Position Title:
Classification:
Incumbent: / Early Childhood Educator – Degree
As per LGECEEA
Vacant
Directorate:
Department:
Section: / Community Programs
Youth and Family Services
Early Childhood Services
Date:
Prepared by: / December 2014
Early Childhood Services Operations Coordinator
Banyule City Council: / Banyule City Council is an award winning organisation that prides itself on a customer-focused culture of innovation, best practice and continuous improvement. We uphold an enviable reputation for customer serviceand work diligently to maintain high quality services to provide the best possible opportunities and outcomes for the community we represent.
Departmental Overview: / Banyule Early Childhood Services is committed to professionalism and advocacy for children and families. Our services are inclusive, recognising diversity within an environment where staff, children and families experience a sense of belonging. We believe that all children learn through play, and through our services we will demonstrate a respect for the environment.
Position Objectives: /
  • To be responsible for the education and care of pre-school children (3-5 years old)
  • To provide an innovative and culturally appropriate program that assists the overall development of individual children.
  • To provide safe, high quality and planned care and education to the children in line with the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010; Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011; Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework; and the National Quality Framework

Our Values: / All Banyule staff are to adopt the key values of Working Together Working Better and strive to meet these behaviours in carrying out their duties. Our core values are:
RESPECT is characterised by supporting each individual’s dignity and worth.
INTEGRITY is the quality of staying true to our moral, ethical, and spiritual principles.
RESPONSIBILITY is acknowledging and accepting the choices we make, the actions we take, and the results they lead to.
INITIATIVE is characterised by having a proactive, resourceful and persistent approach to work.
INCLUSION is characterised by embracing and valuing the perspectives and contributions of all.
Key Responsibility Areas: / General Responsibilities
  • To be responsible for the planning and daily operation of the kindergarten program as it relates to the children, families, staff; service delivery, and administration of the program.
  • The Early Childhood Educator (Degree) is accountable for delivering on Schedule 5- Roles and Responsibilities and Schedule 6- Teacher Standards under the Local Government Early Childhood Education Employees’ Agreement (2009).
  • To contribute to early childhood services planning process to enhance the quality, responsiveness and viability of the kindergarten program.
  • To provide leadership within the curriculum and work as a member of the broader Early Childhood Services team.
  • To be aware of the relevant Legislation, Regulations and Funding requirements and ensure the kindergarten program and staff actions are consistent with Early Childhood Services Policies and Procedures, Funding and Regulatory requirements.
  • To communicate effectively with families and promote information exchange via information sessions, Family-Early Childhood Educator interviews, newsletters, noticeboards, etc. Provide regular opportunities for families to discuss progress, concerns and other issues relation to their child.
  • To act as the Nominated Supervisor to manage and control the centre in the proprietor’s absence in accordance with the Education and Care Services National Law Act (2010); Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011).
  • To advise and inform Council of all matters pertaining to the effective operation of the service.
  • To be responsible for daily tasks including preparation, hygiene, safety and packing away, with other staff related to the daily program.
  • To deliver a service and standard of practice that aligns with the professional standards across the three domains as specified in the Local Government Early Childhood Education Employees’ Agreement (2009).
  • Other duties as directed by Council peripheral to the position.
Specific Responsibilities
Children
  • To develop, implement and evaluate an educational curriculum for children in consultation with children, families and staff. The educational curriculum will be appropriate to the individual developmental needs and interests of the children; will reflect the early childhood services philosophy; policies; the needs of the community; and will be culturally appropriate. It will also reflect and incorporate the Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
  • To maintain the necessary written learning records of children, programs and planning specified in the Regulations.
  • To provide a healthy, safe and welcoming environment.
  • To discuss the needs of families and children with staff to enable them to work effectively with the child and family maintaining confidentiality at all times.
  • Referral of children to other support agencies in consultation and agreement with families.
Educators
  • To work co-operatively with the educators providing support, information and direction as required.
  • To support the development of a collaborative team culture that aligns with Banyule City Council’s Code of Conduct; Organisational ; the ECS philosophy; and service goals.
  • To be responsible for the day to day supervision of educators, provision of regular feedback regarding performance and the completion and review of annual staff development plans and position descriptions (as necessary).
  • To coordinate (as required) and attend service specific and early childhood services staff meetings to facilitate effective communication; provision of staff inservicing; professional development; and general discussions that support service planning, quality and operational requirements.
  • To coordinate, supervise and assess students on placement at the kindergarten/kindergarten room.
  • To coordinate the recruitment of staff (as required) completing all relevant documentation that support merit based selection.
Families
  • To communicate effectively with families regarding children’s developmental needs utilising a range of communication methods to meet individual communication needs and preferences.
  • To provide regular open sessions with families and educators to keep them informed of issues pertaining to the curriculum, including an evaluation of past activities and a calendar of future events.
  • To ensure that new families are appropriately enrolled and orientated to the service.
  • To actively encourage families to contribute to policy development / review; service delivery; the service philosophy; and the development of the curriculum/program.
    Refer and resource families to appropriate Community Services (as required). Inform the service coordinator of any concerns regarding a child and/or the family.
  • To access interpreter service/onsite/telephone as the need arises for any new or existing families.
Administration
  • To diligently complete all relevant documentation and records in line with legislative and regulatory requirements, including program planning, accident/illness; attendance; and medication records.
  • To be aware of, understand and implement relevant Council and early childhood services policies and procedures.
  • In consultation with the Coordinator prepare monthly reports, outlining the operations of the service for the previous month.
  • Maintain learning journals and other program documentation. Prepare School Transition reports in partnership with families – support families to understand and complete the transition report (as required).
  • Ensure all elements of the National Quality Framework; Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework; and the Citizenship framework are implemented within the program; and educators are supported to understand and implement these frameworks.
  • To purchase necessary materials and equipment from program costs, Iesip, equipment and donation ledgers to meet program needs, having consideration for budgetary constraints in consultation with the Coordinator.
  • Actively participate in Council’s quality accreditation process (Best Value Plus) in relation to quality, OHS and the environment. Contribute to the preparation and participate in internal and external audit processes.
  • Critically review Early Childhood Services Policies and Procedures as part of the annual review process, having consideration for current research and best practise.
Professional Development and Promotion of the Service
  • To keep informed of current children’s services issues, trends and research developments.
  • To actively participate in local community services and Prep Early Childhood Educator networks.
  • To liaise with relevant Early Childhood Support Services and other professional services/ organisations within the community to ensure the needs of children and families are addressed.
  • To participate in scheduled Early Childhood Services Professional Development days; Combined Staff Meetings and other Professional Development sessions as per staff development plan throughout the year.
  • Any additional Professional Development days should be identified at the beginning of the calendar year in consultation with the ECS Operations Coordinator.
  • To actively promote kindergarten within the local community via a range of mediums e.g. meetings, flyers, letter drops, community events, festivals, etc.

Flexibility / Our Enterprise Agreement encourages workforce flexibility and acknowledges:
  • That change in the workplace is ongoing and a degree of flexibility needs to be inherent in order to operate efficiently and respond to customer needs.
  • Commitment to improving the skills and competencies of staff by offering opportunities wherever practicable to transfer or rotate throughout Council and providing training as necessary to fulfil the position.

Organisational Relationships: / Position Reports to:Centre Coordinator’s
Supervises: Early Childhood Educators- Certificate 3
Internal Liaisons:Early Childhood Services Coordinator, ECS, Operations Coordinator, ECS Staff, Relevant staff from other CouncilDepartments, Banyule Youth & Family Services team
External Liaisons: Residents, parents & community
groups. Local Primary Schools. Organizations which provide Early Childhood Services. Universities, Colleges and other training facilities.
Accountability and Extent of Authority: /
  • The Early Childhood Educator is directly accountable to the West Heidelberg Centre Coordinator and is required to regularly report on program objectives, Early Childhood Services objectives and organisational goals.
  • The Early Childhood Educator (Degree) is accountable for delivering on Schedule 5- Roles and Responsibilities and Schedule 6- Early Childhood Educator Standards under the Local Government Early Childhood Education Employees’ Agreement (2009).
  • The position is accountable for the efficient and effective delivery of the kindergarten program within the service, within the confines of budget and consistent with Early Childhood Service Policy.
  • The Early Childhood Educator has the authority to take such action as is necessary to ensure the health and safety of children and their families are maintained within the centre and on approved activities outside the centre.
  • The Early Childhood Educator may make recommendations to the ECS Operations Coordinator or ECS Coordinator on matters relevant to the operation of the service.
  • Undertake a lead role in contributing to improved service quality via the identification and minimisation of risks at the service (i.e. service unit risk analysis); implementing Best Value Plus principles and participating in annual auditing processes.
  • Implement responsible budget management systems and processes.
  • To participate in planning, developing and reviewing corporate and Early Childhood Services Policies, Procedures and Staff Handbook.
  • Authority to purchase equipment and resources in consultation with the West Heidelberg Centre Coordinator.
  • To embrace the Banyule City Council workplace values, lead by example and actively encourage internal and external relationships which reflect those values.
  • Required to participate in the formulation and implementation of unit policy, Municipal Early Years Plan objectives and Citizenship Framework.

Judgment and Decision Making: /
  • Make decisions in relation to areas of direct responsibility.
  • To contribute to the daily operation of the service and to advise the West Heidelberg Centre Coordinator of any pertinent issues within a reasonable timeframe.
  • To ensure that appropriate decisions are made and action taken in an emergency or potentially dangerous situation.
  • Decision making within the context of the Education and Care Services National Law Act (2010); Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011), using professional knowledge and experience to provide appropriate advice and guidance to families and children.

Specialist Knowledge and Skills: /
  • A sound understanding and knowledge of early childhood development and education. Ability to develop, implement and review a high quality, innovative educational program for 3-5 year olds.
  • The ability to engage parents in the program is essential.
  • Administrative, time and workload management skills are further requirements of this position.
  • Knowledge of service delivery networks and resources available to support at risk children and children with additional needs.
  • Knowledge of Mandatory Reporting and Child Protection Issues.
  • Sound understanding of the Education and Care Services National Law Act (2010); Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011);Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework; and the National Quality Framework
  • Ability to deliver an inclusive program that embraces diversity
  • Capacity to deliver a high quality service that aligns with attained teaching level as outlined in the professional teaching standards (graduate, accomplished, exemplary)
  • Experience in or aptitude for working with children 3-5 years in a kindergarten program including children with special needs and from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Management Skills: /
  • Ability to manage time, set priorities, plan and organise workload to enable quality service to be delivered.
  • Ability to provide leadership and work co-operatively within a team.
  • Recruitment skills for selection of staff.
  • Basic accounting skills.
  • Report writing skills.

Interpersonal Skills: /
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively with families, professionals, and people from diverse socio economic and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Non-judgemental attitude when dealing with children and families
  • Leadership and self-motivation skills.
  • Ability to work ethically and maintain confidentiality at all times.
  • Conflict management skills.

Qualifications and Experience: /
  • A tertiary qualification in Early Childhood Education (Degree in Early Childhood) or qualifications deemed appropriate by the Australian Early Childhood Association are minimum requirements.
  • Current First Aid certificate; working with children check; and Anaphylaxis (mandatory)
  • Asthma; and police check (desirable)

Key Selection Criteria
(Candidates please address this section in your covering letter)
Note: All applicants will be subject to a National Criminal History Records Check. You may also be required to provide a Working with Children Check card
  • Knowledge of the National Quality Framework, Education and Care Services National law Act (2010),Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
  • Awareness of the cultural needs of families.
  • Ability to manage time effectively.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks.
  • Ability to maintain written records and write reports relating to program goals and child development.

Environmental and Sustainability Requirements: /
  • Adhere to Council’s Environment Policy and Environment Strategy
  • Adhere to Council’s Sustainability Code of Practice and Environmental Purchasing Guidelines

OH&S and Other Risk Requirements: /
  • Ensure a safe and healthy environment by fulfilling the responsibilities and requirements of Council’s health and safety system and health and wellbeing program.
  • Exercise reasonable care to prevent injury to him/herself and others whom may be affected by his/her duties and actions.
  • Exercise due care for Council property for which this position is responsible or issued.

Banyule Management System: /
  • Conduct all work according to the requirements of the Banyule Management System, incorporating the Banyule Management Manual and Service Unit specific Quality and Cost Standards and procedures.
  • The Banyule Management System incorporates Council’s Quality, Environmental and OH&S Management Systems

Relevant Physical Requirements

Load / Rarely/Never
0% / Intermittent/Occasional
1-33% / Frequent
34-66% / Constant
67-100%
  • Sitting
/ Includes sitting on floor with children and on chairs at children’s table / 
  • Standing
/ 
  • Twisting
/ Usually from seated position / 
  • Bending
/ 
  • Pushing/pulling
/ 
  • Lifting/carrying
/ Children of 20 kg on own,
Furniture or equipment up to 30 kg with assistance / 
  • Repeat arm movements
/ 
  • Reaching (specify direction, range of bilateral/unilateral
/ Across table of approx. 50 cm and no higher than shoulder height / 
  • Climbing
/ 
  • Kneeling
/ 
  • Hand dexterity
/ 
  • Visual acuity
/ 
  • Hearing acuity
/ 

SIGNED:______

DATE:______

Human Resources / 13721 Early Childhood Educator - Degree (KinderTeacher) / AUSInfo Ref: / Last Amended: 28.05.2014 / Page: 1of 8