Early Childhood Educator Jobs
Educator Roles at Big Fat Smile
Working with a supportive, expert team in the day-to-day running of our centres, our Certificate III Educators play a critical role in shaping young minds. Passionate about providing for the care, education and wellbeing of every child in your room, you’ll help create happy, healthy relationships between a child and the most important people in their lives.
You’ll bring fun, laughter and play to each day, but most importantly, you’ll create magical moments for children to experiment and grow.
As a Diploma Educator, you’ll be encouraged to adapt approaches to bring creativity and playfulness to your work. To tap into your childlike wonder. To meet children where they’re at. And together with the children, their families and your team, you’ll design and deliver colourful learning experiences that match a child’s interests and needs.
Responsible for programming, you’ll work out how each child learns best, then plan and apply your unique programs, always reflecting and thinking about how we can improve. Building strong relationship with the families, you’ll together set goals and keep them updated on the children’s progress against them.
Search open Educator job vacancies in our day care and term only preschools in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Goulburn or Sydney areas
I am in a permanent position in a Big Fat Smile preschool and, after ten years at Big Fat Smile, I find I am still learning so much that I can apply to my practice in early childhood. I love what I do.
- Katherine, Diploma Educator at Bundanoon District Community Preschool
Big Benefits
It’s important to make sure we support and reward the people we owe our success to; in the ways they care about most. That’s why we offer a range of perks and benefits to show our appreciation.
- We pay on average 3% above award for Educators
- Not-for-profit salary packaging reduces the tax you need to pay which means even more money in your weekly pay cheque (many other services can’t offer this)
- More non-contact time each week
- Access to a monthly Rostered Day Off (full-time educators upon agreement)
- Flexible work options such as compressed work week and part time educator jobs available
- 6 weeks parental leave at full pay for primary and secondary carers
- 60% discount on our Early Learning and Out of School Hours Care services for full time and part time employees
- Free access to our Total Wellbeing Platform and confidential Employee Assistance Program
- Generous discounts with the Illawarra Credit Union, The Good Guys, St George Illawarra Dragons, Early Start Discovery Space and Kai Yoga, Future Steps for Kids and more
Supporting your growth and development
With dedicated Practice teams who find and use the latest research and philosophy to inform our practices, and a team of knowledgeable experts who are always willing to share, here you’ll be set up for success in your career.
- Get practical on-the-job experience applying your knowledge and gain valuable skills and training that goes way beyond the industry norm
- Support, mentorship and guidance from experienced educators and teachers
- Exclusive face-to-face (and free!) professional learning opportunities and access to our Learning Hub with 50+ online modules
- Be part of our Communities of Practice where you can connect with other educators across our many centres - a platform for sharing ideas and getting exposure to different practices and reflections
For our educators who are keen to further their studies and qualifications, we offer:
- Accelerated Bachelor of Education Degree – we partner with leading Australian Universities to support our staff in upskilling from Diploma Educator to Early Childhood Teacher in a record 18 months! We work directly with the universities on the design and delivery of the courses, and we offer scholarships to help with the financial stress of taking time off work for unpaid placement
- Supporting your application for external funding – for our educators who are keen to earn a Bachelor of Education (Birth to 5 years) or Master of Special and Inclusive Education (specialising in Early Childhood), we’ll support you in getting access to external funding such as Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships or the Early Childhood Education Scholarship Program. Last year, 7 of our educators received up to $20,000 from the NSW Department of Education toward their studies!
- 3 hours off the floor (non-contact time) each week to use for study time (for those doing a traineeship)
- Paid study leave to attend exams
Big career progression opportunities
Because of our size, there are big opportunities for those who want to go further. You’ll find meaningful career paths with lots of promotions across our 40+ community preschools and long day care centres, and our Fun Clubs, offering out of school hours and vacation care. And with professional learning and growth at the heart of everything we do, you’ll have the support to progress anywhere from Certificate III up to Teacher or Director level, or into our community service programs, inclusion or head office roles.
At Big Fat Smile, you’ll have a front row seat to the latest research and thinking on early childhood education. Combine this with a platform for sharing ideas, where you’ll reflect on learnings and be exposed to different practices across our centres.
This is how we grow, get better and solve problems: together.
Meet one of our educators
Josie, Educator at Warrawong Community Preschool
Starting as a trainee in 2015, Josie has built an impressive career here. Her passion for improving outcomes for children with a trauma background, has seen her earning one of 7 scholarships to further her career.
Register your interest for educator jobs
We post all our open job vacancies here, so check back regularly for new opportunities.
You can also register your interest for Early Childhood Educator jobs in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Sydney areas here.
Got any questions, big or small? You can chat with our friendly People team on [email protected]