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Certificate 111 Apprenticeship

Collard Family Kindergarten is the place to build your career and work for an employer who values

commitment and dedication to active engagement with children, families and other early childhood

educators. We offer above award wages and 4 weeks holidays with an additional 8 days taken

between 24.12 -8.1 each year, when you attend 4 PD days an art exhibition night and an open day per

year.

Collard Family Kindergarten is a boutique family owned and operated childcare / long day

kindergarten. Together the Educational Leader and the Approved Provider have over 26 years of

experience in working within the early childhood field.

We are a small business and need to offer families a unique childcare experience. Our

professionalism and customer service must be outstanding to be competitive. When this happens,

we have 100% occupancy/ enrolments each day. This means we can put money back into purchasing

new equipment, extra money for professional development and rewarding our valued staff with gift

cards, movie tickets and meal vouchers and money for the end of year bonus. This creates a

harmonious work environment, built on professional practice and acknowledgment of staff

commitment to build our brand/business and benefit from the rewards program.

Our competitive edge is our ability to offer a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6

years of age, 5 days a week for 51 weeks a year. We have a unique and tailored educational program

that enhances children’s learning and development.

Our family service allows employees to form strong relationships with management, colleagues,

children and parents. Employee’s truly partner with parents / caregivers to ensure the highest care

and education is developed to meet each individual child’s learning and development.

We are an Asthma friendly service. Our Asthma policy states that no staff member or volunteer is to

wear perfume or strong-smelling deodorant to work. Melissa is highly allergic to smelly chemicals and

perfumes. There are several non-fragranced deodorants on the market for you to choose from.

COLLARD FAMILY KINDERGARTEN CORE VALUES

Advocate: For children to grow strong healthy minds and bodies, be resilient and develop lifelong

skills and knowledge. Respect: Educators acknowledge that all children have an individual path to

their learning and development. Educators respect parents and families as their child’s first most

influential & knowledgeable teachers. Honesty: Clear and open communication in a culture where

everyone is valued and respected. Nurture: Educators are warm and engaging with children, families,

colleagues and community members. Form strong and trusting bonds.

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CERT 111 APPRENTICES WHY IS THIS ROLE FOR YOU?

We're seeking 2 passionate and enthusiastic young people aged 16-18 years, who enjoy working with

children and can see themselves having a career in early childhood education and care.

The Cert 111 Apprentice position works under the guidance of the room leader and the educational

leader / Approved Provider. This position reports directly to the room leader. The apprentice position

would see the applicant attend one day of training each week.

APPOINTMENT: To engage with children and support their care and education in a play

environment. To work under the direction of the room leader. To always adhere to the Education

and Care Services National Regulations under the Education and Care Services National Law, child

protection regulations as well as the policies, goals and philosophy of the Service. To uphold the

‘National Quality Framework’ and ‘National Quality Standards’ as per the ‘Service’s’ Philosophy, goals,

policies and procedures.

This is a new position we have created. Working with children, colleagues and families can be a very

rewarding career. There are career path opportunities, should you wish to pursue them that can lead

to a Degree in Teaching.

We have decided to have 2 apprenticeship positions so that you can attend training together and do

some of your program and planning together.

The successful applicants would not work together in the same playroom. You need to be aware that

the position isn’t without its challenges. One of the hardest parts of working within a childcare centre

is getting along with other educators, managers and families.

You have to be able to compromise & work in a team, under the direction of the room leader and the

educational leader / Approved Provider. In the industry we say the easy part of the job is working

with the children.

We understand that the successful applicants are young and inexperienced. Additional planning time

off the floor, to work with the educational leader / Approved Provider will be provided. This will help

extend knowledge and skills in early childhood education.

We know that entering training can be scary and unfamiliar. If you are a happy person, enjoy working

with children and love learning new skills and knowledge, then this could be the career for you?

COMPUTER AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

Computer and video surveillance with sound recording always operate throughout the indoor and

outdoor areas. We have video surveillance to maintain educator and children’s safety. The data is

collected and saved onto a hard drive and kept for 4 weeks, unless it is needed by management,

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police or DET. Our centre is a welcoming place for staff, children and families and our kindergarten

boosts state of art functions. Please read our policy on surveillance cameras.

COLLARD FAMILY KINDERGARTEN APPRENTICE POSITION: QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED

1. You are a happy and engaging person

2. Enjoy working with children

3. Developed communications skills

4. Good problem solving skills

5. Able to get yourself to work on time each day

6. Committed to working 5 days a week and completing the apprenticeship

7. Well-developed reading and writing skills

8. Well-developed computer skills

9. A team player

10. Wear the service uniform with pride {see staff handbook}

11. Use common sense in for filling your position description

12. Current Working with children check card

13. 100 points of ID

14. Child protection mandatory reporting training:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/professionals/health/childprotection/Pages/ec

onlinelearning.aspx

15. Immunisation Certificate stamped from your doctor. All staff must have current vaccinations

for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (chicken pox), Pertussis (whooping cough), and

Influenza (flu annually).

16. This position is paid under the Childcare Award Apprentice

https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/documents/modern_awards/award/ma000120/default.

htm

The Approved Provider’s Expectations:

Hi my name is Melissa Collard and I am one of the owners of Collard Family Kindergarten and The

Approved Provider. I have been approved by the Department of Education & Training to be the

responsible person in charge of our long day kindergarten.

This is a role I take very seriously. I have the highest standards for our staff to maintain and deliver an

outstanding care and educational program to every child enrolled in our service.

I expect all employees to always adhere to the Education and Care Services National Regulations

under the Education and Care Services National Law, child protection regulations as well as the

policies, goals and philosophy of the Service.

You work collaboratively with fellow educators and management. You be punctual and on time

every day. You develop positive and meaningful relationships with colleagues, children, families and

management.

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You take pride in your roles and responsibilities. It is an expectation that you become familiar with

and learn our service policies and procedures. You use common sense when you see anything that is

a risk or a breach of the current children’s services laws, you remove it and report this immediately to

your team leader / educational leader or approved provider.

You understand that performance reviews are an ongoing cycle of monitoring and reviewing

educators’/ team leader’s performance. Staff records are kept online and it’s your responsibility to

keep this information current. We have developed a staff handbook that you need to read and

understand and sign off on.

As the Approved Provider, I expect that you will learn how to care and educate children aged 0-6

years of age through your training and daily engagement with children and educators/ teachers.

You will be mentored by fellow educators the educational leader and the Approved Provider.

I set the highest standard for educators to be the kindest, most caring people, while caring for and

educating / teaching children.

Children and families are the centre of our business without them there is no employment.

As an Early Childhood teacher, I know how important it is to create a family friendly work

environment. I have searched high and low and I have bought the most beautiful and practical

resources.

I have a strong passion for using recycled materials and caring for our environment. I know how hard

the job can be that’s why we will have an extra educator in each room so that you can engage with

children and create many learning and care opportunities. I look forward to working with you.

Cheers Melissa Collard

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

All employees must follow all our policies and procedures including our code of conduct policy. There

is a six-month probationary period. You will have performance management reviews at 4, 8, 12, 16,

20, 24 weeks.

After your 6 month probationary period should you not be performing to the level as set put in your

position description and the employee contract, the approved provider or delegate of the approved

provider can enforce a performance improvement plan for a 4 week to 8 week period, should you fail

to meet the performance improvement plan, the approved provider or delegate of the approved

provider will terminate your employment contact at Collard family kindergarten.

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At the start of the day: Participate in the daily “Happy Chant”

We believe that having employees participate in a daily “Happy chant” this will help to create a united

team. A team of happy educators/ teachers with goals and a focus on creating a happy and warm

learning environment where the individual child is the centre of everything that is planned and

unplanned in their education and care. Thus, creating a unique tailor-made curriculum (Curriculum

means any learning experience that is planned or develops as a result of intentional teaching, parent

directed learning or child initiated / directed learning).

Our Happy Chant: “We are one team here as teachers, nurtures and important people in the lives of

children, families and fellow Employees. We leave our troubles in a locked box in our locker for the

day. We are active teachers here to make a positive learning difference to the wonderful diverse

group of children and families. We are strong capable people and pride ourselves in the knowledge

that we can make a difference to children’s wellbeing.

Code of conduct policy:

We want to create a harmonious workplace for all our Employees, children and families. We know

that negativity by some Employees can bring everyone down and create a stressful and unhappy work

environment. As part of our employment conditions all employees must follow our code of conduct

policy. We will not tolerate backstabbing or negative talk about our service, another person,

employee at work or out in the public. Any employee found to be in breach of our Code of conduct

will have their employment terminated.

No employee shall come to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Anyone presenting under

the influence of drugs or alcohol will be terminated on the spot.

The Benefits of working for a family owned and operated business:

1. Above award pay, paid as end of year bonus and 4 weeks annual leave, plus we close for

children on 22.12 and have a cleaning day and lunch on the 23.12 close centre from 24

December each year and reopen on the 8th January for a staff set up day and families start

back on the 9th of January.

2. The additional 8 days paid leave are paid pro-rata (based on when you started working for us)

only if you attend the 4 Saturday PD days, to be scheduled once a term and 1 open day and

one art exhibition night per year. Otherwise it will be leave without pay.

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3. Further Training, Education Support and Career Progression Opportunities.

4. Full time employment worked over 5 days each being 7.5 hours.

5. Be supported and mentored by the Educational Leader and the Approved Provider.

6. Bonus incentives for employees, who are team players, are innovative within their team and

implement new practices to extend children’s engagement and learning, mentor employees,

and demonstrate active engagement with children, families, positive attitudes towards

difficult and challenging situations. Incentives will be movie tickets, vouchers or a gift card.

7. Fantastic Work Environment in Large Natural Surrounds

8. Supportive Team Environment

9. Great Community & Family Based Environment

10.Weekly excursions to the library, local shops, local parks

DUTIES IN RELATION TO THE CHILDREN

1. Respect and provide support and inclusion for all children, regardless of gender, cultural

background or socio-economic status.

2. Act as a positive role model, demonstrating appropriate behaviour and language.

3. Provide adequate supervision for the children, and work towards supporting colleagues in

achieving the same. No staff member should be performing another task whilst supervising

the children.

4. Be a passionate educator and strive to achieve ‘Service’ goals (as outlined in Policy Manual)

and ensure our ‘Service’ philosophy is reflected in daily practice.

5. Assist in the collection, recording and evaluation of children’s records and observations, as

required by Department of Education and Communities and National Quality Standard.

6. Use your common sense. If something is dangerous or damaged, remove it and report it to

the room leader.

7. Communicate with the children in an open, honest manner and ensure that the child’s

perspective is regarded as unique and special.

8. Be familiar with the Early Years Learning Framework and utilise to inspire independent

learners.

9. You are a mandatory reporter and have the responsibility to report any concerns about abuse

immediately to the room leader.

IN RELATION TO FAMILIES

1. Be warm and welcoming.

2. You are not permitted to discuss a child’s development or any issues you are having with that

child to their parents / caregivers.

3. You can give simple information to a parent about the child’s day. “Billy had a great day today

he enjoyed playing in the sand pit creating”.

4. This means refer families to the lead educator when asked about the child’s development and

educational plan.

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5. Be familiar with all families; greet all families on a personal name basis. This will ensure

mutual trust and open communication.

6. Contribute with colleagues in completing the Day Book/Journal/Daily Diary ensuring that this

valuable communication tool is being fully utilised.

7. Be aware of each child and their needs.

8. Be aware of the children’s medication requirements, reporting these to the Nominated

Supervisor or colleagues who hold a current First Aid Certificate so administering can be

witnessed.

9. Attend open days and art night.

10. Ensure that all information regarding a child in your care is confidential.

11. Do not be friend any families on Facebook or any other social media.

IN RELATION TO COLLEAGUES

1. Be respectful and courteous. Happily follow the directions of the Room Leader.

2. Assist all staff in meeting the needs, supervision, health and safety of all children.

3. With the guidance of the Nominated Supervisor and colleagues, promote the highest standard

of care for the children in accordance with the National Quality Standard.

4. Work as a team, throughout the Service.

5. Help educators to set up your room and make changes as decided within the team.

6. Be considerate of fellow workers when having breaks by ensuring they are of the appropriate

length.

7. Participate in the service’s annual staff appraisals and staff reflection activities.

8. Participate in the Service’s annual professional development activities.

9. Understand that all educators are different people and bring with them, professional, cultural

and linguistic diversities. Aim to tap into this wealth of knowledge and incorporate ideas into

your own experiences.

10. Be familiar with the Grievance Policy (included in Policy Manual) and aim to discuss any

concerns or incidents to the room leader.

IN RELATION TO THE PROGRAM

1. Enjoy engaging with children, educators and families.

2. Put that smile on your face and be warm and welcoming with everyone you come in contact

with.

3. Be active and know that you can make a difference to a child’s life. You can make a child

happy and feel loved & secure.

4. When planning the program for the indoor and outdoor play spaces, a lot of thought goes into

deciding what learning outcomes educators want for the children. Educators ask many

enquiry based questions.

5. “Why do we have the home area set up to reflect children’s home life?” Then thought is given

to how to set up the room and place items in different areas. You will learn that the room

layout is intended to engage children in learning and playing. We have a large table in each

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room to reflect a child’s home life. This table is there to play games, drawing, and many other

interesting learning experiences. The playroom is set up to encourage small group play, play

for 1 or 2 children, quiet areas where children can withdraw and larger mat areas where

children can build and play.

6. Contribute to the program and planning. Share your ideas and observations.

7. Assist with the planning, implementation and evaluation of the program.

8. Assist with sourcing the developmental records of the children in your care.

9. Assist in the set up and maintenance of the indoor and outdoor environment (organising any

project material, interest areas and general preparation for the room).

10. Assist in ensuring that your room is aesthetically supporting family involvement and

representing each child and their needs and interests.

11. Seek assistance from your room leader.

12. Use your common sense, don’t wait to be asked to help with a situation, get in and do it.

IN RELATION TO THE SERVICE

1. Develop a working relationship with colleagues to ensure the effective operation of the

Service.

2. Attend staff meetings when required.

3. Assist to maintain the room’s routine and procedures in respect of daily checklists,

programming and record keeping.

4. Ensure that you are on time for your shifts, that breaks are taken at the correct time for the

correct length to aid in consistency throughout the day.

5. Participate in at least three (4) in-service courses every twelve months, to keep up-to-date

and informed on current childcare practices.

6. Encourage and maintain effective communication between yourself, colleagues and families.

7. Assist in the completion of the daily, weekly and monthly duties (cleaning, maintenance etc.)

to ensure a safe, clean and hygienic environment that is welcoming to all.

8. Immediately report all maintenance, O.H&S, and safety concerns to the room leader /

Nominated Supervisor for follow-up.

9. Follow housekeeping practices, which ensure that equipment is maintained at an optimal

level.

10. Assist in providing an environment that is safe, fun, interesting and appealing.

11. Always maintain confidentiality and adhere to the Service’s policies and the Code of Ethics

(Early Childhood Australia Inc.).

12. All employees will sign a non-disclosure statement and participate in an exit interview.

13. Ensure the daily experiences are planned and set up. Help educators as necessary, ensuring

that this valuable communication tool is being fully utilised as a means of reporting to families

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THIS ROLE REQUIRES THE EMPLOYEE TO:

This position requires you to be standing, walking and bending and sitting in a Kindergarten

environment and walking pushing pram on excursions (If you work in the under 3 rooms), for the

duration of your shift.

Administration tasks will be performed in a seated position at a desk or standing at a stand-up desk.

Employees are to sit on adult sized chairs. Employees are not permitted to sit on children’s chairs or

tables.

At Collard family Kindergarten we pride ourselves on being a cut above our competitors. This means

that all Employees wear our centre uniform with pride and act in a respectful courteous manor when

at work or out in public. You are not permitted to smoke in your uniform or within 1 kilometre of the

centre.

Be punctual and well groomed. Arrive 10 minutes before your shift, put your bag away and ready to

walk onto the floor for your shift. Meet with your team leader and discuss the day and learning

experiences planned and intentional teaching that you have for the day.

CENTRE UNIFORM

We want our staff to look very professional and a cut above our competitors. We want you to wear

your uniform with pride. The centre uniform is comfortable and very practical. Educators/teachers

need to wear a watch every shift. Black tailored pants or navy pants, Centre shirt, navy or black

cardigan, black runners, or black Mary Jane shoes, or black closed shoes. Your shoes must be polished

and kept in good condition. For the colder months you will need a long black winter coat to your

knees. For the hotter months you will need to follow our Sun Smart Policy. Centre uniform must be

clean and ironed. No track pants, leggings, track suit pants or tops, ballet or slip on shoes is allowed.

Hair must be clean neat and tidy and long hair put up. No loose jewellery is permitted. Nail polish

must be clear, and nails kept in good condition. Staff need to be freshly showered and wear non

perfumed deodorant. As we are Asthma smart service staff are not permitted to wear perfume.

Prior to being appointed to this position it is required that there is a full disclosure of any pre-existing

injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position.

I have received, reviewed and understand the responsibilities as the EDUCATOR.

I also acknowledge that I am responsible for the satisfactory execution of these responsibilities and will adhere to

all requirements as set out in the Job Description.

EMPLOYEE NAME DATE

EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE

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HR: Catherine Bonadio DATE

HR: SIGNATURE

RELEVANT STANDARDS AND ELEMENTS

QUALITY AREA 1: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND PRACTICE

1.1 Program The educational program enhances each child’s learning and development.

1.2 Practice Educators facilitate and extend each child’s learning and development.

1.3 Assessment and

planning

Educators and co-ordinators take a planned and reflective approach to

implementing the program for each child.

QUALITY AREA 2: CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND SAFETY

2.1 Health Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted.

2.2 Safety Each child is protected.

QUALITY AREA 3: PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Design The design of the facilities is appropriate for the operation of a service.

3.2 Use The service environment is inclusive, promotes competence and supports

exploration and play-based learning.

QUALITY AREA 4: STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS

4.1 Staffing

Arrangements Staffing arrangements enhance children's learning and development.

4.2 Professionalism Management, educators and staff are collaborative, respectful and ethical.

QUALITY AREA 5: RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN

5.1 Relationships

between

educators and

Respectful and equitable relationships are maintained with each child.

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Children

5.2

Relationships

between

children

Each child is supported to build and maintain sensitive and responsive

relationships.

QUALITY AREA 6: COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

6.1

Supportive

relationships

with families

Respectful relationships with families are developed and maintained and families

are supported in their parenting role.

6.2 Collaborative

partnerships Collaborative partnerships enhance children’s inclusion, learning and wellbeing.

QUALITY AREA 7: GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP

7.1 Governance Governance supports the operation of a quality service.

7.2 Leadership Effective leadership builds and promotes a positive organisational culture and

professional learning community.

How to Apply

Upload your resume with a cover letter, (insert a recent coloured photo of yourself) outlining who you

are and why you want to come and work for us. Address the selection criteria, by writing down in a

couple of lines or a paragraph highlighting your experience.

Please attach a coloured copy of your qualifications, (Asthma, Anaphylaxis, First aid level 2), Current

Working with children check card or VIT card, National Police check, Driver license or Photo ID, Right

to work in Australia Visa, (if this applies to you)

If you are successful for an interview you will need to bring in with you a coloured photo copy of the

following documents: Qualifications, Working with children’s check card, VIT card, First aid, Vic roads

driver history, these documents need to be certified by a chemist or a police officer, stamped and

dated for our records. Please remember not to wear perfume or strong-smelling deodorant.

Referrer checks:

All staff need to have 2 professional references. We need the contact details of your current home

room teacher who can give you a reference. If you have a part time job you can use your manager as

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the other one. If not you can use another adult who can speak to your character and suitability for

the above position.

We wish you every success with your application and look forward to hearing from you and hopefully

meeting you at an interview.

Sincerely Melissa Collard: Approved provider, Catherine Bonadio: HR & Office manager & Bianca

Collard: Educational Leader/Nominated Supervisor

Selection criteria: What you need to be successful? Please write a short couple of lines answering

each question. The information you give will help us to get to know you and place staff together in

rooms.

1. Tell us about yourself?

2. What experience do you have working with children / working / in another role?

3. Why do you want to leave school and start working in our childcare centre?

4. What motivates you? Great team, flexible working conditions, stimulating employer, extra

training, money, movie tickets, lunch voucher, extra planning time, more annual leave?

5. What sort of person are you? Do you have an extraverted personality or introverted

personality? Please Google if you are unsure of your personality type. This will help us to

place you in a team. (There is no wrong answer, we are all individuals) Do you have an

outgoing personality; need to know the answer now? Or are you a quiet type, need time to

think before giving an answer?

6. What are your strengths, good at ?

7. We operate our childcare centre under laws that have been passed in our parliament. We

must follow these laws.

8. Google “Education & Care Services National Law or National Regulations”,

List 3 laws and tell us why they are important in caring for and educating children?

9. The Abecedarian 3 a Approach Australia is a set of strong teaching and learning strategies.

Write a couple of lines on each one telling us how you would use this type of learning

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strategies in your program planning. (Go to our website and read our Curriculum program,

this will give you a good understanding of the program we offer)

The learning priorities are: 1. Language Priority 2. Learning games 3. Conversational Reading

4. Enriched caregiving

10. Tell us a time when there was conflict with a friend and the actions you took to resolve the

conflict. What did you learn from this experience? Who did you go to for support and help?

11. What areas do you believe you need support and further support and training? (We expect

everyone will need some support and further training, this is not a negative, it gives us a guide

to how we can support and extend your skills)

12. We want all our employees able to teach baby massage/ baby yoga and Yoga to children as

part of the daily routine. Tell us how you are going to learn to do this or do you already

incorporate yoga into your daily routines?

13. Thank you for taking the time to write your application. Should you be successful in gaining

an interview we will contact you within 3 weeks of the closing date. If you don’t hear from us,

you have not been successful, and we wish you well.

If you are a successful applicant what shift would you like to work, please list 3 shifts, 1 being your

preferred shift and why you want this shift? We will work hard to try and give everyone your first 2

options.

Full time positions are worked over 4 days or 5 days. Shifts are either 7.5 hours or 10 hours long, e.g.

6.15-4.15 with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break, plus a 30-minute paid tea break.

Shifts Available:

1: 8- 4pm worked 5 days a week 2. Second shift: 10-6 worked over 5 days

Third shift: 9-3 worked over five days.