Kitchen Hand

Only About Children; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above award pay

Predictable weekday hours

Nutrition menus & food safety systems

Up to 50% childcare discount

Parental leave & salary sacrifice

Professional development

OAC Rewards

Wellbeing support

Care for children daily

Job summary

Only About Children Bridgeman Downs is seeking a dedicated Kitchenhand to support the preparation and delivery of fresh, nutritious meals for children aged 0 to 5. You will assist the Cook, help with food service, manage kitchen routines and maintain a clean, safe food environment.

The role emphasizes attention to dietary requirements, allergies and safety, with weekday hours in a supportive early learning environment.

Qualifications

• Approved Food Safety Supervisor Certificate for Cook roles, or willingness to obtain where required.
• Experience with bulk meal preparation, ideally catering for 50 or more people daily.
• Knowledge of nutritional requirements for children aged 0 to 5.
• Understanding of food safety, hygiene, allergies and dietary requirements.
• Strong organisation, time management and attention to detail.
• A warm, flexible and team-focused approach.
• Current Working with Children Check and relevant child protection clearance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare or assist with fresh, nutritious meals and snacks using OAC's nutrition menu.
• Adapt meals for allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements and individual child needs.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised kitchen in line with the Campus Food Safety Plan.
• Clearly manage and label allergy and intolerance variations to support safe food service.
• Order, receive, store and rotate food safely, supporting smooth daily kitchen operations.
• Work with educators and families to support children's food routines, preferences and wellbeing.
• Help create positive, calm and inclusive mealtime experiences for children.

Skills

Food Safety

Bulk Cooking

Nutrition for Children

Allergies & Diets

Organisation & Detail

Education

Food Safety Supervisor Certificate

Job description

Kitchen Hand

About this role

Kitchenhand

We're looking for a caring, organised and reliable Kitchenhand to join our team at Only About Children Bridgeman Downs.

This is a role where your work becomes part of the daily rhythm of the campus, helping children feel nourished, cared for and supported through positive food experiences.

About our Bridgeman Downs campus

There's a beautifully natural, spacious feel to working at Bridgeman Downs. Set on a 10,000 square metre site on Ridley Road, Little Village Bridgeman Downs offers a distinctive early learning environment surrounded by a protected nature reserve. With large grounds, off-street parking and sustainability built into the design, it feels like a campus where nature and learning are genuinely connected.

Children learn in light-filled studio rooms before moving into expansive outdoor spaces with cubby houses, mud kitchens, sand and water play, bike paths and Bush Kindy. Families often speak about excellent facilities, strong educator relationships and the way children thrive in such a rich outdoor environment. It's a campus where your care and creativity can help children feel grounded, curious and connected.

You're The Difference at OAC

At Only About Children, everything starts with one simple truth: You're The Difference.

In the kitchen, your care is felt across the whole campus. The meals you prepare, the attention you give to allergies and dietary needs, and the way you help children build positive food experiences all shape their day.

With us, your work helps children feel nourished, safe and ready to learn.

About the role

As Kitchenhand, you'll support the preparation and delivery of fresh, nutritious meals and snacks for children aged 0 to 5, with health, safety and children's wellbeing front of mind.

Depending on campus needs, you may be preparing meals, assisting the Cook, supporting food service, managing kitchen routines, or helping maintain a clean and safe food environment. You'll support children's dietary, cultural, developmental and allergy requirements with care and accuracy.

What you'll do

• Prepare or assist with fresh, nutritious meals and snacks using OAC's nutrition menu.
• Adapt meals for allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements and individual child needs.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised kitchen in line with the Campus Food Safety Plan.
• Clearly manage and label allergy and intolerance variations to support safe food service.
• Order, receive, store and rotate food safely, supporting smooth daily kitchen operations.
• Work with educators and families to support children's food routines, preferences and wellbeing.
• Help create positive, calm and inclusive mealtime experiences for children.

What you'll bring

• Approved Food Safety Supervisor Certificate for Cook roles, or willingness to obtain where required.
• Experience with bulk meal preparation, ideally catering for 50 or more people daily.
• Knowledge of nutritional requirements for children aged 0 to 5.
• Understanding of food safety, hygiene, allergies and dietary requirements.
• Strong organisation, time management and attention to detail.
• A warm, flexible and team-focused approach.
• Current Working with Children Check and relevant child protection clearance.

What we offer

• Above award pay and recognition, including recognition programs, loyalty milestones and our Refer a Friend Program.
• Predictable weekday hours in a supportive early learning environment.
• OAC nutrition menus and food safety systems to guide your work and support safe, consistent food service.
• Up to 50% childcare discount for eligible team members, plus paid parental leave and salary sacrifice options.
• Professional development, including training, compliance updates and opportunities to connect with the OAC cook network.
• Everyday savings through OAC Rewards, with discounts across groceries, retail and more.
• Wellbeing support, including two Wellbeing Days, additional leave purchase options and 24/7 TELUS Health EAP access.
• A role where your care is felt by children, families and educators every day.

Child safety and inclusion

At Only About Children, child safety is at the centre of everything we do. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and harm, and we are committed to creating safe, nurturing and inclusive environments where every child has a voice, feels safe, and is valued and respected.

Everyone who joins our team shares responsibility for upholding child safe practices, meeting regulatory requirements and supporting children's wellbeing. Successful candidates will be required to complete all relevant working with children, background and compliance checks.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who share our commitment to child safety, inclusion and high-quality early learning.