Are you a passionate early learning Room Leader who loves inspiring young minds and creating meaningful learning experiences?  

Join our supportive, friendly and experienced team at a not-for-profit organisation where kindness, warmth and fun are at the heart of everything we do.

The opportunity

We are seeking a passionate Room Leader with minimum 1 year experience to join our team at Diggers Rest Early Learning Centre.

This is a fixed-term parental leave cover position until the end of April 2027, with potential for future ongoing opportunities as our centre is growing!

In this role, you’ll lead one of our rooms for children under 3 years of age; guiding the day-to-day operations, supporting fellow educators, and building strong, positive relationships with children and their families. You’ll play a key role in creating a nurturing, engaging environment while delivering high-quality early childhood education and care.

For a more detailed overview of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the position description (copy link into browser): https://ymac.worldmanager.com/go/gmXLbR

You’ll need availability to work a 4-week rotational roster, inclusive of early, middle, and late shifts. The role may also offer flexibility for a monthly RDO arrangement where operationally suitable.

About us

Y Whittlesea is a not-for-profit that happens to be the oldest youth organisation in the world and oldest social enterprise, where all profits go back into our communities. Our Early Learning spaces are vibrant environments where little imaginations thrive — fostering laughter, creativity, and friendship.

Our Diggers Rest Early Learning Centre is conveniently located in the heart of Digger’s Rest and offers 100 places for long day-care, including 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten. Our centre is open Monday to Friday from 6:30am - 6:30pm. To find out more about our centre, visit our website (copy link into your browser):

https://childrensprograms.whittlesea.ymca.org.au/early-learning/diggers-rest-early-learning-centre/

Why Join Us?

We’re proud to be a participating employer in the Education Care Workers Retention Payment Scheme, supporting the recognition and retention of dedicated professionals in the childcare sector. Other benefits include:

• Staff Benefits:
  • Generous staff childcare discounts.
  • Up to 3 bonus leave days between Christmas and New Years
  • Access retail and entertainment discounts through our employee benefits program.
• Professional Growth:
  • We value and support your ongoing professional development and personal growth.
• Optimal Learning Environment:
  • Benefit from small group sizes for effective teaching.
• Supportive Team:
  • Work with a supportive management team, in an organisation that values our people and the community.

What you’ll bring – qualifications and experience

• Minimum Diploma in Children’s Services (or equivalent as recognised by ACECQA).
• Demonstrated experience working as a qualified Educator and Room Leader.
• Working with Children Check and a National Police Check (International Police check if you have lived outside Australia in the last 5 years).
• Current nationally recognised CPR, First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma qualifications.
• A passion for inspiring young minds and a playful spirit.
• Fresh ideas and an ability to share stories on how you embody the spirit of fun, creativity, and warmth. 
• Legal right to live and work in Australia.

How to apply

We invite you to submit your application by clicking the “Apply Now” button. Your application will include your resume, responses to our application form, and if possible, include a cover letter highlighting your greatness.

Have a question before applying? Email us at recruitment@ywhittlesea.org.au  (please be sure to apply via the website and not by email).  

Applications close date: 5/08/2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Screening and interviews may commence prior to the closing date. This position may close early if a suitable candidate is identified before the official closing date.

Here’s what our teams say about working at the Y (copy link into browser) https://youtu.be/FuLVNN6R5xA

Safeguarding at the Y

At the Y, we are committed to empowering all Children and Young People to feel safe and be safe, at the Y, in their families and in their communities. As such, we ensure that all of our candidates are appropriately screened (including police checks) to make sure that the right people are in the right roles.

To learn more about our screening processes, click here to view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (copy link into your browser):

https://ymca.org.au/about-us/safeguarding-children-young-people/safeguardingresources/

The Y is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people.