Positions in Early Education and Care Services
The key roles in Early Education and Care Services act to drive leadership of the service to empower staff, support families, and provide quality care to children in Early Learning Services.
Education NSW has provided a resource for understanding and identifying the key roles in Early Education and Care Services and how they form the leadership of your service. This resource is provided to support your understanding of the Guide to the National Quality Framework and the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.
Key Roles in Early Education and Care Services
The leadership key roles in Early Education and Care Services include the:
- Approved Provider;
- Nominated Supervisor;
- Personals with Management and Control;
- Responsible Persons;
- Person in Day-to-Day Charge;
- Educational Leader; and
- Room Leaders.
The following image from Education NSW can be used to understand the key roles in Early Education and Care Services and how they may relate to one another.
Understanding the Key Roles of Early Education and Care Services
All education and care services approved under the National Law are required to keep a record of their compliance and this includes the leaders of Early Education and Care Services.
Our resources are designed for your service and educators to support them in their role and record keeping which is required under the NQS. Our resources have been tailored to the key roles in Early Education and Care Services to provide all leadership positions the tools they need to meet their obligations.
Approved Providers and Persons with Management or Control
Approved Providers are the legal entity that holds provider and service approval under the National Law. Among other things, it is the responsibility of the Approved Provider to ensure they have employed the other key leaders in their Early Education and Care Service. In addition to staffing, health and safety, documentation is the responsibility of the Approved Provider. Although other key roles often assume responsibility for these, as the Approved Provider you are obligated to ensure these areas are all compliant.
Often Approved Providers are also the Person in Management or Control or a Centre Director may be placed in this role. These persons have the same legal responsibilities as Approved Providers.
To support you in your role, Butler Diaries has included tools for Approved Providers and Persons with Management or Control;
Nominated Supervisor Diary, Family Day Care Co-Ordinator Diary, FDC Compliance Checklist Diary, The Childcare Centre Diary, Early Childhood Cooks Diary
Transportation Log, Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record Triplicate Book, FDC Excursion Risk Management Plan Duplicate Book, Administration of Medication Record Triplicate Book, FDC Co-ordinator Excursion Approval Duplicate Book, Visitor Sign-In Duplicate Book, FDC Weekly Attendance and Sign-In Duplicate Book
Nominated Supervisors and Responsible Persons
Services are required to have employed at least one Nominated Supervisor. Nominated Supervisors support Approved Providers and Persons with Management and Control in their day-to-day management. This includes ensuring:
- safe practice,
- service standards,
- supervision, and
- health and safety
are to the highest quality standard. Nominated Supervisors are also responsible for ensuring their Educational Leaders have the tools they need to provide consistent programming support in line with frameworks and all staff have access to ongoing development.
A responsible person may be the Nominated Supervisor, the Approved Provider, a Person with Management or Control, or a Person in Charge of Day-to-Day Operations. A responsible person must be present at the centre at all times.
To support you in your role as Nominated Supervisor, Butler Diaries offers the following resources;
Nominated Supervisor Diary, Family Day Care Co-Ordinator Diary, FDC Compliance Checklist Diary, The Childcare Centre Diary, Early Childhood Cooks Diary
Transportation Log, Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record Triplicate Book, FDC Excursion Risk Management Plan Duplicate Book, Administration of Medication Record Triplicate Book, FDC Co-ordinator Home Visit Duplicate Book, FDC Co-ordinator Excursion Approval Duplicate Book, Visitor Sign-In Duplicate Book, FDC Weekly Attendance and Sign-In Duplicate Book
Educational Leaders
The development and implementation of programming and practice in Early Education and Care Services is the responsibility of the Educational Leader. Their primary responsibilities include leading an effective program that is guided by learning frameworks, supporting educators in implementing the cycle of planning, and guiding family and staff in the importance of frameworks, programming, and practice. You can learn more about the expectations of Educational Leaders by downloading our free checklist.
Butler Diaries has created tools specifically for Educational Leaders to meet and exceed their responsibilities and support their educators in meeting theirs;
For Educational Leaders:
For Staff Programming and Reflection:
Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary (for QLD, for OSHC), Central Outdoor Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary, Individual Observations Duplicate Book, Programming and Reflection Printer Pack
Our Sustainable Year Wall Calendar, Our Culturally Responsive Year Wall Calendar, Child's Journals
Early Childhood Teachers
An Early Childhood Teacher holds an approved teaching qualification. Early Education and Care Services are required to have at least one. However, the requirements for Early Childhood Teachers vary according to the service. The responsibilities of Early Childhood Teachers include:
- working with children,
- developing programs,
- mentoring and supporting educations, and
- performing roles and responsibilities of the Educational Leader.
For Early Childhood Teachers, Butler Diaries has the following tools to support you and your educators in their roles;
The Educational Leader Diary, The Childcare Centre Diary, OSHC Diary, Family Day Care Diary
Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary (for QLD, for OSHC), Central Outdoor Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary, Individual Observations Duplicate Book, Programming and Reflection Printer Pack
Our Sustainable Year Wall Calendar, Our Culturally Responsive Year Wall Calendar, Child's Journals
Room Leaders and Educators
Room Leaders and Educators are responsible for developing and implementing programs within their own room as well as ensuring supervision, the health and safety, and inclusion of all children.
Butler Diaries has the following programming and reflection tools to support you in your responsibilities:
The Childcare Centre Diary, OSHC Diary, Family Day Care Diary
Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary (for QLD, for OSHC), Central Outdoor Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary, Individual Observations Duplicate Book, Programming and Reflection Printer Pack
Our Sustainable Year Wall Calendar, Our Culturally Responsive Year Wall Calendar, Child's Journals
For more information and important organisations, refer to Education NSW's resource.
