22nd August, 2025
Located approximately 300 km east of Darwin in Western Arnhem Land and just a short drive from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, this is a unique and exciting opportunity for a passionate Childcare Director to lead a Child and Family Centre in a culturally rich and visually stunning remote area.
As the Childcare Director, you will oversee the leadership and administrative management of a Child and Family Centre Long Day Care Facility, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and legislation. The centre operates within an integrated network of local services, including the preschool, FaFT (Families as First Teachers), Health Clinic, and Wellbeing Hub—providing a holistic approach to child and family support.
You will play a key role in coordinating Long Day Care services that respond to the needs of local families, while creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for children and staff. Your responsibilities will include delivering high-quality, age-appropriate programs that reflect the community's cultural context, and supporting team development through formal and informal training in a collegial and collaborative setting. The Long Day Care Facility caters to approximately 12 children aged 3 months to 4 years and operates 40 weeks per year. It is integrated into the local school, sharing a playground with the preschool, and forms part of a wider educational setting supporting about 200 students across primary and secondary levels. The centre is built on strong interagency partnerships and a commitment to child and staff wellbeing, with clear, respectful communication with families at the heart of its practice.
The community is home to around 1,200 residents and offers a rare chance to live and work in one of Australia's most culturally rich and visually stunning landscapes. The community is surrounded by natural wonders—ancient rock art, dramatic escarpments, billabongs, and bushland teeming with wildlife—offering opportunities for fishing, walking, and cultural engagement with local artists and knowledge-holders. Just a short drive away, Kakadu National Park spans nearly 20,000 square kilometres and is jointly managed by Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. It features breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rock art sites dating back over 20,000 years.
The community offers essential services including a health clinic, childcare, police station, Centrelink access, and a community store supplying groceries and fuel. There is year-round air access and dry-season road access. Please note that alcohol consumption requires a permit.
This is a full-time position beginning as soon as possible until 30th July, 2026, with the possibility of extension. Shorter-term placements may be considered for the right candidate. A range of opportunities are also available for partners.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee the Long Day Care facility and its services, ensuring compliance with regulations and licensing requirements by enforcing policies and procedures to promote a safe, hygienic and orderly environment.
- Develop and deliver high quality age-appropriate curriculum and learning activities that foster Child Development, contextualised to the community.
- Lead, supervise and mentor a team of local staff to build capacity, collegiality and expertise.
- Meet administrative obligations including budgeting, reporting, monitoring, recording, scheduling and training programs within the scope of the policy guidelines.
- Work effectively with line management and colleagues to maintain the integrity of the integrated services approach across and through collaborations with interagency partners and stakeholders.
- Build positive relationships with parents and families with transparent and appropriate avenues of communication and nurture community confidence in the services and benefits of the Child and Family Centre as a whole.
The Perks! The school will provide the following benefits:
- Salary between $94,620 - $105,609 (plus super).
- If you are a registered teacher, a salary between $92,215 and $131,349 with an annual remote allowance of $9,894, paid pro-rata fortnightly with salary. $11,836 with dependents.
- Fully subsidised two-bedroom accommodation
- Fully subsidised electricity
- Uplift at the beginning of your contract
All incentives to be finalised with employer.
Footprint Placements will provide benefits to assist you in your transition to remote life, including:
- Trauma Responsive Practice in Education course with the Australian Childhood Foundation.
- Cultural Competency course with Stronger Smarter Institute (one term+ contracts).
- First aid certification (6 month+ contracts).
What You Need to Succeed! This position is open to registered teachers (TRBNT) as well as non-registered educators.
- NT Working With Children check (Ochre Card)
- Experience as a leader in Childcare with an approved Early Childhood Education qualification, Care Qualification, registration with ACECQA and current First Aid and CPR Certification.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework with the ability to develop and implement high-quality education programs that reflect the community context.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and implementation strategies for the National Quality Standards, the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the developmental needs of children aged three months to 5 years, including children with additional needs and those with diverse language and cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate a collegial environment and build capacity of Indigenous team members through formal training programs.
- Demonstrated high level of organisational and written communication skills required to manage a business unit, budgets, record-keeping, reporting and provision of appropriate strategic and operational advice to leadership; with adaptability, flexibility and resilience including the ability to manage pressure and problem solve in an environment prone to change and social impacts.
- Demonstrated strength in interpersonal skills and professional communication in various contexts including engagement with children, families, colleagues, leadership, external services and visitors.
Desirable:
- Willingness to complete TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
- A working knowledge of the education systems, school environment, and project management experience to contribute to centre activities.
I want to apply! We would love you to provide a CV with a LinkedIn profile (if you possess) and apply via our website, www.footprintplacements.com.au. Question? Email hello@footprintplacements.com.au.
Looking forward to receiving your resume!
Candidates must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work.
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