Child Care Centre Cook

Penrith City Council; Penrith; On-site; AUD 50,000 - 58,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Fitness Passport

Paid parental leave - 18 weeks

14 days personal leave (pro rata)

Job summary

Penrith City Council is seeking a dedicated Cook for its Children’s Services program in Penrith. You will plan and prepare nutritious meals for children aged 0-5, develop menus, manage food safety and budget resources, and work closely with educators and families to promote healthy eating.

The role is a 12-month temporary part-time position, Monday to Friday, 25 hours per week, starting January 2027. A strong focus on safety, teamwork and child nutrition is essential.

Qualifications

• Completed qualification in Hospitality, Commercial Cookery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Home Economics or equivalent.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor Certificate.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in food preparation, menu planning and budgeting.
• Knowledge of food safety practices, safe food handling and hygiene regulations.
• Understanding of the nutritional needs of children, including allergies and special dietary requirements.
• Strong communication, organisational and teamwork skills.
• Current First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain.
• Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• GECCKO Child Safety Training Modules 1 and 2, with certificates of completion (or willing to obtain).
• Ability to follow safeguarding priorities and uphold organisational values.
• Commitment to Child Safe Standards and the National Quality Framework.

Responsibilities

• Planning and preparing fresh, nutritious and age-appropriate meals and snacks for children aged 0-5 years.
• Developing balanced and varied menus that meet nutritional guidelines and cater for individual dietary needs, allergies and cultural requirements.
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness in accordance with relevant regulations.
• Managing food supplies, ordering, stock control and budgets while minimising waste.
• Working collaboratively with educators and families to support children's nutritional needs and promote healthy eating habits.
• Maintaining accurate food safety records and ensuring kitchen practices comply with relevant policies and procedures.

Skills

Food preparation

Menu planning

Budgeting

Food safety

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Hospitality qualification

Commercial Cookery

Nutrition and Dietetics

Home Economics

Job description

• Location601 HIGH STREET,PENRITH, NSW, 2750,Australia
• Base Pay$36.65 - $42.43 / Hour
• Employee TypeTemporary - Part Time

Description

At Penrith City Council, it’s not about having to choose.

Life with us is the best of both worlds.

Love cooking and making a difference in children's lives? Join our Children's Services team at Cook Parade located in St Clair, where you will play an important role in preparing nutritious and delicious meals that support children's health, wellbeing and development.

We are offering a 12-month temporary part-time opportunity commencing January 2027, working 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 2:00pm.

What we offer you

• Commencing hourly rate: $36.65 - $42.43 + 12% superannuation + applicable Worker Retention Payment (subject to confirmation).
• Career development - access to professional development, skill mapping and opportunities to grow.
• Fitness Passport and complimentary access to Ripples Leisure Centres.
• Community impact - join NSW's largest local government childcare provider, supporting over 4,000 children each year across 53 services.
• Family-friendly working hours - enjoy a consistent Monday to Friday schedule.
• 15 days Personal Leave each year (pro rata).
• 5 days My Leave each year
• 18 weeks Paid Parental Leave (subject to eligibility).
• A supportive team environment where your contribution makes a real difference.

Here’s what you’ll be up to…

• Planning and preparing fresh, nutritious and age-appropriate meals and snacks for children aged 0-5 years.
• Developing balanced and varied menus that meet nutritional guidelines and cater for individual dietary needs, allergies and cultural requirements.
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness in accordance with relevant regulations.
• Managing food supplies, ordering, stock control and budgets while minimising waste.
• Working collaboratively with educators and families to support children's nutritional needs and promote healthy eating habits.
• Maintaining accurate food safety records and ensuring kitchen practices comply with relevant policies and procedures.

Who we are looking for?

We are seeking an enthusiastic and organised Cook who is passionate about healthy eating and understands the important role nutrition plays in children's growth and development.

You will enjoy working as part of a team, take pride in preparing quality meals and be committed to creating positive food experiences for children.

• Completed qualification in Hospitality, Commercial Cookery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Home Economics or equivalent.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor Certificate.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in food preparation, menu planning and budgeting.
• Knowledge of food safety practices, safe food handling and hygiene regulations.
• Understanding of the nutritional needs of children, including allergies and special dietary requirements.
• Strong communication, organisational and teamwork skills.
• Current First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain.
• Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• GECCKO Child Safety Training Modules 1 and 2, with certificates of completion (or willing to obtain).
• Ability to follow safeguarding priorities and uphold organisational values.
• Commitment to Child Safe Standards and the National Quality Framework.

Who we are (And why you’ll love us)

At Penrith City Council, we are passionate about people; in our community and in our workplace. We want you to be able to be your best self and we get that work is just one part of your life, so we are here to support you in the moments that matter. You can be confident in joining a workplace that is committed to supporting flexibility and balance, ensuring safety and providing development opportunities for its employees.

The must-know bits

This position has been identified as a Child-Related position under Child Protection laws in NSW. To be eligible to apply, you are required to provide Council with a valid Working with Children Check Number.

Council is a Child Safe Organisation, for more information about this please see our website.

You will be required to undertake employment checks, which may include a Criminal History Check, Qualification Check, Working with Children Check, Medical Declaration and/or a Functional Test, as relevant to the position for which you have applied. Where a Criminal History Check is required and has returned a result that indicates disclosable court outcomes, you will be required to provide a copy of the report to Penrith City Council, for review, in order to progress through the recruitment process.

Applicants must be either a Citizen or Permanent resident with the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

Ready to make work feel less like work?

Applicants who do not meet the essential criteria will not be considered.

Requirements

• Completed qualification in Hospitality, Commercial Cookery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Home Economics or equivalent.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor Certificate.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in food preparation, menu planning and budgeting.
• Knowledge of food safety practices, safe food handling and hygiene regulations.
• Understanding of the nutritional needs of children, including allergies and special dietary requirements.
• Strong communication, organisational and teamwork skills.
• Current First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain.
• Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• GECCKO Child Safety Training Modules 1 and 2, with certificates of completion (or willing to obtain).
• Ability to follow safeguarding priorities and uphold organisational values.
• Commitment to Child Safe Standards and the National Quality Framework.

Previous experience preparing meals in an early childhood education and care setting will be highly regarded.

Summary

Create nutritious and delicious meals for children and work in a vibrant, supportive environment. Join us and be part of our dedicated childcare team!