Job Description

Job Details

Job Title: Early Childhood Teacher

Branch: Children and Family Services

Reports to: Centre Director

Date: October 2017

Position Purpose
The Children and Family Services Business Unit delivers a range of children and family services to the community
including long day care, preschool, family day care, early intervention, and supported playgroups across the Fairfield
Local Government Area.

The position of the Early Childhood Teacher has a legal obligation as a Responsible Person and/or Nominated
Supervisor of the service to ensure full compliance of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and
Education and Care Services National Law and the National Quality Standards.

The Early Childhood Teacher is responsible for overseeing the provision of a professional and developmentally sound
environment that is safe, nurturing, and culturally relevant and through regular evaluation of the program, meets the
social, emotional, physical, sensory, creative, cognitive, and language development needs of all children.

This position is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of innovative and inclusive teaching
and learning programs and plays an active role in the quality improvement plan for the centre. The ECT will collaborate
with the centre team to ensure the effective daily operation of the childcare service.

The position involves but is not limited to maintaining written records and documentation on each child’s
development, developing, implementing and evaluating centre programs and philosophies, review of policies and
procedures, developing reports for management, regular attendance at staff meetings, regular liaison with parents and
community stakeholders, and other administrative or project tasks as required. The Early Childhood Teacher is also the
Safety Advocate, Chief Fire Warden and Nominated First Aider for the service in the absence of the centre director.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential Criteria

 Considerable experience within an early childhood setting as a room/team leader.

 Demonstrated experience and understanding/knowledge in programming for children aged 0-5 years.
 Sound understanding of early childhood theory and curriculum planning for children aged 0-5 years
 Proven leadership and interpersonal skills
 Demonstrated ability to engage in reflective practice
 Demonstrated Judgement and Problem Solving Skills
 Comprehensive understanding and practical implementation of the National Quality Framework (NQF), the
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), Child Protection legislation and their implications on practice
(including approved Child Protection training)
 Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practice
 Understanding and practical implementation of Work Health and Safety Legislation

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Qualification Requirements

 Recognised university qualification in Early Childhood Education as approved by ACECQA.

 Registration with BOSTES as an accredited early childhood teacher
 Must be able to meet the minimum prescribed requirements of a Nominated Supervisor and Responsible
Person as per the Education and Care Services National Regulations
 Must hold a current Working with Children Check number (under the new WWCC system)

Desirable:
 A community language other than English
 Developed IT/Computer Skills
 Current Class C Driver's License
 Knowledge of local government
 Experience in policy development and review

1. Education
Children:
 To plan for and deliver a high quality educational program in consultation with key staff in line with early
childhood education theory and the Early Years Learning Framework
 Ensuring interpreted observations are evaluated according to early childhood theory and practice
 Refer, liaise, co-operate with appropriate specialist staff in relation to children's individual needs
 Observe, interpret and evaluate observations and maintain individual records
 An approach to children’s learning is flexible and interest-based.
 Support staff in their programming of individual children.
 Programming and planning for groups of children
 Create a learning environment that is culturally appropriate and is responsive to all the children's
developmental needs and interest

Staff
 To act as an appropriate role model and mentor for staff
 To take part in the performance review annually.
 Support and mentor staff in areas of programming and planning and evaluating.
 work cohesively with others

Parents
 Share knowledge of child development with parents
 Provide information on individual child's progress and guidance.
 Provide parents with information in relation to the local community, and support services available.
 Utilise child development knowledge to guide and support parents in decisions regarding their child's
development
 Encourage parent and family involvement in the centre program and events.

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 2. Communication
 Ensure confidentiality is maintained in relation to children, families and staff.
 Ensure staff work as an effective team.
 Provide opportunities to parents and staff to contribute program through discussions and staff
meeting agendas.
 Promote, encourage and enhance parent involvement.
 Liaise and communicate with community groups.
 Act as a resource person to the team and to families
 Knowledge and implementation of Council policy and procedure. Identify the need for centre
policies and procedures. Contribute to the formulation and implementation of policies.

 Administration and Policies

Record Keeping
 Maintain all records necessary for planning and documenting of children’s development needs i.e.
parents/staff communication forms, enrolment forms etc.
 Ensure all records are kept confidential.
 Carry out the role and responsibility of the Responsible person in the Directors absence.
 To be aware of sustainability and demonstrate that social environmental, economic and
governance issues have been considered and adequately addressed in all planning, decision making
and operational procedures.

Administration
 Maintain compliance with all rules, Regulations or Acts as specified by Government authorities
relating to issuing of licence (responsible person), and of Council’s policies and procedures.
 Completion of all regulatory and Council requirements, e.g. Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) as
required by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), Fairfield City
Council’s WHS system, Fairfield City Council’s HR policies and procedures, etc.
 Assist in the day to day operation of the service.
 Ensure that all parent money collected for fees e.g. waitlist/enrolment/bonds are immediately
receipted and attached to banking sheet.
 Supervise/prepare any necessary reports on all students and voluntary assistants working within
groups.

 Management and Organisation

Health and Safety
 To establish, maintain, update and ensure compliance and familiarisation of staff with regard to all
policies and procedures relating to health, hygiene, safety and nutrition
 Educate and role model a high level of hygiene practices to children
 To liaise, co-operate and refer to related community services and organisations, where appropriate,
regarding any attending child with special needs or disabilities.
 To participate and facilitate regular fire and emergency evacuation drills are carried out with all
children and staff in the Centre. (Minimum every 3 months)
 Ensure the total care of all children and staff in any emergency situation
 Support children’s individual wellbeing and comfort at the service particularly during safe
rest/sleep/relaxation times.
 Ensure that children attending the service rights are being protected.
 Notify and report on any child accidents and incidents in the centre. Administer first aid where
required.
Workplace, Health and Safety
 Day to day maintenance & implementation of the WHS Management System.
 Determining own work priorities on a daily and weekly basis.
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  Raising Corporate Corrective Actions and coordinating the procedure.
 Controlling and managing WHSMS documents to ensure consistency, uniformity and compliance
with legal requirements
 Long term planning and reviewing of the WHS Management System to ensure that it is being
implemented more effectively within the workplace.
 Report significant workplace incidents, which may potentially lead to a serious injury.
 Ensure service complies with WHS systems to ensure everyone’s safety. Complete (where
appropriate) all necessary documentation.
 Monitor children’s health, assessing and notifying in relation to children who develop an infectious
disease in line with Centre policy & procedure

Organisation
 Ensure the environment is set up in a developmentally appropriate and safe manner
 Ensure the safety and security of the centre at cessation of hours of operation (complete necessary
procedures for both AM/PM checks)
 Orderly storage of equipment, materials and resources in all communal storage/display areas.

Council
 Reports as required by Management, e.g.; monthly, biannually, etc.
 Actively participate in focus groups and other forums
 To be aware of sustainability and demonstrate that social environmental, economic and
governance issues have been considered and adequately addressed in all planning, decision making
and operational procedures.

3. General
 Comply with the requirements of Council’s Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS)
and fulfill relevant WHS responsibilities as per WHS-01.1.1 WHS Responsibility, Accountability and
Authority Guideline whilst employed by or acting on behalf of the Council.
 Comply with the reasonable requests and directions of management whilst employed by or acting
on behalf of the Council. This includes undertaking other task or duties that may be allocated
from time to time
 Comply with Council’s Code of Conduct, policy and procedures whilst employed by or acting on
behalf of Council.

Reporting Relationships
Direct: NIL
No. of Indirect: Child Care Worker, Childcare Assistant, Cook, trainee, Students and Volunteers

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Key Relationships
Internal Party Communicating with Nature of Communication
Interaction with other Council As required in relation to maintenance requirements and enquires.
Departments

Manager Children and Family Services As required for information sharing and task allocation

Coordinator, Children & Family As required for information sharing and task allocation
Services
Daily exchange of information to facilitate running of centre and care of
Staff children.

As required for referrals, follow up and advice on children with additional

Support Services staff, needs.

External Party Communicating with Nature of Communication

Customers/families Enrolment interviews, placements, answer any inquiries and concerns (Daily)

Community services Promote the service, refer families, access information, and liaise to meet
identified needs. (As required)

Other Childcare Services Information accessing and sharing

DEC and ACEQUA

Casual employment agency Booking of casual staff, providing feedback and addressing concerns (Daily)

TAFE/Universities Student Placements (As required)

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Position Dimensions

Budget :
Operating:
Staffing:

Signature Block

Occupant Date

Authorised by: (Manager) Date

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Job Specific Skill Skill Descriptor
Child development Planning and implementation of developmental programs, based on observation of
individual children; Observe and record children's growth, behaviour and
development; assist with the integration of children with special needs into the
program, guide children's behaviour and social development

Client interactions Respond and interact with children in the centre; assist children and parents on
arrival at centre; contribute to the establishment and maintenance of an effective
working relationship with parents/families; respond appropriately to parents;
maintain confidentiality.

Early childhood Plan activities using a variety of materials and equipment to develop good
teaching coordination, social skills, creativity, self-expression and an interest in learning;
promote language development and self-confidence through storytelling, drama,
music and discussions; observe children to evaluate and record their progress;,
recommend appropriate programs for further development; promote health and
safety concepts and social interaction with other children; discuss with parents and
other educators aspects of the child's development; discuss with parents the aims of
the education program; supervise and work with student teachers and trainee child
care workers.

Child Safety Understands and applies applicable safety standards to job function, environment
and physical amenities and performs duties in a safe manner; ensures safety
standards are maintained within the centre.

Interpersonal skills Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern and politeness
to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include
effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile or distressed; relates
well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to
cultural diversity, race, gender and other individual differences.
Problem solving Identifies and analyses problems within scope of position; distinguishes between
relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions; provides solutions to
individual problems; considers risk and evaluates and chooses the best alternative in
order to make a determination or solve a problem

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