Are you an Early Childhood Educator looking for a change in 2026?
Are you wanting to work for an organisation that focuses on quality ahead of profit?
Do you want to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young children and their families?
Multiple positions available to commence in 2026
Full time, part time, permanent, temporary and job-share opportunities
Locations; Collingwood, Fitzroy, North Carlton and Richmond
Starting salary -
- Certificate 3 trained educators (Band 3); $33.60 per hour - 36.29 per hour depending on experience
- Diploma trained educators (Band 4); $36.81 per hour - $39.61 per hour depending on experience
Yarra City Council is a Child Safe organisation.
We have strong safeguards in place to protect the wellbeing and safety of children.
Yarra City Council is currently recruiting for multiple early childhood educator positions beginning January 2026. The introduction of Pre-Prep has expanded the opportunities for children to attend our high-quality early childhood education and care services, and with it we have new exciting opportunities for early childhood educators to join our team.
At Yarra Children's Services, we put children's wellbeing at the centre of everything we do. Our vision is to "Provide high quality, inclusive education and care services that think creatively to find innovative solutions to meet our community's needs". To us, that means we meet children and families where they're at; We implement responsive routines and practice, we're trauma-informed and we value diversity. From Bush Kinders and intergenerational programs, to partnerships with Melbourne Museum and various specialist teaching programs - we pride ourselves on providing high early childhood education and care that responds to the needs of our diverse community.
Whether you're an inspiring experienced early childhood educator, an enthusiastic recently qualified educator, or you're looking for flexible casual shifts, we have opportunities for you. Yarra City Council owns and operates nine early childhood services: five long day care services and four sessional Kindergarten services. Our services are located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples in the inner east and northern suburbs of Melbourne; Fitzroy, Collingwood, North Carlton and Richmond.
The successful applicants will become integral members of our early learning team, delivering the highest standard of education and care to the youngest citizens in our diverse community. We are seeking educators who are passionate about the early years, committed to inclusive and responsive practices, and eager to explore Indigenous perspectives and trauma-informed approaches in their work.
When we asked the children about the kind of educators we should look for, they said you should be someone who can "Teach me how to use the monkey bars", "Swing me on the swings", and "Play Lego with me". In other words, they told us that they wanted us to find educators who are able to be present within their play in order to meaningfully scaffold their learning. If that sounds like you, please continue reading and apply as guided below.
As an early childhood educator at Yarra City Council, you'll:
- Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate programs in line with the Approved Learning Frameworks,
- Respond to the individual needs of children,
- Champion play as the most effective tool for learning in the early years,
- Create learning environments that ignite curiosity - both indoors and outdoors,
- Foster strong partnerships with families through open, respectful communication and engagement,
- Support the wellbeing of like-minded colleagues by using a team focussed approach.
Benefits of working as an early childhood educator with Yarra City Council:
- Salary and conditions as the Council Enterprise Agreement, which places educator wages well above the sector standard
- Two child free professional development days per year
- Annual child free pack down and set up days
- Two weeks shut down over Christmas and New Year
- RDO accrual for full-time employees
- 17.5% annual leave loading paid prior to Christmas each year
- Free professional counselling through a world-class Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Access to health and wellbeing programs, including discounted rates for Yarra aquatic and leisure centres
- Discounted yearly Myki card
Successful applicants will have:
- Approved early childhood education and care qualifications, eg. Cert 3 or Diploma of early childhood education and care,
- Current Working with Children's Check,
- Valid first aid qualification, preferably HLTAID012 - First aid in an education and care setting,
- Valid CPR training - HLTAID009,
- Trauma-aware lens that actively informs practice,
- Strong understanding of mandatory reporting obligations and know how to recognise and respond to the signs of child abuse.
For further information see the position description or contact Rachel Davies, Early Years Operations Lead via Rachel.Davies@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Certificate 3 Position Description: 
Early Childhood Educator - Band 3 - Position Description - (1).pdf
Diploma Position Description: D25 186257 Multiple Positions - Early Childhood Educator - Diploma Qualified - Community Strengthening - Position Description (.DOCX
Applications close on Thursday 4th December 2025, at 11:55pm.
To apply for this role, please upload your CV, Cover Letter and Key Selection Criteria.
Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer. We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people.
