Classification standards for academic and professional staff positions

Classification descriptors for child care staff

All employees shall be classified by the University into one of the levels contained in this clause in accordance with the employee’s skills, responsibilities, qualifications and duties.

Children’s Services Employee level 1

This is an employee who has no formal qualifications but is able to perform work within the scope of this level. This employee will work under direct supervision in a team environment, and will receive guidance and direction at all times. This employee will receive structured and regular on-the-job training to perform the duties expected at this level. Normally, an employee at this level will not be left alone with a group of children.

An employee at this level is being introduced to the working environment and is undertaking the following indicative duties:

• learning and implementing the policies, procedures and routines of the service;
• learning how to establish relationships and interacting with the children;
• learning the basic skills required to work in this environment with children;
• giving each child individual attention and comfort as required; and
• basic duties including food preparation, cleaning, or gardening

A Level 1 employee shall progress to the next level after a period of one year or earlier if the employer considers the employee capable of performing the work at the next level or if the employee actually performs work at the next level.

Children’s Services Employee level 2

This is an employee who has completed 12 months in Level 1, or a relevant AQF Certificate II, or in the opinion of the employer has sufficient knowledge and experience to perform the work within the scope of this level.

An employee at this level has limited knowledge and experience in children’s services and is expected to take limited responsibility for their own work. A Level 2 employee undertakes the following indicative duties:

• assist in the implementation of the children’s program under supervision;
• assist in the implementation of daily care routines;
• develop awareness of and assist in maintenance of the health and safety of the children in care;
• give each child individual attention and comfort as required;
• understand and work according to the centre or service’s policies and procedures;
• responsible for food preparation, cleaning, gardening or general maintenance under the guidance of the Assistant Director/Director; and
• demonstrate knowledge of hygienic handling of food and equipment

Children’s Services Employee level 3

This is an employee who has completed AQF Certificate III in Children’s Services or an equivalent qualification or, alternatively, this employee shall possess, in the opinion of the employer, sufficient knowledge or experience to perform the duties at this level. An employee appointed at this level will undertake the same duties and perform the same tasks as a CSE Level 2 employee, and will undertake the following additional indicative duties:

• assist in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of developmentally appropriate programs for individual children or groups;
• responsible for recording observations of individual children or groups for program planning purposes for qualified staff;
• under direction, work with individual children with particular needs;
• assist in the direction of untrained staff;
• undertake and implement the requirements of quality assurance; and
• work in accordance with food safety regulations

Children’s Services Employee level 4

This is an employee who has completed a Diploma in Children’s Services or equivalent as recognised by licensing authorities and is appointed as the person in charge of a group of children in the age range from birth to 12 years.

An employee appointed at this level will take on the same duties and perform the same tasks as a CSE Level 3 and undertake the following additional indicative duties:

• responsible, in consultation with the Assistant Director/Director for the preparation, implementation and evaluation of a developmentally appropriate program for individual children or groups of children in care;
• responsible for the direction and general supervision of other employees up to CSE Level Three;
• responsible to the Assistant Director/Director for the supervision of students on placement;
• ensure a safe environment is maintained for both staff and children;
• ensure that records are maintained accurately for each child in their care;
• develop, implement and evaluate daily care routines;
• ensure the centre or service’s policies and procedures are adhered to; and
• liaise with families

Children’s Services Employee level 5

This is an employee who has completed an [AQF 5] Diploma in Children’s Services or equivalent and is appointed as either an Assistant Director of a service, or a Children’s Services Coordinator.

An Assistant Director will take on the same duties and perform the same tasks as a CSE Level 4 and be responsible for the following additional indicative duties:

• co-ordinate and direct the activities of employees engaged in the implementation and evaluation of developmentally appropriate programs;
• contribute, through the Director, to the development of the centre or service’s policies;
• coordinate centre or service operations including Occupational Health and Safety, program planning, staff training;
• take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the centre or service in the temporary absence of the Director and for management and compliance with licensing and all statutory and QIAS issues; and
• generally supervise all employees within the service

A Children’s Services Coordinator undertakes additional responsibilities including coordinating the activities of more than one group, supervising staff, trainees and students on placement, and assisting in administrative functions.

Children’s Services Employee level 6 - Director

A Director is an employee who holds:

• a relevant Degree; or
• an AQF Advanced Diploma; or
• a Diploma in Children’s Services; or
• a Diploma in Out of Hours Care, or
• is a person possessing such experience, or holding such qualifications deemed by the employer to be appropriate to the position;

and

• is appointed as the Director of a Service and is responsible for the overall management and administration of the service with the following additional indicative duties:
• supervise the implementation of developmentally appropriate programs for children;
• recruit staff in accordance with relevant regulations;
• maintain day-to-day accounts and handle all administrative matters;
• ensure that the centre or service adheres to all relevant regulations and statutory requirements;
• ensure that the centre or service meets or exceeds quality assurance requirements;
• liaise with families and outside agencies;
• formulate and evaluate annual budgets;
• liaise with management committees or proprietors as appropriate;
• provide professional leadership and development to staff; and
• develop and maintain policies and practices for the centre or service

A Director Level 1 is an employee appointed as the Director of a service licensed for up to 39 children and is paid at the Level 6.1 to 6.3 salary range.

A Director Level 2 is an employee appointed as the Director of a service licensed for between 40 and 59 children and is paid at the Director Level 6.4 to 6.6 salary range.

A Director Level 3 is an employee appointed as the Director of a service licensed for 60 or more children and is paid at the Level 6.7 to 6.9 salary range.

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