About the Role

Play Matters Australia is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Playgroup Facilitator to deliver a weekly 2 hour inclusive playgroup at Dunwich State School on Wednesdays mornings during school terms in 2024.  This position will suit a person who acknowledges the importance of learning through play and is able to empower and engage families from diverse backgrounds. This is a casual position starting 31 January 2024 for approximately 8 hours per fortnight. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Engage the local community to support  families and children through safe play experiences.
• Organise and plan the implementation of activities/experiences to achieve program outcomes.
• Ensure sessions are welcoming, inclusive and enhance participant engagement.
• Collaborate with partnering organisations to enhance program effectiveness.
• Collect and maintain accurate data entry in the appropriate information management system.

Essential Criteria:

• Holds or is eligible to hold a Working with Children Check.
• Qualifications and/or at least 1-2 years' experience in early childhood/childcare and/or community development/disability, family support or related fields.
• Adherence to policies, procedures, legal and safety obligations.
• Ability to communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working with families from varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience in group facilitation that requires the ability to model positive strength-based strategies when dealing with challenging behaviours.

About Us:

Play Matters Australia (formerly Playgroup Queensland) is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission. In conjunction with government, non-government, and community agencies, Play Matters supports and establishes state and national programs aimed at families with young children. Play Matters also acts as a voice to the government and the wider community on early childhood and parenting.

Operating for almost 50 years, our Company aims to provide children from birth to five years with the best start to their life by providing their parents and caregivers with skills and confidence to support their child through the fundamental act of play. Our Company ethos of recognising parents and caregivers as a child’s first teacher is embedded in all programs. Play Matters has developed and delivers a range of tailored, early intervention programs that are underpinned by evidenced-based methodologies. Our programs are government-funded and operate commercially across Australia.

Play Matters Australia is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Play Matters Australia acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate.  We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country. 

Diversity and inclusivity are important to Play Matters Australia and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this.  Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and physical ability. 

Play Matters Australia is Committed to Child Safety:

We have zero tolerance of child abuse. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are strictly adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Applicants should be aware that we carry out working with children and reference checks to ensure that we are recruiting the right people.

What we offer:

• A flexible and fun work environment.
• A collaborative and supportive team.
• An opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families.
• Ongoing training, development, and mentoring opportunities.

Apply today:

If you fit the criteria for this role, please send your resume and a cover letter to Debbie Morgan (dmorgan@playmatters.org.au) addressing the criteria listed above.  Applicants must be an Australian resident.