What Victorian Childcare Centre Directors Actually Want From a Recruitment Agency

Before building Vhire's recruitment process, we spoke to Centre Directors across regional Victoria and asked a simple question: what do you actually want from a recruitment agency?

The answers were consistent. And they were very different from what most agencies deliver.

WHAT CENTRE DIRECTORS TOLD US THEY WANT

"Don't send me CVs I have to read through. Send me two or three strong candidates with a recommendation." — Centre Director, Shepparton.

"Tell me what you're going to do differently from Seek. If you're just going to post the same ad to the same database, I can do that myself." — Centre Director, Bendigo.

"I need someone who understands the National Quality Framework and what qualifications actually matter. I've had agencies send me candidates whose qualifications aren't approved by ACECQA." — Centre Director, Warrnambool.

"Be honest with me about the timeline. If you can't fill this role in three weeks, tell me now so I can plan my ratios." — Centre Director, Ballarat.

"Follow up after they start. The last agency I used disappeared the moment the invoice was paid." — Centre Director, Horsham.

HOW VHIRE WAS BUILT AROUND THESE RESPONSES

Curated shortlists, not CV dumps: We present three to five pre-screened, pre-qualified candidates with a written recommendation for each. You don't wade through fifteen applications.

Active sourcing, not passive advertising: We source nationally — including from LinkedIn, our candidate database and international pipelines — not just from job board applications.

NQF-literate screening: Every candidate is assessed against our 7-point checklist including ACECQA qualification verification and WWCC state-specificity. We understand what qualifications count in ratios and what don't.

Honest timelines: We discuss realistic delivery expectations at the briefing stage. If the role is particularly challenging given market conditions, we tell you — and we tell you why and what we're doing about it.

Post-placement check-ins: At 30 days and 90 days after every placement, we check in with both the centre and the placed educator to ensure the match is working.

WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE

Centre Director, Shepparton (Goulburn Valley): "I had a Diploma Room Leader vacancy that had been open for eleven weeks when I contacted Vhire. They presented three candidates within eight days, two of whom were genuinely strong. I extended an offer to my preferred candidate in week two. She's been with us for six months and is already leading our kindy room."

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