Inspire curiosity, nurture a lifelong love of learning, and help shape children’s earliest years on a vibrant University campus.

Competitive annual salary plus super
1 full-time, continuing position
Banksia Cottage, U@MQ Ltd — Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Do you believe the early years are a unique and valuable time in a child’s life? At Banksia Cottage, one of Campus Life’s early learning centres on Macquarie University’s campus, you’ll help lead a team in delivering a high-quality, inclusive early learning program. You’ll be part of a welcoming community where children’s wellbeing, relationships and professional learning are valued.

About the Role

We’re looking for an Early Childhood Teacher to join the team at Banksia Cottage. Reporting to the Centre Manager, you’ll be an advocate for children and work with the room team to develop, implement and evaluate a high-quality educational program.

You’ll bring a strong understanding of child development, a commitment to inclusive practice, and the confidence to support a team. You’ll also undertake Room Leader and Responsible Person duties as required.

Your key responsibilities include:

Developing, implementing and evaluating the educational program, including maintaining developmental records.
Applying your knowledge of child development to support children’s learning and wellbeing.
Interacting positively and respectfully with children and families.
Working collaboratively within a large and diverse team.
Maintaining current knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards.
Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion activities.
Contributing to professional development and continuous improvement.
Supervising a small team and supporting team performance, with guidance from the Centre Manager.
Undertaking Room Leader and Responsible Person duties as required.
Following approved policies and procedures to help keep children safe, including those relating to child protection, supervision, health and wellbeing.

You’ll also enjoy a range of benefits, including:

Education and professional development opportunities
Paid lunch breaks, with no requirement to remain on the premises
Paid staff meetings and generous release time
Free access to the Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
Additional paid concessional days
Staff wellbeing and support services, including an employee flu vaccination program
Discounted corporate health insurance
Bonus discounts and reward points at Campus Life outlets

About Us

U@MQ Ltd is a not-for-profit controlled entity of Macquarie University, known as Campus Life. Located at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus in North Ryde, Campus Life operates four early learning centres providing high-quality education for children from six weeks of age, as well as a vacation care program for primary school-aged children.

Banksia Cottage is one of these centres. Its philosophy recognises children as independent people whose rights, identities, voices and choices are encouraged and respected. Play, strong relationships, connection with nature, and a commitment to ongoing learning are central to the centre’s approach. You can read more in the Banksia Cottage Philosophy.

Campus Life has access to university spaces and facilities to support and enhance its programs, and collaborates regularly with the University community, including the Macquarie School of Education.

We are committed to the safety of children and our people. We embrace diversity, welcome our people as they are, and prioritise professional development. At Campus Life, you’ll be part of a dynamic, committed and supportive team.

We share the values of Courage, Agility, Rigour, Empowerment and Support (CARES), and aim to make them visible in our actions and words.

About You

You’re a passionate early childhood professional who believes in the value of quality early education and the relationships that underpin it. You bring a sound understanding of child development, an inclusive and collaborative approach, and a commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing.

You’re confident supporting a team and contributing to a positive learning environment. You will share our organisational values of Courage, Agility, Rigour, Empowerment and Support (CARES), and demonstrate them through your actions and interactions.

Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and evaluating high-quality, inclusive educational programs, with sound knowledge of child development and appropriate strategies for interacting with young children,
Previous experience working with children aged 0-5 years in an early learning setting,
Demonstrated ability to supervise children effectively, maintain a clean and safe environment, as well as understand child protection laws and responsibilities as a Mandatory Reporter,
Experience supervising a team, including coaching and developing staff and providing direction and constructive feedback,
Sound knowledge of the National Quality Framework, including the National Law, Regulations, National Quality Standards and Early Years Learning Framework,
Understanding of the responsibilities of a Responsible Person,
Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build respectful and ethical relationships with children, families and colleagues, and
Computer literacy, including experience with Microsoft Office 365

Qualifications & Specific Requirements

The following must be current or completed before commencement:

ACECQA-approved degree in early childhood education
Current NESA accreditation
Approved First Aid qualification and approved Asthma and Anaphylaxis qualification
NSW Working with Children Check and a Police Check
Food Handling training
Current Child Protection training, including a recognised course code for CHCPRT025 – Identify and Report Children and Young People at Risk
Current child safety training (Geccko)
An Early Learning Prohibition Notice Declaration

*** You must have full unrestricted work rights in Australia.

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about being part of an inclusive, vibrant and team-oriented organisation, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining how you meet the selection criteria and requirements above.

For general enquiries or a copy of the Position Description, please contact Marina Galstyan on 02 9850 7781, or marina.galstyan@mq.edu.au.

If you need support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can provide the support you need.

Applications close: Sunday 25 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (AEDT)

*** We reserve the right to progress or decline an application before the closing date.

Child Safe Commitment

Campus Life is committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all children and young people who participate in our programs, and to protecting them from foreseeable harm.

We take all allegations and complaints about children’s safety and wellbeing seriously. Every Campus Life employee has a responsibility to understand their role in keeping children and young people safe and to meet their legal obligations to report child abuse and neglect.

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct and strong integrity. Before an offer of employment is finalised, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role.

Employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks to the satisfaction of the University.

A Place Where You Belong

At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

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