ECT | Director | Not-for-profit | Willoughby

Willoughby Community Preschool is looking for an inspiring, experienced and passionate Nominated Supervisor / Educational Leader to join and lead our much loved not-for-profit community LDC Preschool, commencing 18th January 2027. Our Preschool operates 48 weeks per year 8:00am-4:00pm and is licensed for 45 children a day.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a well-established, not-for-profit preschool with a proud history, a dedicated team of educators and a supportive community.

We are seeking someone who combines strong leadership and management skills with warmth, initiative and a genuine passion for early childhood education. If you are ready to make a genuine impact on the children, educators, and families within our community, we'd love to hear from you.

Why you'll love this role?

• Make a difference at a highly regarded preschool at the heart of the local community
• Competitive salary package of $150,000 + superannuation (based on experience and qualifications)
• Autonomy to lead and shape the preschool
• Long-term career with a purpose-driven organisation

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Director who will embrace our Philosophy and Values: Inclusive, Innovative and Collaborative while providing the confident leadership needed to guide our preschool into the future. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will balance educational excellence with the practical responsibilities of managing a successful early childhood service.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leadership and staff management: Lead, mentor and support our experienced team, fostering a positive, professional and collaborative workplace culture.
• Operational management: Oversee the day-to-day running of the preschool, including staffing, rosters, enrolments, administration and resources.
• Financial management: Work collaboratively and closely with the supportive parent Management Committee to develop and manage budgets, monitor expenditure and support the preschool's long-term financial sustainability.
• Educational excellence: Support a high-quality inclusive and innovative educational program and guide continuous improvement across the preschool.
• Compliance and child safety: Ensure the preschool meets its regulatory obligations, maintain the SAT & QIP and highest standards of safety, wellbeing and care.
• Family relationships: Build strong partnerships with families and work collaboratively with our Management Committee.
• Community involvement: Help coordinate and participate in working bees, fundraising initiatives, social events and committee meetings, including occasional out of hours work.

What you'll bring

• A Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or an ACECQA-recognised equivalent qualification, NESA accredited.
• Experience in an early childhood leadership role, ideally as a Director or senior leader with management responsibilities.
• Strong leadership, communication and people management skills, with experience mentoring educators.
• Excellent organisational, administrative and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with budgeting, financial oversight and operational planning.
• Strong understanding of the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standards and Early Years Learning Framework.
• Commitment to inclusive, high-quality education and child safety.
• Passion to be actively involved in the wider preschool community, including occasional events outside normal operating hours.
• Current NSW Working with Children Check, National Police Criminal History check, relevant first aid qualifications, relevant immunisation certificates, and mandatory child safety and protection training certificates.
• Be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Apply now

If you're ready to lead a preschool where children, families and educators genuinely feel they belong, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your resume and cover letter, outlining your experience, leadership approach and interest in Willoughby Community Preschool, to: director@wcp.org.au. Please list 2 referees. When submitting application, include in the heading of your email the answer to: What is the capital of Italy?

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

Our Child Safe Statement of Commitment

Our Service, educators and staff are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We understand our responsibilities and statutory duty of care to implement the National Child Safe Principles and embed the Child Safe Standards to prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse. We are committed to implementing our Child Safe Environment Policy incorporating the NSW Child Safe Standards, to prevent and respond to safety concerns, including allegations of child abuse. We are committed to implementing our Child Safe Environment Policy and Child Protection Policy to promote a culture of safety, transparency and accountability. These policies reinforce our zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and raise awareness about the importance of protecting children who have experienced or are at risk of significant harm, abuse or neglect within our Service and the broader community.