Recruiting the right Educational Leader can be the difference between a service that just ticks the boxes and one that thrives. The role goes beyond compliance – an effective Educational Leader inspires, mentors, and embeds a culture of continuous improvement.
But how do you find that person in an interview?
A great candidate doesn’t just know the EYLF or MTOP inside out – they live it. They should be reflective, innovative, and able to uplift teams while keeping children at the heart of everything they do. Here’s how to structure your interview questions to ensure you get the right fit.
| Category | Example Questions | Why It Matters |
| Educational Leadership & Vision | “How do you inspire educators to engage with the service philosophy and continuously reflect on their practices?” | Looks at their leadership approach and ability to embed the Exceeding themes of critical reflection and continuous improvement. |
| “Can you share an example of how you’ve supported an educator struggling with the planning cycle?” | Tests their ability to coach and mentor within the curriculum decision making cycle. | |
| Service & Organisational Fit | “How would you support our service in meeting the exceeding themes of the NQS?” | Checks their understanding of what exceeding looks like in practice and their ability to lead quality improvement. |
| “What strategies would you use to engage families in the program and decision making processes?” | Links to Quality Area 6 (Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities). | |
| Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge | “If an assessor walked in today, how would you demonstrate our service’s commitment to high quality education and care?” | Gauges their confidence and ability to link their work to the NQF. |
| “Tell me about a time you had to lead the team through a difficult change, such as an audit or regulation update.” | Tests their ability to manage compliance while supporting the team. | |
| Soft Skills & Emotional Intelligence | “How do you approach difficult conversations with educators, particularly around practice improvement?” | Assesses their communication style, leadership, and ability to support educator wellbeing. |
| “If you walked into the service and noticed disengaged educators, what would you do?” | Looks at their emotional intelligence, problem solving, and coaching skills. | |
| Scenario Based & Reflective Questions | “Imagine a new educator is overwhelmed by documentation – how would you mentor them?” | Assesses their ability to support pedagogy and reflective practice. |
| “Tell me about a time when you received constructive feedback. How did you use it to improve your leadership?” | Ensures they model critical reflection, a core component of high quality practice. | |
| Curveball & Culture Fit Questions | “If you could build your ideal OSHC/ECE team from scratch, what qualities would you prioritise?” | Checks their values, leadership philosophy, and hiring mindset. |
| “What’s the best professional development you’ve ever done, and how did it impact your practice?” | Looks at their commitment to lifelong learning and ability to inspire growth in others. |
Hiring an Educational Leader isn’t just about finding someone who knows the Approved Learning Framework – it’s about finding someone who brings them to life.
- Do they lead with heart and strategy?
- Can they inspire educators while meeting compliance?
- Will they inspire growth and reflection within the team while ensuring children remain the priority?
The right questions will help you uncover the answers.
Need help finding the right leader?
At Firefly HR, we don’t just send resumes – we connect services with leaders who drive real, lasting change. With lived experience in education and care, we know these roles inside out. That’s why we take the time to truly understand your service, your team, and your needs – ensuring every placement is the right fit, not just a quick fill.
We prioritise quality, integrity, and a child first approach. Because great leadership isn’t just about managing a team – it’s about shaping environments where children thrive.
Get in touch with us to find your next Leader today.
