Centre Cook

Young Academics Early Learning Centre; Sydney; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Young Academics Early Learning Centre in New South Wales is seeking a Centre Cook to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for children, ensuring dietary and allergy requirements are met. You will manage daily kitchen operations, uphold food safety standards and collaborate with educators to support child health and development.

The role is a full-time position with concise shift windows and a focus on safe, high-quality food service within a childcare setting.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing and cooking food in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Current NSW Food Handler Basics Training Certificate.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and infection control practices.
• Understanding of allergy management and children's nutritional requirements.
• Current NSW Working with Children Check.
• Current National Mandatory Child Protection certification.
• Strong organisation, time management and communication skills.
• Commitment to child safety and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks in line with approved menus and Australian Dietary Guidelines.
• Cater for children's allergies, dietary, medical, cultural and developmental needs.
• Maintain a clean, organised and compliant kitchen and follow all food safety requirements.
• Manage food stock, ordering and kitchen inventory.
• Maintain accurate food safety, temperature, allergy and dietary records.
• Work collaboratively with educators and the Centre Leadership Team to support children's health and wellbeing.

Skills

Commercial kitchen experience

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Food safety and infection control

Allergy management

Child-safety safeguarding commitment

Time management

Education

Food Handler Basics Training Certificate

NSW Working with Children Check

National Mandatory Child Protection certification

Job description

Young Academics Early Learning Centre is a leading and reputable provider with more than 45 centres across New South Wales. We are seeking a passionate Centre Cook to join our Gregory Hills team.

About the Role

As our Centre Cook, you will prepare nutritious, high-quality meals and snacks that support children's health, wellbeing and development.

You will manage the day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring meals meet children's dietary, allergy, cultural and medical requirements while maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and compliance.

This position is a full-time Monday to Friday role between 6 AM and 4 PM (shift times to be confirmed).

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks in line with approved menus and Australian Dietary Guidelines.
• Cater for children's allergies, dietary, medical, cultural and developmental needs.
• Maintain a clean, organised and compliant kitchen and follow all food safety requirements.
• Manage food stock, ordering and kitchen inventory.
• Maintain accurate food safety, temperature, allergy and dietary records.
• Work collaboratively with educators and the Centre Leadership Team to support children's health and wellbeing.

About You

• Experience preparing and cooking food in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Current Food Handler Basics Training Certificate.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and infection control practices.
• Understanding of allergy management, anaphylaxis and children's nutritional requirements.
• Current NSW Employee Working with Children Check.
• Current National Mandatory Child Protection certification.
• Strong organisation, time management and communication skills.
• A genuine commitment to child safety and safeguarding.

Child Safety Matters

At Young Academics, we prioritise children's safety and wellbeing. Our values, actions and decisions are guided by our genuine commitment to upholding the rights, interests, needs and voices of children in our care. You will be required to provide a minimum of two professional referees as part of the recruitment process. Young Academics conducts reference checks, will verify that you hold a valid WWCC for paid work, and confirms that you do not have any prohibition or statutory notices against you. Young Academics uses CCTV in our centres and works closely with the regulatory authorities to report any child safety concerns. Visit our website for more information on our Child Safe Practices.