Director | Nature-Based Community Early Learning Centre

Director | Nature-Based Community Early Learning Centre Small by design. Deeply connected.

Lead a nature-embedded early learning centre where children are known, educators are valued and community matters.

Barossa Valley Community Kids is seeking a Director who sees children as capable, nature as teacher and relationships as the foundation of quality.

Who We Are BVCK is a not-for-profit, community-governed early learning service with two classrooms and up to 40 children per day. Our size allows for meaningful relationships and visible leadership.

Our philosophy is grounded in Reggio Emilia, nature-based learning and authentic embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. We prioritise inquiry over worksheets and process over product.

We are entering our next chapter, strengthening culture, leadership clarity and long-term sustainability.

Why This Role Is Different This is not a corporate leadership position with multiple layers between you and impact.

You will lead an intentionally small service where your decisions shape culture directly. You will work alongside an engaged Committee and a passionate team to steward a centre grounded in belonging, nature and thoughtful practice.

If you are seeking influence, depth and alignment rather than scale, this role will resonate.

You will:

Workforce planning, recruitment and culture

Performance management and professional standards

Compliance with the National Quality Framework

Child safety and mandatory reporting obligations

Financial oversight and sustainability

Operational management and risk oversight

Centre vision, future planning and innovation

About You You are an experienced early childhood leader who:

Holds an approved qualification under the NQF

Demonstrates strong understanding of contemporary early childhood pedagogy

Builds trust through consistency, fairness and follow-through

Leads with warmth and emotional intelligence while maintaining clear professional boundaries

Values strong, respectful partnerships with families and understands that belonging is built daily

Prioritises staff wellbeing and growth, including professional development and reflective practice

Is confident having respectful, courageous conversations when needed

Understands governance boundaries within a community-governed service

Can manage operational complexity calmly and make disciplined, thoughtful decisions

Is motivated to strengthen centre vision, culture and long-term sustainability

You believe a great centre is both caring and well-led.

Why BVCK Small, intentionally designed two-room centre

Nature embedded daily, not as an add-on

Strong cultural commitment grounded in practice

Deep community connection

Engaged Committee committed to long-term sustainability and strong governance

A dedicated Educational Leader role supporting curriculum depth

Centre staff who are passionate about what they do

Opportunity to shape the next chapter of the service

Families describe our centre as warm, relational and deeply connected. We are committed to preserving that sense of belonging while building strong, sustainable leadership for the future.

If this philosophy aligns with how you lead and the kind of service you want to steward, we welcome your application.

Your application will include the following questions:

Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?

Have you worked in a role which requires a sound understanding of the National Quality Framework?

Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment?

Do you have a current Working With Children (WWC) Check?

What's your expected annual base salary?

How much notice are you required to give your current employer?

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