Assistant Director ~ Froebel Carlton

🌱 Assistant Director

• Fixed Term (9 months) – with possibility of extension
• Froebel Carlton - Full-time (37.5 hrs/week, 5 days)
• Commencing June 2026

We’re here to reimagine early childhood education, and we want you to be part of it. At Froebel, we believe every child deserves an empowered childhood — one that nurtures their curiosity, capability, compassion and confidence to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Froebel Carlton is one of five early learning services run by the not-for-profit provider Froebel Australia. The centre has 97 places for children from approximately 6 months to 5 years of age across three purpose-built levels and is located in the heart of the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Connect precinct. Opened in January 2022, our state-of-the-art service is designed to act as the “third teacher,” supporting rich, intentional learning experiences every day.

Our program focuses on immersive language learning (with Spanish as a second community language), inquiry-based early STEM learning through our Little Scientists program, and education for sustainability aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We actively engage with the Melbourne Connect community of professionals and families and regularly undertake excursions within the precinct and into nature beyond.

This is a leadership opportunity for an experienced Assistant Director to join our Carlton service on a fixed-term basis of 9 months, with the possibility of extension. The role is 37.5 hours per week across 5 days, with approximately 15 hours per week off the floor dedicated to leadership responsibilities across operations, enrolments, staffing, and service delivery. The remaining hours include time on the floor in ratio, supporting the team and service operations.

We offer:

• 💸 A salary above award rates
• 🎄 Additional paid leave over Christmas/New Year
• 🎓 Generous professional development opportunities
• 🧠 Weekly planning time + paid team meetings + paid overtime
• 🤝 A supportive Centre Director and collaborative leadership team
• 🌿 A unique bilingual (Spanish-English) learning environment
• 🌟 Employee wellbeing initiatives + access to confidential counselling (EAP)
• 💡 Reduced childcare fees (subject to availability)
• 🛍️ Employee perks program with cashback and discounts
• 🚿 End-of-trip facilities including showers, lockers and bike storage
• 🌏 A strong focus on sustainability and community engagement
• 🚉 Excellent public transport access (no on-site parking available)

What we’re looking for:

• A qualified Early Childhood Educator (Diploma or working towards)
• Strong knowledge of the EYLF, VEYLDF and National Quality Standard (NQS)
• Ideally 2+ years in a similar leadership position in early childhood settings
• Strong operational, organisational and team support skills
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities with staff, families and community
• Interest in immersive language learning and inquiry-based STEM (Spanish not required)
• Strong understanding of contemporary child safe practices
• A positive, proactive and solutions-focused leadership style

If this sounds like your kind of next step, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply via the application button and upload your CV. A short cover letter introducing yourself and your interest in Froebel Carlton is encouraged.

Froebel is a Child Safe Organisation and an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.