We are a highly motivated, experienced and innovative team and we support our people to be their best.

As a Garden Educator and Horticulturist, you will be passionate about both the environment, health and nutrition and educating children.

As the Garden Educator you will be responsible for designing and developing a food garden program that supports children learning age-appropriate skills of growing a food garden and understanding the concept behind growing your own food. This will be developed in the framework of the centre’s trademark Playground to Plate philosophy.

The successful applicant will have a horticulture qualification and teaching experience is ideal but optional. Candidates who have previously worked with children in the past will be highly regarded.

About the Role

As the Garden Educator & Horticulturist at South St Early Learning Centre (ELC) you will:

• Develop and facilitate a fun, engaging and age-appropriate Playground to Plate program that promotes inquiry which focuses on making learning an active learning program where children are encouraged.
• Provide opportunities for children to cook with the produce at each harvest and environmental practices are embedded throughout the program.
• Ensure the Playground to Plate program is guided by the centre philosophy and the Early Years Learning Framework.
• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders including developing and promoting professional, reciprocal relationships with families, children, colleagues and the Lead Garden Educator.
• Maintain the food garden and surrounding gardens, including indoor plants.
• Maintain the planting/harvesting cycle of the garden.

Benefits

• Participate in paid, customised professional learning around educational leadership, pedagogy and practice, team culture and philosophy development
• Workshops and ongoing mentoring with or internal Playground to Plate team
• Generous childcare discounts
• Wellbeing initiatives: fully stocked staff kitchen, wellness areas for relaxation during rest breaks, annual subscription to the ‘Calm’ mindfulness app, access to our in-person EAP service

• Internal career advancement opportunities across our network of centres
• Recognition for hard work and contributions to children's learning, relationships, and team culture
• Above award remuneration, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• High Quality and well-resourced centre that supports an optimal learning environment.

About You

We are seeking applicants who have;

• A relevant qualification in Horticulture or similar (essential)
• A teaching qualification (ideal)
• Previous experience working with children (ideal)
• Current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Management certifications
• Eligibility to work in Australia and a working with children check.

About Us

South St Early Learning Centre (ELC) is a leading provider of high-quality childcare and early learning services in the Hadfield community.

We believe that it takes a village to raise a child, therefore we are active partners who create collaborative relationships with families and the Hadfield community.

Our purpose-built centre offers a warm, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can thrive and develop to their full potential. We embrace a tailored and holistic approach to education, focusing on each child's developmental needs and interests.

We offer a secure and safe environment where curiosity is encouraged, concepts are explored and discovery is celebrated. Across our centres, we have additional programs shaped by the local community. These may include the;

• Playground to Plate ® program with a dedicated Horticulturalist embedding nutrition, sustainability and environmental awareness
• Cooking classes
• Art classes
• Language classes
• Bush kinder program.

You will be joining a small group of family owned and operated centres across Melbourne. We are truly committed to supporting the education and growth of young children and our team.