Director Castle Grounds Early Learning, Halls Head, WA
Lead with trust, autonomy and real influence, without the corporate grind. 100% off-the-floor leadership role with negotiable incentives. Build something meaningful and values-led in extraordinary facilities.
This role includes a negotiable salary and negotiable performance-based incentives, aligned to quality, leadership, team culture and positive impact — not just numbers.
If you are an experienced early childhood leader who believes that quality is built on relationships, trust and professional judgement — not micromanagement or box-ticking — this may be the role you?ve been waiting for.
Castle Grounds Early Learning (Halls Head) and Littlefarm Early Learning (Byford) are privately owned, values-driven early learning services seeking an exceptional Centre Director to lead one of our brand-new centres.
Applicants must hold a minimum Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
Candidates must have Australian work rights for this position.
Candidates must have a current Working With Children Check
Both services are currently under construction and offer a rare opportunity to be involved early:
Castle Grounds Early Learning – Halls Head: opening end of March (pending service approval)
Littlefarm Early Learning – Byford: opening end of April (pending service approval)
This is not a role where you inherit "how it?s always been done."
This is a role where you help shape how things should be done.
Why This Role Exists
We believe early childhood education should feel human— for children, educators and leaders alike.
In collaboration with children, families, educators and early childhood experts, we have developed our own Situation-Responsive Pedagogy. It is a living, evolving framework grounded in children?s voices, real experiences, relationships and context. It is not prescriptive, laminated or performative — and it continues to grow with the service.
At the heart of our philosophy is a simple daily question we genuinely return to:
How much positive impact have we had today?
As Centre Director, you will be actively involved in developing this pedagogy further, influencing real decisions and shaping how it lives in daily practice. Being listened to is not symbolic here — it is a core value.
About the Role
This is a senior leadership position with genuine scope, trust and influence.
As Centre Director, you will:
* Lead with warmth, clarity and strong relational skills
* Be visible, present and respected by children, families and educators
* Help shape and lead authentic community connections
* Build a calm, accountable and supportive team culture
* Mentor educators to grow confident, reflective practice
* Contribute meaningfully to pedagogical and organisational decision-making
* Balance compliance with common sense and professional judgement
* Protect time for children and educators by resisting over-documentation
* Oversee staffing, rostering, budgets and centre operations
* Use Kidsoft confidently, including administrative and invoicing functions
* Uphold the NQS and Regulations without losing the heart of the service
This is a 100% off-the-floor role, allowing you to focus on leadership, people, pedagogy and culture — not ratios.
As privately owned services, decisions are made personally, thoughtfully and quickly, without layers of corporate approval.
Our centres are intentionally designed, beautifully resourced environments where:
* Children are given time to play deeply and explore meaningfully
* Nature-based learning, animals, gardens and outdoor experiences are embedded
* Generously doubling outdoor space requirements
* Educators are trusted as capable professionals
* Pedagogy guides decisions — not trends or optics
* Children?s experiences come before perfect photos
* The facilities are extraordinary — but they exist to support practice, not overshadow it.
Who We\'re Looking For
This role will suit an experienced leader who:
* Has proven experience as a Centre Director or Assistant Director
* Has a minimum of 3-5 years leadership experience in early childhood services
* Leads calmly, collaboratively and decisively
* Is confident and a team player
* Is comfortable holding boundaries with warmth and clarity
* Believes in child-led learning and educator autonomy
* Has strong operational and compliance knowledge
* Wants to lead, not just administrate
* Has a current Working With Children Check
* This role will suit a leader who values a non-corporate, values-led environment over a compliance-only model.
What We Offer
* Negotiable salary with negotiable performance-based incentives
* Extraordinary Facilities
* Genuine professional autonomy and trust
* Supportive, aligned ownership and management team
* Privately owned services allowing for thoughtful and timely decisions
* The opportunity to build a service intentionally from the start
Unlock job insights
Salary match • Number of applicants • Skills match
Your application will include the following questions:
* Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
* Have you completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care?
* Do you have a current Working With Children (WWC) Check?
* How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
* Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment?
* Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment medical check?
* Do you have a current Australian driver\'s licence?
* Do you own or have regular access to a car?
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