Centre Director

We’re excited to be opening a brand-new Explorers Early Learning Centre in Croydon, and we’re looking for an experienced and inspiring Centre Director to lead the Centre from opening day and help shape its future.

From recruiting and developing your team, to establishing a strong culture, building relationships with families and creating an environment where children and educators can thrive, you’ll play a key role in bringing our newest Explorers Centre to life.

If you’re an experienced early learning leader who enjoys building teams, creating strong cultures and making a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

As Centre Director, Croydon, you’ll be responsible for leading the Centre through its opening and beyond, with the support of a dedicated Operations and Support Office team.

You will:

• Lead from day one, establishing the Centre’s culture, values and ways of working
• Build and develop your team, creating a supportive, collaborative and high-performing environment
• Recruit and engage great people, ensuring your team reflects the values and vision of Explorers
• Build strong relationships with children and families, creating a welcoming and connected Centre community
• Lead day-to-day Centre operations, ensuring a high-quality experience for children, families and educators
• Champion our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, supporting educators to create engaging and meaningful learning environments
• Drive quality and compliance, ensuring the Centre meets all regulatory requirements and Explorers’ high standards
• Create a culture of belonging, where educators feel valued, supported and empowered to grow
• Champion child safety, ensuring the safety, wellbeing and development of every child remains at the heart of everything you do
• Work closely with our Operations and Support Office teams, drawing on specialist guidance and support as you establish and grow your Centre

You won’t be doing it alone. You’ll have the support of an off-the-floor Child Safety Leader, Educational Leader and dedicated Operations team, providing the people, resources and expertise needed to successfully launch your Centre.

What You Bring

We’re looking for a confident and experienced early learning leader who is energised by the opportunity to build something new and make it their own.

You will have the following: 

• A Diploma or higher in Early Childhood Education
• 5+ years’ experience in early childhood, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role
• Proven experience leading, developing and engaging teams
• A strong understanding of EYLF, NQS and relevant regulatory requirements
• Experience managing budgets, rostering, compliance and Centre operations
• Knowledge or understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach
• Strong communication, leadership and relationship-building skills
• First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis Training
• A valid Working with Children Check (Employee)
• Mandatory Reporting and completion of National Child Safety Training

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who enjoys building teams, shaping culture and creating an environment where people feel they belong. You’ll be confident making decisions, comfortable navigating change and motivated by the opportunity to create a Centre community from the ground up.

Why Explorers?

At Explorers Early Learning, we believe great early learning starts with great people.

Founded by Lynda Salvo in 2004, Explorers is a founder-driven, women-led organisation committed to creating exceptional early learning experiences for children, families and our people.

As a Centre Director, you’ll be part of a supportive leadership community with access to mentoring, professional development and career opportunities as our organisation continues to grow.

You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced Operations and Support Office teams while having the autonomy to lead your Centre, develop your people and make a lasting impact.

Our Benefits

Joining Explorers means being supported from day one, with benefits designed to help you thrive personally and professionally:

• Competitive Above-Award Salary + Additional Incentives*
• Generous Childcare Fee Discount*
• Onsite Parking
• Ongoing Professional Development and career development opportunities
• Culture Club events that bring our people together
• Annual Awards Party celebrating our people and achievements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for additional support when you need it

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of any age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and culture.   

Explorers Early Learning is a child-safe organisation. We are committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and expect all team members to uphold our child-safe responsibilities.   

If you’re ready to open a Centre, build an exceptional team, shape a strong culture and create a community that families are proud to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Explorers Early Learning and help bring our new Croydon Centre to life.