The educational leader is designated under Regulation 118 to lead a service's educational program and practice. Day to day, that gathers around four areas: leading curriculum and pedagogy, supporting and mentoring educators, keeping critical reflection and continuous improvement moving, and holding the thread between everyday practice and the National Quality Standard.
Where the role comes from
Regulation 118 requires the approved provider to designate, in writing, a suitably qualified and experienced educator as educational leader, and Regulation 148 says that person's name must be in the staff record. Element 7.2.2 of the National Quality Standard describes the work. See the overview of the educational leader role.
The four areas of responsibility
Curriculum and pedagogy. Guiding deliberate decisions about what children experience and why, connected to the learning framework.
Supporting and mentoring educators. Building confidence and capability, room by room, person by person.
Reflection and continuous improvement. Keeping the team asking why, and feeding what changes into the Quality Improvement Plan.
Holding the thread to the NQS. Connecting everyday practice to the National Quality Standard without turning the work into a compliance exercise.
What the role is not
The educational leader is not a compliance officer, and not the person who does everyone else's planning. The role is influence and guidance: helping the team practise well, not policing them.
On the floor or off it
The National Regulations do not require the educational leader to work away from the children, and they are not prescriptive about how the role is resourced. Each service decides how to structure it. Check the current ACECQA guidance for detail.
Common questions
What are the main responsibilities of an educational leader?
Leading curriculum and pedagogy, supporting and mentoring educators, keeping critical reflection and continuous improvement moving, and connecting everyday practice to the National Quality Standard.
Is the educational leader role a legal requirement?
Yes. Regulation 118 requires the approved provider to designate, in writing, a suitably qualified and experienced educator as educational leader.
Does the educational leader have to be off the floor?
No. The regulations are not prescriptive about how the role is resourced; each service decides how to structure it.
Written by the Ask ECE editorial team and checked against ACECQA guidance and the Education and Care Services National Regulations. Last reviewed September 2026. Ask ECE links to the source and does not reproduce it.