Group Leader

As a Group Leader at Pinjarra, you are responsible for the well-being of children and families, program management, staff supervision, and administrative and maintenance tasks to ensure the delivery of a suitable and sustainable service that meets the community's needs.

The Group Leader will work collaboratively with management and educators to support educational consistency, family engagement, continuity of care practices, and ongoing quality improvement initiatives across the service.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Children’s Services or equivalent; and
• Minimum five years equivalent work experience

Other Requirements

• ACECQA approved current First Aid Certificate, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Management Training
• Clear Working With Children Check
• ACECQA approved Child Protection Training
• Current driver’s licence
• Attendance at out of hours meetings, training and service functions

General Responsibilities

• To always ensure the safety and welfare of children
• To provide care for children aged (0-5) in the centre, ensuring they have routine, hygiene and recreational activities
• Support children to develop cooperative behaviour
• To supervise children in groups of up to (20)
• To ensure that a vibrant, interesting, varied and appropriate children’s curriculum program is supported and implemented to meet the ongoing needs of individual children and in consultation with families
• To work in accordance with the requirements of the Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Act 2010 and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 and the National Quality Standard for Early Education
• To work in accordance with the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics and The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• To implement the service’s philosophy in undertaking all other duties
• To comply with the policies and procedures of the organisation
• Provide ongoing support and assistance to management in all areas of administrative procedures, curriculum development, parent and community liaison, staff professional development and training and other areas as the need arises
• Orientate new staff and assist in the professional development of staff in consultation with the owner/manager
• Hold regular staff meetings to facilitate effective communication, staff development, and discussions on the Service's management and programming
• Supervise the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) requirements of the Service, addressing or reporting any safety or health issues
• Ensure accurate reporting for accidents, illness, trauma or injury, medication administration, and critical accidents
• Ensure parents complete appropriate enrolment forms and maintain records in accordance with relevant legislation
• Follow up and investigate any parent complaint or feedback and report any serious complaints to the owner/manager
• Facilitate and assess the implementation of the Service's annual goals and objectives
• Support the implementation of consistent educational practices across the service
• Mentor and support educators in curriculum planning, observations, and reflective practice
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) goals
• Support continuity of care practices and positive transitions between rooms and age groups
• Communicate effectively with families regarding children’s learning, development, and daily experiences
• Assist with orientation and onboarding processes for new educators and families
• Assist management in maintaining consistent routines, practices, and communication across the service
• Contribute to maintaining a positive, collaborative, and professional team environment

Key Accountabilities: Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Highly developed pedagogical leadership skills
• Sound observation and reporting skills
• Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation, verbal and written communication skills
• Effective operational, supervisory and human resources management skills
• Effective time management skills
• Ability to improve systems and processes
• Well-developed keyboard, computer and software package skills
• Ability to interact with children in a positive, sensitive and respectful manner
• Ability to assist families in a sensitive, supportive and professional manner
• Ability to cope effectively in an emergency or stressful situation
• Sound knowledge of relevant state and federal government legal compliance requirements relating to children services
• Sound knowledge of the National Quality Framework
• Good knowledge of the responsibilities of the employer and employee under the Workplace, Health and Safety Legislation
• Knowledge of and commitment to the principles of equal opportunity
• Risk management and notification of authorities in the event of an emergency situation affecting children, staff or visitors to the service