Assistant Centre Kitchen Hand/Cook

Educore Pty Ltd; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Thrive Early Learning Centres is seeking a Centre Kitchen Hand to support the centre cook, plan and prepare nutritious meals for children aged 0 to 6. You will develop balanced menus, cater to allergies, and ensure food safety across the kitchen while engaging with families and staff.

The role involves maintaining records, coordinating orders, and contributing to the educational program through healthy eating discussions with children. This is a 6-month role with potential extension.

Qualifications

• Must hold Food Safety Supervisor Certificate or equivalent.
• Must hold Safe Food Handling certification.
• Current Working with Children Check for the state.
• Experience preparing meals in commercial kitchen, childcare, healthcare or hospitality.
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements.
• Understanding of allergies and dietary restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver balanced menus for 0–6 year olds.
• Cater for allergies and dietary needs.
• Review menus with families and staff.
• Prepare meals and snacks safely, minimise waste.
• Maintain food safety records and compliance.
• Monitor storage and cleanliness.
• Manage food ordering within budget.
• Contribute to educational activities on healthy eating.

Skills

Food safety

Allergies handling

Kitchen organisation

Budget food orders

Education

Food Safety Supervisor Certificate

Safe Food Handling certification

Working with Children Check

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality

First Aid certificate

Job description

Description

About the role

Our assistant Centre kitchen hand supports the centre cook and plans and prepares the food that fuels a centre full of children. You will build menus that are nutritious, appealing and safe for every child, including those with allergies, medical conditions and cultural or religious requirements, and you will run a clean, well organised kitchen.

6 month role potential to extend

What you will do

• Develop and deliver balanced menus that meet recognised nutritional guidelines for children aged 0 to 6
• Cater for allergies, medical conditions, cultural and religious requirements and individual dietary needs
• Review menus with families, educators, health professionals and centre leadership
• Prepare and serve meals and snacks safely and hygienically, and adjust quantities to attendance to minimise waste
• Maintain compliance with food safety legislation and Food Standards Australia and New Zealand requirements, and keep accurate food safety records
• Monitor storage, temperature control, stock rotation and cleaning schedules
• Manage food ordering and purchasing within budget
• Contribute to the educational program through cooking experiences and healthy eating conversations with children
• Support Thrive’s child safe commitments and report any concern

What you will bring

• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate or equivalent
• Safe Food Handling certification
• Current Working with Children Check for the state the role is based in
• Experience preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, childcare, healthcare, hospitality or similar setting
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements
• Understanding of allergies, dietary restrictions and nutritional requirements
• Experience managing food orders and kitchen supplies
• Nice to have
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality
• First Aid certificate
• Experience in early childhood education and care
• Knowledge of child nutrition for children aged 0 to 6
• Experience with sustainable kitchen practices

About Thrive

Thrive Early Learning Centres operate across New South Wales and Victoria. Our Learning for Life Curriculum and Thrive Quality Framework set the standard of education and care across our services, and our CARE values, Confidence, Attitude, Respect and Education, describe how we work with children, families and each other.

Child safety

Thrive is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children. All applicants are subject to employment screening, including a valid Working with Children Check for the state in which the role is based, and reference checks.

Company Overview

Thrive exists to deliver the highest quality care and education in early childhood, by teaching our children and teams to be leaders and confident individuals whilst understanding what it means to serve the world. At Thrive we pride ourselves on upholding our CARE Values: Confidence. The passion and confidence to shape a better community. Attitude. If it’s to be, it’s up to me. Respect. Be Honest. Be Real. Education. Committed to lifelong learning for the soul and mind.