Business Plan and Marketing Strategy.

Professional Development 22. Assist with recommendations for policy and/or operational changes to the Centre. 23. Maintain professional knowledge, resources and skills through in-service education, sharing ideas, professional reading etc. 24. Actively participate and maintain a commitment to the National Quality Standards. 25. Promote and practice The Australian Early Childhood Association Code of Ethics. 26. Adhere to all Council’s policies and procedures relevant to this position. 27. Carry out other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role as directed from time to time.

Values:

Our values represent who we are and who we aspire to be. They are the tools to create the workplace culture we want. We are all accountable for this.

 Respect and encourage each other  Create a healthy and safe environment for all

2  Embrace new ideas and better ways to work  Make people the centre of our business

Risk Management and Occupational Health & Safety Responsibilities:

 Understand and comply with Council OHS policies, procedures and legislative requirements relevant to the position.  Perform work in a safe and appropriate manner.  Ensure behaviour does not discriminate, bully or harass others.  Take responsibility for own safety and that of others.  Proactively report any incidents, injuries, hazards or unsafe work practices.

The following general physical and functional requirements may apply to this position. Specific physical requirements will be attached if applicable.

 Manual handling tasks.  Prolonged periods of inactivity eg. sitting at the computer.  Regular keyboarding associated activities.  Long / short distance travel between sites.  Dealing with difficult clients and situations.  Demanding deadlines.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential:

1. Diploma of Children’s Services or equivalent. 2. All accreditations and certificates listed under Qualifications and Experience. 3. Sound knowledge of the development of children in the 0-6 years age group and proven ability to plan appropriate programs in relation to the Early Years Learning and Development Frameworks. 4. Ability to evaluate and make recommendations to the Centre Director on the planning and implementation of childcare programs within the centre. 5. Ability to identify Health and Safety issues pertaining to the work environment. 6. Demonstrated and well developed communication and interpersonal skills. 7. Ability to ensure confidentiality, professionalism and discretion are maintained at all times. 8. Ability to demonstrate initiative and flexibility.

Desirable:

9. Several years experience in a childcare centre. 10. Ability to guide and be a positive role model to students and room staff. 11. Certificate in Emergency Asthma Management (Asthma in Childcare).

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:

 Responsible for the effective planning, implementation and evaluation of child focused programs within the Centre.  Responsible for informing the Centre Director of any service developments, difficulties and opportunities.  May supervise students, under the guidance of the Centre Director.  Maintain records of appropriate educational programs based on written observations and evaluations of children’s development.

3  Undertake duties in accordance with all legislative requirements and Council policy.  Provide a safe and nurturing environment.  Contribute to the creation of a welcoming environment for families and community members using the centre.  Assist the team by supporting the Centre philosophy, goals and objectives, to promote the growth and development of all children on a daily and long term basis.  Assist with and participate in consultations with relevant referral agencies and specialists.  Maintain positive and effective communication with parents, staff, visitors, other agencies, government departments and staff from the City of Greater Geelong.  Accountable for creating and capturing accurate and complete records of the business activities related to this position, in accordance with approved policy and procedures. This is applicable to both hardcopy and electronic information, including email.

JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:

 Make recommendations to the Centre Director on the planning and implementation of childcare programs within the Centre.  Bring any Health and Safety or operational issues pertaining to their work environment. to the attention of the Centre Director.  Make decisions regarding children’s development and well-being.

SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

 Thorough knowledge of the development of children in the 0-6 years age group (within the context of their families and communities) and proven ability to plan appropriate programs.  Well developed skills in observing and interpreting children’s behavior and demonstrated ability to relate effectively to young children.  Sound knowledge of Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012, Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010, related legislation and Council’s OHS Policies, National Quality Standards, and a sound knowledge of the Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

 Ability to manage own time, organise tasks and assist with the supervision of room staff and students, as directed.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

 Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.  Demonstrated ability to be innovative within the program.  Demonstrated ability to be enthusiastic and self-motivated.  Demonstrated ability to work ethically at all times.  Well developed communication skills.  Positive approach to shared decision-making.  An understanding and acceptance of differing social and cultural values and attitudes to raising children.  Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with team members.  Ability to guide and be a positive role model to students and room staff.

4 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

 Diploma in Children’s Services or equivalent as required in accordance with Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012.  Current Level 2 First Aid and updated CPR.  Anaphylaxis Awareness (21827VIC) or First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis (21659VIC).  Current Working With Children’s Check.  Current Police Check (must be less than 6 months from date of issue).  Several years experience in a childcare setting is desirable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 Whilst staff will generally be working from one centre there are benefits for staff and the Centre in having staff work across all of the City’s Child Care Centres. Given this, the position is not tied to one location.

5 HOW TO APPLY

Applications close: 5:00pm Friday 15 September 2017

Contact Person: Michelle Secombe, Centre Director, 03 5272 4796

Submit your online application at https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/employment

If you are unable to submit an online application please send your application to:

Recruitment Administration Officer Organisation Development City of Greater Geelong PO Box 104 GEELONG VIC 3220

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