Preschool Centre Director

Centre Director – Lapstone Preschool

Part-time 4 days per week (32 hours)  Lapstone, NSW Salary: $90,000–$120,000 (FTE including superannuation + salary packaging + benefits)

Lead a much-loved preschool where children, families and educators are known, supported and celebrated.

About Connect Children and Families

At Connect, we walk alongside families to support their children’s learning, wellbeing and safety. As a not-for-profit organisation, we’re deeply rooted in the Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Hawkesbury and Western Sydney communities – working across early education, family support, and community services.

Our values guide everything we do: Tune In. Connect. Be Kind. Walk Together. Celebrate Every Child.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Centre Director to lead Lapstone Preschool. As both Centre Director and Nominated Supervisor, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a 36-place preschool with a strong reputation for high-quality early education, community connection and inclusive practice.

You will guide day-to-day service delivery while leading quality improvement, regulatory compliance, team development, enrolment sustainability and strong partnerships with children, families, educators and the local community.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and culture: Provide confident, values-based leadership that supports a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
• Quality and compliance: Ensure the service meets the National Quality Framework, Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, child protection requirements and Connect policies.
• Educational practice: Champion inclusive, child-centred and trauma-informed practice that reflects the Early Years Learning Framework and celebrates every child.
• Relationships and community: Build trusted relationships with families, local schools, community partners and service providers.
• Operations and sustainability: Oversee staffing, rosters, enrolments, reporting, resources and service improvement priorities.
• Continuous improvement: Lead reflective practice and contribute to organisational initiatives that strengthen outcomes for children and families.

What You’ll Bring

• Demonstrated leadership experience in early childhood education, ideally in a Director, Educational Leader or senior leadership role.
• A strong understanding of the National Quality Framework, Early Years Learning Framework and contemporary inclusive practice.
• The ability to lead, coach and support educators with warmth, clarity and accountability.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with children, families, educators and community partners.
• A genuine commitment to social justice, inclusion, family-centred practice and Connect’s values.

Essential Requirements:

• ACECQA approved early childhood teaching qualification.
• Willingness and eligibility to act as Nominated Supervisor.
• Current Working with Children Check and recent Police Check.
• ACECQA approved First Aid and Child Protection training.
• A clear compliance history.

Why Work with Connect?

At Connect, you’ll be welcomed into a strong, collaborative, and supportive team who share a vision of safe and connected communities where children and families thrive.

We offer:

• Competitive salary conditions: $95,000-$130,000 FTE including superannuation.
• Salary packaging benefits to help reduce taxable income, including up to $15,900 plus $2,650 for entertainment expenses.
• Director allowance in recognition of the leadership responsibilities of the role.
• Paid lunch breaks and paid school holiday periods.
• Ongoing professional learning and development.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• A genuinely supportive workplace culture where collaboration, kindness and shared purpose are valued.

We Value Diversity

Connect is a Child Safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse backgrounds, abilities and identities.

How to Apply

If you are a committed early childhood leader who wants to lead with purpose and make a meaningful difference in a close-knit community preschool, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply by forwarding your CV and cover letter outlining your experience, leadership approach and interest in joining Connect.