Question 1

What does an educational leader do in childcare?

Accepted Answer

An educational leader guides the development and implementation of educational programs across the service, mentors educators in programming and pedagogy, and ensures the service meets NQS Quality Area 1 (Educational Program and Practice). Under the Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120), educational leaders are typically classified at Level 5-6, reflecting their senior educator status and programming leadership responsibilities.

Question 2

What award covers educational leaders in childcare?

Accepted Answer

Educational leaders in childcare are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120). This award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates and conditions for employees working in children's services. Educational leaders are typically classified at Level 5-6 based on their qualifications and leadership responsibilities.

Question 3

What classification level should I use for an educational leader?

Accepted Answer

Under the Children's Services Award 2010, educational leaders typically fall at Level 5 (Senior educator with Diploma qualification) or Level 6 (Senior educator with Bachelor degree). The classification depends on their qualifications, experience and specific responsibilities. See our Children's Services Award rates guide for current classifications.

Question 4

Should I include pay rates in an educational leader job description?

Accepted Answer

While not legally required, including indicative pay rates helps attract suitable candidates and sets clear expectations. You can reference the applicable award rate or use phrases like 'Level 5 rate under Children's Services Award' or 'Competitive rates based on qualifications.' Check the Children's Services Award 2010 for current rates.

Question 5

What qualifications does an educational leader need?

Accepted Answer

Educational leaders must hold at minimum a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. However, many services prefer or require a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education. The educational leader must also have significant experience in programming and documentation, typically at least 3 years in early childhood settings.

Question 6

Does an educational leader need to be a certified supervisor?

Accepted Answer

While not always required, having certified supervisor status is beneficial as educational leader roles are often combined with room leader or other senior positions that require supervisor certification. Check your state/territory regulatory authority requirements for specific certification needs.

Question 7

What experience is required for an educational leader?

Accepted Answer

Educational leaders typically need minimum 3 years experience in early childhood education with demonstrated expertise in curriculum planning, programming and documentation. Experience mentoring other educators and leading professional development is highly valued. Strong understanding of the EYLF/MTOP frameworks is essential.

Question 8

What checks are required for educational leaders?

Accepted Answer

All educational leaders require a Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent clearance, a National Police Check, and current First Aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training. These are standard regulatory requirements for all educators working in early childhood settings.

Question 9

Is an educational leader a full-time position?

Accepted Answer

Educational leader responsibilities can be allocated to a full-time, part-time or casual senior educator. Many services designate an existing room leader or senior educator as the educational leader with allocated non-contact time for leadership duties. See our guide on casual vs permanent employment trends and simplify employee management with HR software.

Question 10

How much non-contact time should educational leaders receive?

Accepted Answer

While the NQS doesn't specify exact hours, services should provide sufficient non-contact time for educational leaders to fulfill their responsibilities including mentoring, documentation review, program development and professional learning facilitation. Many services allocate 4-8 hours per week depending on service size.

Question 11

Can the educational leader role be shared between educators?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the educational leader role can be shared between two or more suitably qualified educators. However, clear role definition, communication processes and coordination are essential to ensure consistency in curriculum leadership across the service.

Question 12

What should I include in an educational leader employment contract?

Accepted Answer

Key elements include: position title and classification level, employment type, hourly rate, applicable award, reporting structure, educational leadership responsibilities, allocated non-contact time, room/group allocation if combined with floor role, and professional development expectations. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Question 13

How do I roster non-contact time for educational leaders?

Accepted Answer

Schedule dedicated non-contact periods when the educational leader is free from direct care responsibilities. Consider rostering during children's rest time, at the beginning/end of the day, or on a designated day each week. Use rostering software to clearly mark non-contact time and ensure adequate floor coverage.

Question 14

Can educational leaders count toward ratio requirements?

Accepted Answer

Educational leaders only count toward educator-to-child ratios when they are working directly with children. During allocated non-contact time for leadership duties (mentoring, documentation review, program planning), they do not count toward ratios, so additional educators must be rostered to maintain compliance.

Question 15

What breaks are educational leaders entitled to?

Accepted Answer

Under the Children's Services Award 2010, employees working more than 5 hours are entitled to an unpaid meal break, plus paid rest breaks based on shift length. Educational leaders receive the same break entitlements as other educators. Use break planning tools to manage breaks effectively.

Question 16

How do I balance floor duties with leadership responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

Create rosters that clearly distinguish between floor time and leadership time. Consider rostering educational leaders in rooms during peak periods while protecting leadership time during quieter periods. Communicate the roster clearly to all staff so they understand when the educational leader is available for mentoring and support.

Educational leader job description