Childcare Recruitment Agency | Sydney & Nationwide
Specialist childcare recruitment agency placing permanent leaders across Early Childhood Education and OSHC services in Sydney and nationwide.
- Candidate Screened
- Requirements Met
Roles we recruit for
At Firefly HR, we believe great services start with great leaders.
We specialise in recruiting for OSHC and ECE leadership and management roles, helping organisations build teams that inspire excellence and create meaningful impact.
Whether you’re a single-site preschool in Sydney’s inner west or a multisite OSHC operator with services across the country, we find leaders who fit.
Why Permanent Childcare Recruitment Is Different
Permanent recruitment in early childhood and OSHC isn’t like other industries. The right candidate needs more than the right qualification — they need to understand the National Quality Framework, align with your service’s philosophy, and earn the trust of families from day one.
That’s why we don’t post-and-pray. Every search starts with understanding your service: your ratios, your culture, your rating history, and what’s changed since your last hire. We then work our networks to find candidates who aren’t necessarily on Seek — experienced leaders who are open to the right opportunity, not actively applying to everything.
Permanent placements only
We don't do casual or relief. Our entire focus is on finding the right long-term fit
ECE and OSHC specialists
Our team has worked in the sector, not just recruited for it.
Sydney-based, nationally active
Headquartered in Sydney with active networks across Australia.
Tailored search
We source beyond the platforms to reach candidates your competitors can't find.
Ongoing support
We stay involved after placement to make sure the hire lands well.
Values-led Childcare Recruitment
Sourcing that reaches further
We source talent beyond advertising, reaching exceptional candidates not actively seeking roles.
Quality Assured
Expert vetting filters out noise, giving you trusted shortlists.
Support beyond hiring
Professional guidance through ongoing support and sector-specific training.
Our Clients Love Us
Candidate
The service we received was exceptional. Barbi and James took the time to get to know how we operate and what we needed in a director. Their communication skills are excellent, and any correspondence was always received in a timely manner. The entire Firefly team have in-depth knowledge of the early childhood sector which makes them a standout in the recruitment field. We would highly recommend Firefly HR.
Client
Firefly HR is our go to for recruitment in the OOSH industry. They have extensive knowledge and are able to provide high quality applicants as well as constant support throughout the hiring process. We are a return client several times over.
Client
The recruitment process was delivered seamlessly by James. It is obvious that there is a strong focus on client satisfaction and candidate success, and that Fireflyhr pride themselves on delivering exceptional recruitment services. Highly recommend!
Candidate
James and Barbi are dedicated and passionate child care professionals which they know the important qualities of OSHC leaders. In our recent experience in hiring the Assistant Coordinator through them, we were appreciated that they took the time to understand our values and the types of talent which could match us. They supported us and the candidates throughout the process which everything was handled professionally. Highly recommend them!
Client
Transforming Leadership
Because we only work with childcare leaders, we specialise in what leadership means. We know how important it is to align culture & care, and that’s why we make sure our childcare recruitment is bespoke to each service we work with.
Australia's Most Trusted Childcare Recruitment Agency
Looking for a childcare leader that fits your service? Find your next star hire with Firefly HR.
FAQs
What would you like to know about Firefly HR?
How long does a typical recruitment search take?
It varies depending on the role and location, but most searches reach shortlist stage within 2–4 weeks. Senior and executive roles may take longer depending on market availability.
What does the process look like?
We start with a consultation to understand your service, culture and requirements. From there we conduct a targeted search, vet and interview candidates, and present a curated shortlist. We support you through interviews, reference checks and the offer process.
What types of roles does Firefly HR recruit for?
We specialise in permanent leadership and management roles across Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC). This includes service directors, nominated supervisors, educational leaders, area managers, operations managers, and C-suite roles for childcare organisations.
Do you place casual or relief educators?
No. We focus exclusively on permanent placements. If you're looking for casual or relief staff, we're not the right fit, but we're happy to point you in the right direction.
Which locations do you recruit for?
We're based in Sydney and place candidates across Australia, with active networks in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. The majority of our placements are in Sydney and greater NSW.
How much does childcare recruitment cost?
Our fees are based on the role and placement type. Get in touch for a conversation, there's no obligation and no hard sell.
Barbi and James were great to deal with, informative and encouraging and kept me in the loop. With their help I’ve landed an amazing role and I’m very happy. Highly recommended Firefly! A leader of the industry.