Kitchen Hand | Charlestown

The Grove Academy; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Refer-a-Friend bonus

50% off childcare fees

Annual wellbeing day

Wherefit discounts

Career growth opportunities

Grove Recognition Awards

Job summary

The Grove Academy Charlestown is seeking a Kitchen Hand to support our campus in preparing nutritious meals for children and maintaining a clean, well-organised kitchen. You’ll work closely with staff to ensure food safety, hygiene, and smooth daily operations.

Ideal candidates are reliable, organised, and enjoy teamwork. Prior kitchen experience is helpful but not essential; a positive attitude and commitment to child safety and professional boundaries are valued. WWCC clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in kitchen work or food preparation preferred.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Commitment to high hygiene standards and safety.
• Ability to work well in a team and support children’s wellbeing.
• Willingness to obtain/maintain WWCC and complete safety training.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and order in the kitchen.
• Wash and organise dishes and kitchen equipment.
• Assist with inventory management and restocking.
• Ensure food safety and hygiene standards are met.
• Prioritise safety, health and wellbeing of children at all times.
• Supervise children and monitor environmental risks.
• Report concerns per service policies.

Skills

Organisational skills

Time management

Teamwork

Hygiene standards

Child safety awareness

Positive attitude

Risk awareness

Job description

Join Our Team as a Kitchen Hand at The Grove Academy Charlestown

About The Grove Academy

At The Grove Academy, we’re all about creating inspiring, nurturing environments for children and educators. With campuses across New South Wales, we’re known for our innovative approach to early childhood education and a culture that genuinely supports our people. People love working with us because of our strong values, collaborative team environment, and commitment to making every day meaningful.

The safety and wellbeing of children is our highest priority and the paramount consideration in all decision-making. We are committed to creating child-safe environments where children feel secure, respected, and supported. All team members are expected to uphold our child-safe practices and contribute to a culture of care, accountability, and protection. We are committed to being a Child Safe Organisation, embedding child-safe practices across everything we do and maintaining zero tolerance for child abuse or harm.

Life at The Grove (Our Values & Perks)

At The Grove Academy, our values shape everything we do — and we’re looking for people who naturally bring these to life:

• Be Passionate – bring heart, energy, and pride to everything you do
• Have Fun – create joyful, laughter-filled days for children and your team
• Value Teamwork – support, share, and celebrate each other’s wins
• Learn & Grow – stay curious and open to learning something new every day
• Be Proud – take pride in your work, your impact, and your growth
• Better Together – because the magic really happens when we work as one

$1,000 Refer-a-Friend Bonus (exclusions apply)

50% off childcare fees for your little ones

Annual Employee Wellbeing Day for some much-needed self-care

Access to exclusive discounts on over 3,300+ health, fitness and wellbeing brands with Wherefit

Career growth opportunities as we continue to expand

A supportive, fun culture with regular celebrations, fundraising events, and Grove Recognition Awards.

The opportunity to work alongside our in-house allied health professionals, who collaborate closely with our teams to support children’s development and help educators feel confident and empowered in their practice

About the Role

As a Kitchen Hand, you’ll work closely with our campus to ensure our little ones enjoy nutritious and delicious meals every day. You’ll help keep the kitchen running smoothly and maintain high standards of cleanliness and organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in the kitchen
• Washing and organising dishes and kitchen equipment
• Supporting inventory management and restocking supplies
• Ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are met
• Ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of all children is prioritised at all times
• Actively supervising children and maintaining awareness of risks in the environment
• Reporting any concerns or incidents in line with service policies and procedures

Skills & Experience

We’re looking for someone who is organised, reliable, and eager to contribute. To excel in this role, you’ll need:

• Experience in kitchen work or food preparation (preferred but not essential)
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• A positive, team-oriented attitude
• A commitment to maintaining high hygiene standards
• A passion for making mealtimes enjoyable for children
• Strong understanding of child protection responsibilities and mandatory reporting
• Ability to identify and respond to risks to children’s safety
• Commitment to maintaining professional boundaries at all times

Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) and complete mandatory child safety training.

Join us in making a difference in children’s lives while having fun, celebrating milestones, and building a career you’ll love!