Early Childhood Centre Cook

HARMONY EARLY EDUCATION PTY LTD; Canungra; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% off childcare fees

Referral bonuses up to $3,000

Retention payment 15% on top of Award

Harmony Academy learning platform

Wellness support and team events

Job summary

Harmony Canungra is opening a brand-new centre and seeks a Centre Cook to nourish young minds with healthy meals. You will create nutritious, delicious dishes, ensure a safe kitchen, and work closely with educators to support children's growth and wellbeing.

Ideal candidates will have a Food Safety Handling Certificate, complete child safety training, and a commitment to healthy eating and budgeting within a dynamic early education environment.

Qualifications

• Food Safety Handling certification is required.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements and allergy management.
• Budgeting, menu planning, and efficient kitchen resource management.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious, seasonal meals and snacks for children.
• Maintain a safe, hygienic, and well-organised kitchen and manage stock.
• Order ingredients and monitor inventory to support operations.
• Collaborate with educators to cater for dietary needs and preferences.
• Support mealtime routines and assist educators for a positive dining experience.
• Prepare occasional cooking and baking for staff celebrations and events.
• Develop nutrition knowledge across age groups, including infant feeding needs.

Skills

Food Safety

Dietary knowledge

Allergy management

Budgeting

Menu planning

Kitchen resources

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.

Ready to be Part of Something Bigger?