Centre Manager | Service Leader

About the role

The Service Leader is responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of Happy Hippo Kindergarten and Childcare. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care, operational and financial efficiency, and the maintenance of a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for children, families, and team. As a key leader within the service, the Service Leader oversees compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, implementation of the National Quality Standard (NQS), and alignment with both the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLF). This role also holds primary responsibility for embedding the Victorian Child Safe Standards into everyday practice and ensuring a culture where children's rights, wellbeing, and voices are prioritised.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the performance and wellbeing of the service team, promoting a culture of trust, collaboration, and high-quality practice

• Recruit, induct, and support team members in line with service values and expectations

• Foster professional growth through coaching, feedback, performance reviews, and tailored development plans

• Ensure compliance with National Law, Regulations, NQS, and all relevant sector standards and guidelines

• Collaborate with the Operations Leader to monitor budgets, occupancy targets, team rostering, and resource management

• Support the Pedagogical Leader to ensure high-quality curriculum and pedagogy across all rooms

• Lead and contribute to the development and review of the service's Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)

• Lead the implementation of the Victorian Child Safe Standards, embedding child safety into all aspects of service operations and culture

• Oversee the delivery of safe daily practices, including risk assessments, emergency drills, and supervision plans

• Lead the service's presence in the local community through open days, networking, and outreach initiatives

About you

• Diploma or Bachelor qualification in Early Childhood Education (ACEQA approved)

• Demonstrated experience in service or educational leadership within a regulated early learning environment

• Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma, and Anaphylaxis certification

• Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting training (completed or updated within 12 months)

• National Child Safety Training

• Sound understanding of employment law, WHS, and financial compliance in early education

• Proven leadership and people management capabilities within an early childhood setting

• Strong working knowledge of the NQF, EYLF V2.0, VEYLDF, and the Child Safe Standards

• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and time-management skills

• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships

• Commitment to inclusive practices, ethical leadership, and continuous improvement

About us

Happy Hippo Kindergarten and Childcare is an early learning service committed to delivering high-quality early childhood education and care within a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment.