Lead Educator - Caloundra area (Sunshine Coast)
Are you an experienced Lead Educator in early childhood education and care looking for balance, growth, and a supportive team? This is your chance to join a highly regarded early learning service in the Caloundra area on the Sunshine Coast, supporting around 180 children aged 05 years. The centre is rated Meeting National Quality Standard and loved by families for its warm, welcoming environment, natural play spaces, and passionate educators.
Why this role stands out:
- Salary that reflects your expertise: $34-$42 per hour (above-award, based on experience), including WRG
- Work-life balance: additional annual leave options and supportive rosters
- Career development: fully funded Diploma, scholarships towards Bachelor studies, and pathways to Educational Leader and Centre Manager roles
- Professional support: paid professional development, mentoring, and a leadership team that listens
- Well-being is a huge focus on core values: gym partnerships, 75+ retailer discounts, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
- Family perks: 50% childcare discount for your children, with no waiting period
- Inspiring environments: spacious outdoor play areas (including water play), contemporary learning resources, and constant updates to resources
- Outstanding Community reputation: families praise caring educators, strong communication, and 10/10 food (Google reviews, September 2025)
As Lead Educator, you will create engaging, play-based programs, guide the planning cycle, and coach your team to deliver excellence. You will partner with families, foster children's learning, and contribute to a thriving early learning community in Caloundra.
What you bring:
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education (or ACECQA-approved equivalent), completed before October 2025
- At least 12 months of experience leading a room or team in an Australian early childhood education and care setting
- Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis training, valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check), and other compliance documentation as required
- Confidence in engaging families, building relationships, and coaching educators to grow in their roles
- Strong knowledge of the planning cycle, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standard (NQS)
- Availability for full-time hours and ability to work across a rotating roster
Why partner with Early Years Talent?
At Early Years Talent, we do more than post jobs. We champion educators and act as your advocate throughout the recruitment process. When you apply through us, you gain:
- Access to opportunities you will not see advertised elsewhere; we partner with high-quality services that trust us with exclusive roles
- Career coaching and interview preparation, from refining your CV to practising common interview questions, we help you put your best foot forward
- Insider insights, we know what different centres value and can match you to the right culture, leadership style and career path
- Confidential advocacy, we protect your privacy, approach employers on your behalf, and only move forward with your consent
- Ongoing support from offer negotiation to onboarding, we stay in touch to make sure you are supported every step of the way
- Early Childhood Educators Recruitment-Partner of choice; we do not just fill roles - we genuinely care about finding you something that you will love, wake up excited to go to work at and thrive in life.
Job Type: Part time
Pay: $38.00 – $42.00 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Advantages:
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring program
- Maternity leave
- Parental leave
- Career development assistance
Work Location: In person
📌 Lead Educator
🏢 Early Years Talent
📍 Caloundra