In the world of early childhood education, Big Fat Smile aims to stand out as a company that truly prioritises the well-being and growth of its people. At the heart of this difference lies a strong culture of support and a commitment to providing lots of opportunities for professional learning.
We chatted with Alicia Doolan, the fabulous Centre Director at Barrack Heights Community Preschool, who told us that
“being a part of Big Fat Smile makes me so proud, and I am always one to recommend them to families and staff. The culture is second to none, with so many strong aspects of support each day, in many forms.”
Safe and supported at work
One of the key pillars of this supportive culture is the comprehensive leadership structure and processes in place. “We have the best managerial support and the most amazing team within our head office that make our jobs as directors really fulfilling and much easier,” Alicia raves. “The amount of processes in place is amazing, and they’re processes that are also clearly explained.” She tells us that this is a great thing, as everyone knows what to do and what’s expected of them, making our jobs much easier.
There’s a real in-it-together feeling here
But Alicia believes that what truly sets Big Fat Smile apart is the grounded and experienced leadership team.
“Our subject matter experts in head office are real people, they have long tenures, they’ve worked their way up and know what a day-to-day looks like in educators’ and directors’ shoes. This makes their decision-making better because they understand the effort it takes each day.” Alicia explains.
This tight-knit community extends to the local services too. “Everyone is local…our sister services are all there for support, and we can reach out to any director. We know each other and can share in those moments,” Alicia shares. As backup, support with staffing challenges or just to debrief – that kind of support system is priceless.
We treasure your expertise as an educator
On top of that, Big Fat Smile is all about nurturing creativity and innovative ideas from its staff. “Big Fat Smile never leaves your ideas unheard or unlistened. All ideas of all types are listened to, thought through, and made possible,” Alicia says, highlighting the company’s openness to new ideas and approaches.
We’re never not learning. Or growing. It’s at the heart of everything we do
But maybe the most impressive part is the dedication to helping you grow professionally. “Big Fat Smile continues to be a leader in organisations not only in providing exceptional care but also on providing professional development and growth within the organisation,” Alicia states.
“The organisation offer a considerable budget for professional development but also various other opportunities including networking nights, paid First Aid and CPR, leadership days and cluster meetings offsite.” From paid training to leadership programs and career advancement paths, Big Fat Smile gives you all the tools to keep levelling up. The knowledge you gain here is mind-blowing.
“These endless opportunities have allowed me to really shine throughout my career and personal goals, also throughout my centre and supporting each individual at the service.”
At the end of the day, Big Fat Smile is simply built different when it comes to supporting and empowering their people, which makes it a more rewarding and fulfilling place to work. As Alicia sums it up,
“You will not be disappointed. The grass is definitely greener at Big Fat Smile. The support, the role models, the immense knowledge that our large team encompasses – it allows all educators and teachers to continue to grow and develop every day.”
If you’re considering a career in early childhood education, Big Fat Smile offers a unique opportunity to be part of a supportive, growth-oriented community that values its employees and prioritises their professional development.
“Here you really feel that you make a difference, you are more than just a number or just a service. I feel blessed every day that I am in such a supported role here.”
The real question is, what are you waiting for?
We’re always on the lookout for upcoming Trainees and experienced Early Childhood Educators, Teachers and Centre Directors for our day care and term only preschools in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Sydney areas.
Search our current jobs here, or learn more about the benefits of working at Big Fat Smile here.
