Early Childhood Educator
Shine Bright Irymple

**Please contact the Northern Mallee LLEN directly to organise this placement, please do not contact the Kindergarten directly, all dates to be negotiated**

Are you interested in pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education? If so, this is a perfect opportunity to gain experience and learn about career pathways with Shine Bright.
Shine Bright EYM has sessional kindergartens across Mildura, all with their own unique settings and staff teams. The kindergartens run educational programs and practices in line with the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standards. Through play-based learning opportunities kindergarten offers children quality early education while supporting and responding to individual needs of all children.

Indoor/outdoor play is encouraged to allow children agency in their learning. Educators carefully curate the learning experiences to be grounded in play with strong intentional teaching focuses. While children play and have fun, they are building essential skills and the foundation of all future learning. All of the play spaces incorporate age-appropriate equipment and resources, while enhancing the children’s awareness of their greater environment, as well as their understanding of the importance of sustainability. The environments may consist of sandpits, veggie patches, garden beds, a balance of manmade and natural play surfaces, cubby house, dirt patches as well as plenty of shade and opportunities for quiet moments of solitude.

The team includes passionate, caring, and talented educators who pride themselves on implementing engaging and holistic programs that meet the needs of the children in their care

Skills You Might Learn

Students should have a genuine interest in working with children, be responsible, have good interpersonal skills and a friendly disposition.

Throughout the placement students are expected to:
· Be punctual
· Dress appropriately
· Maintain interest and participate where appropriate
· Be well mannered and behave in a respectful and responsible manner
· Listen and take direction from supervisors and colleagues
· Be aware of confidentiality and privacy considerations when working with children and families.

Personal mobile phones and smart watches are not to be used or worn, devices are to be placed in a designated locker. The use of such devices can only be used out of work hours or on meal breaks.

Arrangement forms and associated forms (below) must be completed and signed off two weeks prior to the placement. These forms will be supplied at time of confirmation.
· Travel and Accommodation Form
· Child Safety & Confidentiality
· Media Release

Students must also contact the kindergarten and arrange an Induction during the week prior to placement, preferably Thursday or Friday after 4:00pm

Typical Tasks & Duties

· Prepare, set up and pack up learning experiences and play spaces
· Interact with children during play (as modelled/directed by educators)
· Support routines and transitions (arrivals, pack up, meals) in line with supervision requirements
· Assist with hygiene, cleaning and basic risk controls; report hazards
· Follow service policies (child safety, privacy/confidentiality, allergy-aware, sun safety)

Attend brief check-ins with the supervisor and complete agreed reflection activities

Student Requirements

Employability skills may include:
· Communication, teamwork and professional conduct
· Punctuality, presentation and time management
· Working under supervision (following instructions and responding to feedback)
· Safety awareness (OHS, child safety, hygiene, privacy/confidentiality)

Industry skills/knowledge may include:
· How play-based programs are planned and delivered (VEYLDF/NQS awareness)
· Supporting children’s learning through guided interactions and routines
· Supervision practices, professional boundaries and behaviour guidance approaches

Introduction to documentation and centre operations (as permitted and supervised)

Dress Requirements

Wear neat casual attire for indoor and outdoor play, sitting on the floor and be mindful of paint, mud etc. and comfortable enclosed shoes that you can move in quickly.
Please do not wear short shorts, spaghetti straps, open toed shoes or revealing outfits. If hair is longer than shoulder length it must be worn up, and discreet jewellery preferred for reasons of safety (e.g., no dangly earrings).

Special Transport Requirements

Public transport is available