Chef

Journey Early Learning Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 44,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

EWRP (Educator Worker Retention)

Birthday leave

Mental Health First Aid

Discounts on retail

Community engagement opportunities

Job summary

Journey Early Learning Knoxfield is seeking a passionate Childcare Chef for a permanent part-time role, 2 days a week from 7:00am to 3:00pm. You’ll plan nutritious meals, lead the Future Foodies program, and create positive, healthy mealtime experiences for children.

Qualifications include a Food Safety Supervisor certificate; Commercial Cookery is preferred. You’ll engage with families and educators while ensuring dietary needs and allergies are managed safely.

Qualifications

• Food safety and nutrition focus in early learning settings.
• Ability to cater for allergies and dietary requirements.
• Current Asthma, Anaphylaxis & First Aid (or willingness to obtain).
• Must have completed National Child Safety Training.
• Commercial Cookery qualifications preferred.
• Experience preparing nutritious meals for children.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare balanced, nutritious meals and snacks.
• Bring our Future Foodies program to life, encouraging healthy eating habits.
• Create engaging, child-friendly mealtime experiences.
• Cater for allergies and specialised dietary needs.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, and compliance.
• Manage food ordering within budget.
• Build positive relationships with children, educators, and families.

Skills

Food Safety Supervisor

Commercial Cookery

Nutrition for children

Allergies & dietary needs

First Aid

National Child Safety Training

Job description

• 496206
• Knoxfield, VIC
• Cook
• Permanent Part time

Childcare Chef | Knoxfield

About The Role

Are you a passionate Chef who loves creating healthy, delicious meals for children? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Childcare Chef to join our Knoxfield team on a permanent part‑time basis. In this role, you’ll do more than just cook, you’ll help shape children’s relationship with food. Through our Future Foodies program, you’ll inspire healthy habits, introduce new flavours, and create positive mealtime experiences that support children’s growth and wellbeing.

This role is a Permanent Part Time, 2 days a week, 7:00am–3:00pm.

About You

You’re creative, organised, and confident in the kitchen, with a genuine passion for nutrition and early learning. You enjoy being part of a centre community and engaging with children about food and healthy choices.

Key Skills And Requirements

• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
• Commercial Cookery qualifications (preferred)
• Experience preparing nutritious meals for children
• Strong understanding of allergies and dietary requirements
• Current Asthma, Anaphylaxis & First Aid (or willingness to obtain)
• Must have completed National Child Safety Training

Your Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare balanced, nutritious meals and snacks
• Bring our Future Foodies program to life, encouraging healthy eating habits
• Create engaging, child‑friendly mealtime experiences
• Cater for allergies and specialised dietary needs
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, and compliance
• Manage food ordering within budget
• Build positive relationships with children, educators, and families

About The Centre

At Journey Early Learning Knoxfield, you’ll join a close-knit, long-standing team where connection, collaboration, and consistency are at the heart of everything we do. Our 86-place, single-level centre has been open for 4 years, offering a calm, connected environment across all rooms, with multi-age yards and our very own Bush Kinder in the backyard - creating daily opportunities for children to explore and learn through nature. With a Centre Manager who has been there since opening and a team who’ve grown together over the years, you’ll feel genuinely supported. Programming is a shared approach, giving every educator a voice in planning and documenting meaningful learning. Plus, with easy street parking and nearby bus stops, getting to and from work is simple - so you can focus on making a difference every day.

Why You’ll Love Journey

• Educator Worker Retention Payments (EWRP)
• Paid birthday leave & anniversary recognition
• Mental Health First Aid & Employee Assistance Program
• Access to retail and lifestyle discounts
• Opportunities to connect with the community

Safeguarding Children

At Journey Early Learning, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our top priority. We follow our Commitment to Safeguarding Children and the See, Act, Tell framework to ensure every child is safe, secure, and protected every day.