Cook - Goodstart Early Learning

Goodstart Early Learning; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wages above award

Parental leave

Fitness Passport

Paid professional development

Wellbeing days

Flu vaccine

Uniform allowance

Employee referrals

Job summary

Goodstart Early Learning Elizabeth Vale in South Australia is seeking a passionate Centre Cook to create nutritious meals for children within a collaborative team. This role emphasises food safety, meal planning, and engaging children through hands-on cooking experiences.

The position offers a 34-hour contract and a generous budget to support fresh, wholesome meals. You will work as part of Australia’s first Goodstart Integrated Hub, partnering with educators, health professionals, and family

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or experience cooking within a childcare setting.
• Current SA Working with Children Check.
• National Child Safety Foundation Training via Geccko platform.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals with dietary considerations and allergies in mind.
• Plan the menu and order supplies in consultation with the Centre Director.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and hygienic handling.
• Facilitate hands-on cooking experiences with children and family workshops.
• Support healthy eating initiatives and celebrate diverse cultures through food.

Skills

Food safety

Creativity

Team player

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Company description:

Are you seeking a role that offers a great work/life balance? We’re looking for a passionate Centre Cook to join our team! If you love creating nutritious meals and want a rewarding role with a supportive team and family-friendly hours, we’d love to hear from you!

Job description:

• Ensure the safety of children by preparing meals to account for special dietary requirements and allergies
• Use your creativity and organisational skills to plan the menu and order food supplies in consultation with the Centre Director
• Maintain high standards of food safety by ensuring all storage, handling and preparation of food and drinks is hygienic

More Than Just a Cook!

Goodstart Early Learning Elizabeth Vale, South Australia's First Goodstart Integrated Hub

Are you passionate about food, nutrition, and making a genuine difference in the lives of children and families? This is more than a traditional Long Day Care Cook position—it's an opportunity to be part of something truly special.

Goodstart Elizabeth Vale is proud to be the first Goodstart service in South Australia to become an Integrated Hub, bringing together education, health, wellbeing and community partnerships to provide wraparound support for children and families. As our Centre Cook, you'll play an essential role in creating healthy foundations for children while being an active member of our collaborative team.

What makes this role different?

34 hour contract

Enjoy the security of consistent hours and become a valued member of a supportive, collaborative team.

Nutrition supported by experts

Our seasonal menus are developed in collaboration with a qualified nutritionist, ensuring every meal contributes towards meeting up to 75% of each child's daily nutritional requirements.

A generous food budget

We believe nutritious food starts with quality ingredients. Our enhanced food budget allows you to create fresh, wholesome meals without constantly compromising on cost.

Opportunities to inspire through food

This role extends beyond the kitchen. You'll have opportunities to:

• Facilitate hands-on cooking experiences with children.
• Support family cooking workshops and healthy eating initiatives.
• Celebrate diverse cultures through food.
• Encourage positive lifelong relationships with healthy eating.

Be part of something bigger

As a member of South Australia's first Goodstart Integrated Hub, you'll work alongside educators, allied health professionals and family support services who are all committed to improving outcomes for children and families. Every meal you prepare contributes to children's wellbeing, learning and development.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has a passion for preparing fresh, nutritious meals.
• Enjoys building meaningful relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Is creative, organised and takes pride in their work.
• Wants to be part of an innovative service making a genuine impact within the community.

This isn't simply a cooking position, it's an opportunity to be part of a service that is transforming the way early childhood education supports children and families. If you want a role where your passion for food can make a real difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us in nourishing children, supporting families and helping shape healthier futures one meal at a time.

What Goodstart can offer you:

• We pay highly competitive wages, at least 5% above the national award rates
• 50% discount off your childcare gap fees and up to 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price
• Paid professional development
• Two wellbeing days included in your personal leave per year
• Free annual flu shot (optional)
• Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work life balance
• First Nations Support and Cultural Leave
• Retail discounts on insurance, travel and technology
• Uniform allowance and employee referral program

You’ll need:

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or experience cooking within a childcare setting
• Current SA Working with Children Check
• Certificate of Completion for the National Child Safety Foundation Training, completed via Geccko platform

At Goodstart we are deeply committed to Reconciliation and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. For further information and support email [e-mail]

Supporting our people and protecting our children

We’re an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We’re also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.

YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/wm50t5tmoZg
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