- Training & development
- Career progression
- Become a centre manager
Training & development
At Young Academics we pride ourselves on the myriad of opportunities we present to our valued employees for ongoing professional learning and development.
The program includes regular training with educational leaders, early childhood teachers, centre managers, area managers and other members of the leadership team. Regular fortnightly education cluster meetings are scheduled with the senior management team, centre manager meetings are held every six weeks based on pedagogy and practice, and regular learning and development programs are coordinated throughout the year led by external providers.
Employees are also encouraged to attend a variety of sector-based conferences each year, with the support of Young Academics.
All employees are given an Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Learning Hub membership which is designed to help educators gain a thorough and practical understanding of standards, frameworks and research about quality practice. We chose to invest in this industry-leading platform created by Early Childhood Australia as it allows our educators to engage in professional development and training online, at no cost to them. There are hundreds of modules to choose from that are available to access anywhere, anytime.
Young Academics has also launched an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) Scholarship Program, giving five full-time employees each year the opportunity to apply for a grant of $2,000 to go towards their studies in a Bachelor of Early Education 0-5 years. This is just another way we encourage current employees to extend their knowledge and education through professional learning.
Career progression
At Young Academics, as our focus is on attracting and nurturing the best professionals in our sector, we ensure all our employees have the opportunity to develop a meaningful career with us through clear paths for development and progression.
Across all of our early learning centres and head office, our employees have access to our internal mentoring program which ensures they are well supported and personally mentored by another team member senior to them, providing access to a trusted team member to go to at all times with any questions they may have about their career with Young Academics. We also work closely with our teams to develop individualised career plans with set goals based on their level and specific interests which can include management, compliance or curriculum.
Above all, we make sure we recruit from within wherever possible, so that our employees who are keen and ready to progress to the next level have the opportunity to do so with us and remain part of the Young Academics family.
Become a centre manager
Young Academics has a policy of recruiting from within wherever possible, and in fact most of our current centre managers started as educators and worked their way up through our clear and well supported career progression paths.
As a company, Young Academics is currently going through an exciting period of expansion with over 30 centres and more new early learning centres in the pipeline. This opens up new opportunities for current and future employees– with now being the perfect time to fast track your career with Young Academics.
I began my journey with Young Academics Early Learning Centre back in 2018. Since then, I have had the pleasure of being an Early Childhood Teacher and working my way up to an Area Manager.
My career at Young Academics started as an Early Childhood Teacher and working as a Room Leader within the preschool room at Smeaton Grange.
After this time, I was then quickly promoted to Assistant Centre Manager and then Centre Manager.
During the next few months, I worked extremely hard on building a more cohesive centre, one that fostered a positive culture, forming stronger relationships with children, their families, educators and the wider community, striving towards continuous improvement and growth.
Following this, I then had the privilege to progress further within my career as an Area Manager within Young Academics overseeing various centres within the organisation. Further ensuring that the highest quality education, learning and development remained synonymous amongst all centres and educators.
At Young Academics each role has been both rewarding and challenging at times.
Having worked in the Early Childhood Education sector for over ten years and have worked in a variety of centres and locations in Western Sydney and South Western Sydney, I truly believe that Young Academics has given me the support, confidence and opportunities to grow as an educator and leader within my profession and continue to grow in my professional development.
I am very grateful to be a part of the Young Academics family. I feel truly valued within the organisation and everyday am inspired and encouraged to push my own boundaries and strive for quality education, growth and success.
Young Academics is currently going through an exciting growth phase, meaning we are constantly adding to our network of early learning centres across Sydney. All current opportunities are advertised on SEEK, check regularly so you don’t miss out on your dream role with us.