Kindergarten Leader (Early Childhood Teacher)

About the role

Meli is offering a part-time ongoing Early Childhood Teacher - Kindergarten Leader position at its new Yirrama Kindergarten, which opens to children in Term 1, 2027. The successful candidate starts some hours in 2026 to support the service's setup and launch, then leads a team of educators once the service is running. The position is based at Meli's Yirrama Kindergarten in Charlemont.

Key responsibilities

• Help establish the kindergarten before opening: prepare the learning environment, support enrolment and family engagement, assist with educator onboarding and ensure operational readiness.
• Design and deliver engaging, play-based, developmentally appropriate programs aligned with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the National Quality Standard and relevant legislation.
• Lead, mentor and support educators, students and volunteers.
• Build strong relationships with children, families and the wider community.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive environment in line with child safety, regulatory and OH&S requirements.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (or equivalent approved by ACECQA).
• 5+ years of early childhood teaching experience and 2+ years of early childhood leadership experience.
• Current Early Childhood Teacher registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).
• Knowledge of the National Education and Care Services Act and Regulations, the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework and the ECEC National Quality Framework.
• Experience developing and delivering high-quality early years programs, and proven ability to lead and mentor teams.

What we offer

• Pay of $38.30-$58.96 per hour depending on experience, under the VECTEA 2020 agreement (subject to increase with VECTEA 2026).
• Roster: Monday and Tuesday 7:45am-5:00pm, and lunch-cover shifts Wednesday to Friday with additional non-contact hours.
• Professional development events, a network of 34 kindergartens and preschools, and three organisational days each year.
• Guaranteed non-contact time and set-up time.

Applications close 11:59pm on Friday 13 November 2026, with a resume and answers to the selection criteria.