A family-owned service where children and educators sit at the centre of every decision is seeking an experienced Centre Director to take custodianship of a high-performing service "Imagine working in a centre where staff health and wellbeing are prioritised, where there is no need to advertise, and demand remains consistently high." - Semann & Slattery, Powerful Pedagogy (August 2024), reflecting on this service following a site visit The rewards of excellence The Off-Site Professional Retreat A private, multi-level building just doors away, reserved exclusively for the team. It includes a gym, a quiet lounge and a kitchen for genuine breaks, and dedicated planning offices to work away from the floor. Curated Resource Hub An entire level devoted to high-quality, thoughtfully selected materials that support rich, pedagogically sound programs. Above-Ratio Staffing Every room is resourced well beyond minimum requirements, allowing time for meaningful relationships and thoughtful practice — not constant prioritisation. Market-Leading Salary A highly competitive package positioned at the upper end of the market, reflecting the seniority and responsibility of the role. Consistent Exceeding Outcomes A service that has achieved a 7/7 'Exceeding' rating across four consecutive Assessment and Rating cycles. The opportunity This is an invitation to take custodianship of a 60-place service that is a pillar of the Cheltenham community. With a waitlist extending into 2027, the service operates without a website or marketing — its reputation speaks for itself. You are not stepping into a role that requires a turnaround or any fixes. You are stepping into a service that has been carefully designed and sustained. Your focus will be on maintaining that standard, mentoring a long-tenured team (including educators who have been with the service for over 20 years), and continuing the quiet evolution of its pedagogy. The role is underpinned by professional trust — offering genuine autonomy in day-to-day leadership, with experienced degree-qualified owners providing measured support when required and a clear openness to ideas that continue to elevate the service. About you You are a calm, grounded leader who operates from a place of professional trust. You value consistency and are ready to move away from reactive environments into a setting where the structure supports the standard. You bring clarity to your decision-making, take ownership of outcomes, and lead with a steady, considered approach that supports both team confidence and high-quality practice. You are comfortable maintaining established standards while contributing thoughtful ideas that further strengthen an already high-performing service. Requirements Proven leadership Minimum 2 years' experience as a Centre Director within an early childhood education and care setting Alternatively, 4–5 years' experience as an Assistant Director or second-in-charge within a high-performing service Education Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education is highly regarded Diploma-qualified candidates with relevant leadership experience will be considered Expertise Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework and child safety regulations Proven ability to achieve and sustain Exceeding outcomes in Assessment and Rating Strong business acumen across occupancy, workforce planning, people leadership, and service performance Leadership style Strong people leader with the ability to build trust, manage performance, and maintain team stability Grounded in clarity, respect, and a commitment to high-quality pedagogy Consistent, measured approach that supports both team wellbeing and high standards over time How to Apply This exclusive opportunity is being managed by Early Years Talent. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to candidates who demonstrate alignment with high-performing, Exceeding-rated environments. Please submit your CV along with a brief cover letter outlining your leadership philosophy and approach to leading and sustaining a high-performing team.
