Early Childhood Centre Cook

Harmony Early Education; Canungra; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% off childcare fees

Referral bonuses up to $3,000

15% retention payment on top of Award

Harmony Academy learning platform

Wellness support

Team events & culture

Job summary

Harmony Early Education Canungra is seeking a passionate Centre Cook to create nutritious, kid-friendly meals in a brand-new centre. You will plan, prepare and serve meals that support growth, wellbeing and learning, while maintaining a clean, safe kitchen.

With a Food Safety Handling Certificate and knowledge of dietary requirements, you will collaborate with educators to accommodate allergies and preferences, manage ingredients and budgets, and contribute to a positive mealtime experience for

Qualifications

• Current Food Safety Handling Certificate.
• Completion of all required National Child Safety Training via Geccko, with current certificates of completion
• Strong knowledge of dietary requirements, allergy management, and safe food practices.
• Practical understanding of food budgeting, menu planning, and managing kitchen resources efficiently.
• Previous cooking experience in an early childhood setting is desirable, but not essential.
• Genuine commitment to supporting children’s growth, development, and wellbeing through nutritious and enjoyable meals.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious, seasonal meals and snacks that support children’s growth, development, and wellbeing.
• Maintain a safe, hygienic, and well-organised kitchen environment while ensuring supplies are well stocked.
• Order ingredients, manage inventory, and monitor stock levels to support efficient kitchen operations.
• Collaborate with educators to understand and accommodate children’s dietary requirements, allergies, and preferences.
• Support the centre’s mealtime routines and assist educators where needed to create a positive dining experience for children.
• Prepare occasional cooking and baking for staff celebrations, family events, and centre activities.
• Be open to expanding knowledge of nutrition across different age groups, with a focus on infant nutrition and feeding needs.
• Work Monday to Friday, 6:30am–2:30pm, with flexibility to discuss alternative hours for the right candidate.

Skills

Food Safety

Dietary Requirements

Menu Planning

Inventory Management

Budgeting

Team Collaboration

Early Childhood Cooking

Education

Food Safety Handling Certificate

National Child Safety Training Geccko

Job description

Early Childhood Centre Cook – Harmony Early Education Canungra

More Than a Kitchen Job – Nourish Young Minds. Create with Purpose. Make a Difference Every Day.

Be Part of Something Special – Our Brand-New Centre Is Opening Soon!

Join the team everyone is talking about and be part of an exciting new beginning at Harmony Early Education Canungra. We’re looking for a passionate Centre Cook to help establish a welcoming, nurturing food environment and create nutritious, delicious meals that support children’s growth, learning and wellbeing from day one.

As our Centre Cook, you’ll bring creativity, care and passion to the kitchen, helping create positive experiences for children through the power of food. You’ll have the opportunity to make your mark in a brand-new centre, contributing to a food program that encourages healthy habits, curiosity and a lifelong appreciation of nutritious food.

Why Harmony?

At Harmony Early Education Canungra, we see every child as a confident, capable learner and a valued member of our community. Our centre is a calm, welcoming environment where curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections thrive. Every space is thoughtfully designed to inspire learning, including our kitchen.

Our food program is far more than preparing meals. It plays an essential role in supporting children's health, wellbeing, and development while fostering positive relationships with food from an early age. We believe that what children eat matters and so does the care, quality, and passion that goes into every meal.

Why Harmony is where you will thrive:

We don’t just offer jobs…We offerBelonging. Growth. Support. Respect.

Enjoy benefits that genuinely make a difference:

• 75% off childcare fees – because your family matters too
• Up to $3,000 referral bonuses
• 15% retention payment on top of Award
• A dedicated learning platform – Harmony Academy
• Wellness support, fun events & a team culture people stay for

Your Role

As Centre Cook, you’ll play a key role in creating a nurturing, healthy environment through food. You will:

• Plan and prepare nutritious, seasonal meals and snacks that support children’s growth, development, and wellbeing.
• Maintain a safe, hygienic, and well-organised kitchen environment while ensuring supplies are well stocked.
• Order ingredients, manage inventory, and monitor stock levels to support efficient kitchen operations.
• Collaborate with educators to understand and accommodate children’s dietary requirements, allergies, and preferences.
• Support the centre’s mealtime routines and assist educators where needed to create a positive dining experience for children.
• Prepare occasional cooking and baking for staff celebrations, family events, and centre activities.
• Be open to expanding knowledge of nutrition across different age groups, with a focus on infant nutrition and feeding needs.
• Work Monday to Friday, 6:30am–2:30pm, with flexibility to discuss alternative hours for the right candidate.

About You

You are passionate about creating food with purpose and care.You have:

• A current Food Safety Handling Certificate.
• Completion of all required National Child Safety Training via Geccko, with current certificates of completion
• Strong knowledge of dietary requirements, allergy management, and safe food practices.
• Practical understanding of food budgeting, menu planning, and managing kitchen resources efficiently.
• Previous cooking experience in an early childhood setting is desirable, but not essential.
• A genuine commitment to supporting children’s growth, development, and wellbeing through nutritious and enjoyable meals.

Why Canungra?
Harmony Canungra is a 104-place centre and caters for children from birth to 5 years. Canungra is a welcoming community known for its natural surrounds, relaxed lifestyle, and strong sense of connection, providing a beautiful setting for children to learn, explore, and grow.

Located at 7 Finch Road, Canungra, with operational hours of 6.30am to 6.30pm.

Our Commitment to Child & Cultural Safety.

At Harmony you will be part of a team deeply committed to child and cultural safety.
We take this seriously every child should feel safe, seen, heard and respected and we empower our educators to uphold these values every single day.

Protecting Every Child. Honouring Every Culture. Every Day.

We work proactively to keep children safe through strong policies, ongoing training and open conversations. We walk alongside families and communities to create environments where every child’s identity is celebrated and every voice is valued.