Hiring a Nominated Supervisor for Your Victorian Childcare Centre: What You Must Know

The Nominated Supervisor is one of the most significant appointments an approved childcare provider makes — and one of the most legally regulated. Getting this hire right protects your service's registration, your NQF compliance and your reputation.

Here's what Victorian approved providers and centre directors must understand before recruiting for this role.

WHAT IS A NOMINATED SUPERVISOR?

Under the Education and Care Services National Law, every approved service must have a Nominated Supervisor — an individual nominated by the approved provider to have overall management and control of the service in their capacity as Nominated Supervisor.

The Nominated Supervisor must consent to their nomination and must possess the qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience to manage a quality service. The approved provider is responsible for ensuring the Nominated Supervisor meets these requirements.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A Nominated Supervisor must hold — not be actively studying towards — an approved diploma-level or higher qualification in early childhood education and care, or a degree in a relevant field. An individual without a completed Diploma cannot be appointed as Nominated Supervisor.

For services requiring a certain ratio of ECT staff, the Nominated Supervisor may also be required to hold ECT-level qualifications.

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NOMINATED SUPERVISOR

The Nominated Supervisor role carries significant legal responsibility under the National Law. The Nominated Supervisor can be held personally liable for contraventions of the Law and Regulations that occur while they are in their role. This includes ratio breaches, qualification non-compliance, mandatory reporting failures and other regulatory obligations.

Candidates for Nominated Supervisor roles should understand this liability clearly before accepting the role. Vhire briefs Nominated Supervisor candidates on this responsibility as standard.

RECRUITING FOR A NOMINATED SUPERVISOR

Given the qualification requirements, legal responsibility and leadership expectations, Nominated Supervisor recruitment requires a more thorough process than general educator recruitment.

Key assessment areas: confirmed Diploma or higher qualification documentation, WWCC validity, demonstrated understanding of the National Law obligations, experience managing a team, track record of NQF compliance management, and motivation to hold the role with its attendant responsibilities.

HOW VHIRE RECRUITS NOMINATED SUPERVISORS FOR VICTORIAN SERVICES

Vhire applies additional screening depth for Nominated Supervisor roles, including specific assessment of candidate understanding of the National Law responsibilities and verification of all qualification documentation before presentation.

Contact Vhire at info@vhire.com.au or visit vhire.com.au/hire-staff.