POSITION TITLE: / Early Childhood Centre Manager/Teacher
POSITION NUMBER: / 2527
CLASSIFICATION/BAND: / Salary will be in line with the Local Government Early Childhood Education Employees’ Agreement 2009
STATUS: / Permanent full-time position
DIVISION: / Community Services
DEPARTMENT: / Family Services
APPROVED BY: / Irena Bilic
DATE APPROVED: / 13 October 2014
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
To be responsible for the efficient and effective management of the integrated children’s centre, under the direction of the Coordinator, Integrated Children’s Centres.
To lead a multi-disciplinary team of early childhood professionals, including maternal and child health nurses and educators, that complies with City of Greater Geelong policies and procedures and relevant State and Commonwealth Government regulations and legislation.
To plan, implement and evaluate a high quality innovative and culturally responsive educational program that supports a holistic, family-centred approach to the education and development of individual children.
To provide pedagogical leadership and develop quality improvement processes within the centre.
THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG:
The City of Greater Geelong is one of the largest local government areas in Victoria. The City provides more than 120 services to the municipality which has a population of more than 200,000. The City has an annual budget of $229 million and employs over 2000 staff. It also utilises a large number of volunteers.
The city of Greater Geelong has a large and increasing population of young children with over 13,000 children aged 0-4 years and over 10,000 children aged between 5-8 years. There are over 400 local services for young children and families located within the municipality.
The organisation has five divisions: Community Services; Corporate Services; Economic Development, Planning and Tourism; City Services and Projects, Recreation and Central Geelong.
Geelong:
Located 75 kilometres from Melbourne, Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city and is renowned for its stunning north facing waterfront which overlooks Corio Bay. Geelong is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a relaxed coastal flavour. It is recognised as offering one of the best lifestyles in Australia. Geelong has all the modern amenities of larger cities, combined with a clean and healthy environment.
Just minutes away from the city centre are kilometres of pristine beaches, charming seaside townships and unspoilt rural hinterland.
Geelong is also the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road and some of the best surf beaches in the world.
The City offers excellent educational opportunities. Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, The Gordon and Deakin University are just some of the schools and tertiary institutions in the region.
ORGANISATION ENVIRONMENT:
Geelong is among the largest of 79 Councils which collectively represent approximately 5 million Victorians. While each Council is independent, there are common rules, mainly in the form of State Legislation, which provide the framework in which Councils operate.
Our Vision:
Geelong: building our community through enterprise, opportunity and innovation in a quality environment.
Our Mission:
We will focus on developing and maintaining effective working relationships to deliver Council's strategic directions and high quality services that meet the changing needs of our community.
Values and Behaviours:
Values form the basis of our behaviour; they add meaning to work and they provide a basis for consistent planning and decision making across the organisation. The City of Greater Geelong aims to foster a culture that embraces the organisation values being Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Respect. All employees should demonstrate the behaviours that come from these values when carrying out their work.
INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S CENTRES
The City of Greater Geelong has expressed its commitment to the development of ‘integrated service delivery’ for children within its Municipal Early Years Plan 2013-2017: A Place for Us. The Plan highlights the importance of integrated service delivery for improving outcomes for young children and their families through professionals and services ‘working together’ to promote more efficient, accessible and responsive service delivery for families with young children. Similarly, the Municipal Children’s Services Infrastructure Plan 2013-2030, outlines the Council’s commitment to the development of integrated early years services within community-based centres, where possible and practicable.
The Boorai Centre Ocean Grove opened in January 2014 as the first integrated children’s centre within the City of Greater Geelong. It brings together, within an integrated practice model, a range of education, health, support and community services for children, including education and care (long day care, occasional care and kindergarten services), maternal and child health, parenting support, family support, allied health, early intervention and other specialist support services.
Four new integrated children’s centres will be opening early in 2015 in Barwon Heads, Grovedale, Norlane and Leopold.
ORGANISATION RELATIONSHIP:
This position is part of the Community Services Division which comprises the following Departments:
· Family Services
· Community Development
· Arts and Culture
· Health and Local Laws
· Aged and Disability Services
Reports To: / Coordinator Integrated Children’s CentresDirectly Manages: / Early Childhood Educators, Students
Internal Liaisons: / Centre-based staff, Family Services staff
External Liaisons: / Children and families using the centre, local community agencies, primary schools, early intervention and disability support services, community members
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Centre Management
1. Lead a multi-disciplinary team and work closely with parents and other agencies to plan, develop and deliver a wide range of high quality, integrated early childhood education, health, social support, early intervention, and information services for children and families.
2. Facilitate the development of a centre culture and service systems that actively promote multi-disciplinary practice, integration and professional learning amongst staff.
3. Build collaborative practices between early education and care services and key stakeholder groups and organisations, including Maternal Child Health, and Family Support Services, to address vulnerability within the community.
4. Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of a high quality education and care service, in accordance with the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and the National Quality Framework, within the practice context of an integrated children’s centre model.
5. Coordinate the efficient administrative functioning of the centre, including the overall management of parent accounts, the hire agreement process, client data management, meeting scheduling and other administrative processes.
6. Implement procedures, practices and guidelines for the integrated service, participating in the ongoing review and development of these systems.
7. Proactively engage local schools, agencies and community groups with the operation of and planning for the centre, attending local advisory group and other community meetings as directed.
8. Ensure adequate levels of education and care service staffing within the centre (in line with the National Regulations), including managing rosters, meeting schedules, timesheets, leave applications and other relevant processes.
9. Support the Coordinator, Integrated Children’s Centres with the development and implementation of data collection and financial reporting processes, in line with reporting requirements, outcomes measurement and evaluation frameworks.
10. Coordinate the development and implementation of the Quality Improvement Plan and broader strategic plan for the centre.
11. Manage and oversee the maintenance of health and safety standards (including the development of hazard identification and risk management processes) within the centre, in line with the National Quality Framework, Council policy and relevant health and safety plans.
12. Coordinate the identification of emerging needs and service gaps for the centre, in consultation with children, parents, community stakeholders and the centre advisory group.
Staff management
13. Undertake staff recruitment, induction, line management and training for early childhood educators working within the centre, as directed by the Coordinator, Integrated Children’s Services .
14. Provide supervision, support and mentoring to centre-based staff.
15. Support education and care staff in the development and implementation of high quality learning and development programs for children from 0 to 6 years, in line with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Framework and other relevant policies.
16. Support all centre-based staff in the delivery of a high quality, integrated service response to children and families within the context of their culture and community, Child and Family Centre.
17. Undertake the roles and responsibilities of the nominated educational leader within the centre, actively promoting reflective practice, knowledge exchange and evidence-based practice.
Provision of Education
18. To develop, implement and evaluate an education program that reflects individual children, family and community needs and complies with the centre’s philosophy, the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, City of Greater Geelong policies and procedures, State and Commonwealth Government Guidelines, Education and Care Services National Law, Education and Care Services Regulations and National Quality Standards.
19. To effectively support children to develop their social, emotional, cognitive, language, fine-motor and gross-motor competencies.
20. Establish a holistic service model which enhances the development and well-being of children including liaising with relevant support and professional services, facilitating parent engagement, and delivering an innovative program that responds to the specific needs of local children and the community.
21. Ensure a safe and stimulating learning environment exists for all children and that the health and well being of each child is a priority.
22. Ensure supervision of children is active, adequate and efficient at all times and implement and maintain clear expectations for children when establishing limits for appropriate behaviour.
23. Provide access for the inclusion and support of children with additional needs and/or vulnerabilities, liaising with support staff in the planning and implementation of appropriate learning and support plans.
24. Coordinate and participate in multi-disciplinary clinical and planning meetings for centre-based staff, building a culture of collaborative, integrated practice within the centre.
Professional Development
25. Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge, resources and skills through in-service education, attendance at multi-disciplinary meetings and other professional development opportunities.
26. Maintain qualifications essential for the role.
27. Adhere to all Council’s policies and procedures as relevant to this position.
28. Carry out other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role as directed
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential:
1. Tertiary qualifications (Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or equivalent).
2. Significant experience in providing high quality education programs to pre-school children.
3. Experience in providing leadership and professional support to staff within a children’s service.
4. Thorough understanding of legislation, regulations, policies and frameworks relevant to the provision of children’s services.
5. Sound knowledge of the development and needs of children in the 0-6 years age group, within the context of their culture and community, and a proven ability to plan appropriate education and development programs in line with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage staff and coordinate operational and administrative processes within a children’s service.
7. Experience in identifying opportunities for and implementing quality improvements within programs or services.
8. Sound understanding of the principles of integrated service delivery and an ability to undertake a leadership role within an integrated service model.
9. Ability to identify, develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
10. Ability to undertake consultations with children, parents and the local community in relation to the review and development of programs and services within the centre.
11. Sound understanding of vulnerability and risk indicators for young children, within the context of their family, culture and community, as well as an ability to undertake appropriate action in response to the needs of vulnerable or at risk children.
12. Demonstrated ability to promote teamwork and the exchange of learning between professionals from a range of professional backgrounds.
13. Ability to identify Health and Safety issues or concerns relating to the service delivery environment and to manage risk accordingly.
14. Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality, professionalism and discretion at all times.
15. Current National Police Check and Working with Children Checks.
16. Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
17. All candidates should display integrity, responsibility, respect for others and the ability to be innovative.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:
· Accountable for the overall coordination of the operational and administrative functioning of the centre, under the direction of the Coordinator, Integrated Children’s Services.
· Responsible for the recruitment, management, supervision and mentoring of centre-based staff, under the direction of the Manager, Child and Family Centre.
· Responsible for ensuring the implementation of and compliance with all relevant legislative requirements and Council policies, relating to the operation of the centre.
· Responsible for ensuring adequate levels of education and care service staffing within the centre (in line with the National Regulations), including managing rosters, meeting schedules, timesheets, leave applications and other relevant processes.
· Assist with the development and implementation of data collection and financial reporting processes, in line with reporting requirements, outcomes measurement and evaluation frameworks.
· Responsible for providing advice and support in relation to the development and enhancement of programs and services for children and their families in order to provide better outcomes for children.
· Responsible for the effective planning, development and implementation of an education program within the Centre.
· Accountable for the confidentiality of all department, Council and client related information within the control of the position.
· Accountable and direct input into policy development and implementation in relation to centre activities
· Responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Department’s OH&S system, including policies, procedures, work systems, certification, training and advice.
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:
· Ability to work under limited supervision and use professional knowledge and experience in making decisions and assessments.
· Ability to make recommendations in relation to the planning, implementation and evaluation of education programs within the Centre.
· Ability to provide advice and input into the review and development of policies and procedures relating to the efficient operation of the child and family centre.
· Ability to make informed decisions that impact on staff, customers, Council and the community