Child Development Worker – Play2Learn

Job Posting Organization:
54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation, proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and a global movement dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity. Established over 30 years ago, the organization operates across every state and territory in Australia, providing quality services to children and their caregivers in various regions, including remote areas and capital cities. With a workforce of approximately 600 employees, 54 reasons embraces diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures, and beliefs, reflecting the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Child Development Worker position within the Play2Learn program is a permanent part-time role that focuses on providing quality early childhood education to young children in Katherine, Australia. The role involves coordinating the planning, implementation, and review of culturally appropriate developmental play and learning experiences for children aged 0-6 years. The successful candidate will work closely with families to foster engagement with support programs and services, ensuring a smooth transition for children into school. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing the physical, social/emotional, and educational needs of children, as well as providing support and information to parents regarding developmental issues. The role is integral to the Play2Learn team and requires collaboration with various stakeholders within the Katherine Township boundaries.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Child Development Worker include:

• Planning and facilitating weekly playgroup sessions that promote developmental play and learning experiences for children.
• Finding creative ways to encourage families to engage with the support programs and services offered by the organization.
• Identifying and addressing the physical, social/emotional, and educational needs of children in the program.
• Providing support and information to parents on developmental issues, including making appropriate referrals to other health, education, and welfare agencies.
• Supporting process monitoring, data collection, and reporting to ensure the effectiveness of the program.
• Collaborating with the Team Leader and other team members to enhance the quality of services provided to children and families.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a qualification in Early Childhood Education, with a minimum of Certificate III strongly preferred, or significant equivalent experience in the field. Candidates should have experience working with children aged 0-6 years and families in a group setting. A solid understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework is essential, along with prior experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or CALD communities. Competency in using Microsoft Office programs and databases is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Child Development Worker position should possess a qualification in Early Childhood Education, with a minimum of Certificate III being strongly preferred. This educational background is crucial for understanding the developmental needs of young children and implementing effective educational practices.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have experience working with children aged 0-6 years and their families in a group setting. This experience is vital for effectively facilitating playgroup sessions and addressing the diverse needs of children and families within the community. Familiarity with the Early Years Learning Framework and prior experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or CALD communities is preferred, as it enhances the candidate's ability to connect with and support the families served by the program.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for communication with families and colleagues. Additionally, knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages or other community languages may be considered advantageous, as it can facilitate better engagement with diverse families.

Additional Notes:
This position is a permanent part-time role, requiring work three days a week: Monday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. The role offers an award rate salary (currently Level 3.1 - $38.65 per hour) along with full salary packaging benefits. Employees also receive a generous annual remote location allowance, flight benefits, and five weeks of annual leave. The organization emphasizes health and wellbeing support, including access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and professional supervision. 54 reasons is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees feel valued and supported in their roles. The organization also requires all employees to undergo a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check, adhering to child safeguarding policies.