Explorers School of Early Learning
Explorers School of Early Learning is a locally operated childcare and preschool service in Nesbitt Park, South Lismore. We are dedicated to fostering curiosity and confidence in young explorers to enable them to become lifelong learners and get the best start in life. Our state-of-the-art facilities and strong professional practice create a rewarding and enriching environment for both children and educators. Our nature-based approach is supported by our expansive outdoor environments and purpose-built facilities.
At the heart of our philosophy is a commitment to supporting and empowering our team through attractive pay and benefits, funded professional development opportunities, and a team culture that supports collaboration and continuous improvement. We are now looking to appoint an Assistant Director to work alongside our Centre Director and help lead the next chapter of our service.
If you want to step into leadership in a service that delivers rich and engaging educational experiences in a calm and nurturing environment, we would love to hear from you.
Role Overview
As Assistant Director, you are the right hand to our Centre Director and a key member of our Leadership Team. You ensure the centre runs smoothly day-to-day, set the tone for our team culture, and are a visible, approachable presence for educators and families.
Working in close collaboration with the Director, your key responsibilities include:
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Coaching and mentoring professional practice – supporting Educators to grow their practice, role-modelling best practice on the floor, and helping new and relief staff settle in through supportive induction and mentoring.
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Ensuring compliance across the service – upholding the National Regulations and NQS, maintaining accurate records, supporting incident reporting, and helping prepare for assessment and rating
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Leading rostering – building and maintaining a fair, compliant roster that meets ratio and qualification requirements, manages leave, and balances the wellbeing of the team
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Day-to-day operations – overseeing daily routines and procedures, supporting smooth operation of the service, and acting as a trusted leader to both educators and families
You will act as a key supporter of the Director and educator team – translating priorities into practice, surfacing issues early, and helping the service deliver consistently high-quality education and care.
What makes us an incredible place to work:
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Market leading pay: we value and reward our leaders through above-award pay and a clear leadership pay band
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Flexible benefits: we offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including:
- 70% discount on childcare gap fees for working parents
- Access to a retail discounts platform to lower the cost of living
- Additional professional development funding
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Strong professional practice: our service has a wonderful community of settled children, enabled by thorough orientation procedures and deep relationships with families and educators
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Professional and career advancement: the Assistant Director role is a structured stepping stone toward Centre Director. You’ll receive mentoring directly from the Director and Approved Provider, with funded leadership development and clear progression
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A team culture that supports your growth: you’re not on your own — you work shoulder-to-shoulder with an experienced Leadership Team and dedicated team of educators, with operational support so you can focus on people and practice
What we are looking for
You are an experienced early childhood professional ready to advance your leadership skills through a rewarding Assistant Director role. You combine warmth on the floor with a calm, organised approach to operations. You enjoy growing other people, you back yourself to make sound decisions under pressure, and you understand that great early education starts with a great team.
You’ll bring:
- Diploma or Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (ACECQA-approved qualification)
- At least 3 years’ experience as an Educator or ECT, ideally with some exposure to rostering, mentoring or 2IC duties (note: experience as a Room Leader is essential)
- Strong working knowledge of the National Regulations, NQF, NQS and EYLF
- Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor educators and support team members through their development
- Sound judgment and the ability to make balanced decisions across child safety, team wellbeing and operational needs
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to act as a clear and consistent conduit between leadership and the team
- A positive, professional and collaborative approach which aligns with our team culture and makes us an incredible place to work
- Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis certifications
- Current Working With Children Check and Child Safety training
How to apply
If this sounds like the next step in your career, please click Apply or contact Michaela on (02) 6621 5037 or admin@explorers.school for a confidential conversation.
Come and be part of something special at Explorers School of Early Learning.
