Service Cook/Educator

Future Super Stars ELC; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 62,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Future Super Stars ELC in Melbourne is seeking a passionate early childhood kitchen professional to lead day-to-day operations of our on-site kitchen. You will plan nutritious meals and snacks for young children, while supporting educators in the learning environment.

You will ensure allergy management, food safety and compliance with Victorian standards, and engage with children through cooking experiences and playful learning. This role suits collaborative, child-centered individuals.

Qualifications

• Plan and prepare nutritious meals and snacks for young children.
• Cater for allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements, dietary needs and individual food requirements.
• Follow children's dietary and allergy management plans.
• Maintain strict food safety, hygiene and sanitation practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks appropriate for young children.
• Prepare meals that cater for allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements, dietary needs and individual food requirements.
• Follow children's individual dietary and allergy management plans.
• Maintain strict food safety, hygiene and sanitation practices.
• Follow Food Standards Australia requirements and applicable Victorian food safety requirements.
• Maintain appropriate food temperature controls, including safe storage, cooking, cooling, reheating and serving.
• Prevent cross contamination, particularly for children with allergies.
• Monitor food stock, order ingredients and maintain appropriate kitchen supplies.
• Build warm, respectful and responsive relationships with children.
• Participate in children's learning and play experiences.

Skills

Meal planning

Allergen management

Food safety

Kitchen operations

Child engagement

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

Working with Children Check

Job description

We are a beautiful 80 place early learning service, thoughtfully designed to provide children and educators with spacious, inspiring and welcoming environments.

Our service features:

A state-of-the-art commercial kitchen
Spacious, open learning environments
Beautiful natural lighting throughout the service
A dedicated Piazza space for cooking experiences and cooking classes with children
A dedicated art studio
A dedicated mindfulness and wellbeing room
Purposeful indoor and outdoor learning environments
Spaces designed to encourage connection, creativity, independence and children’s voice

This is a unique role for someone who is equally comfortable creating nutritious meals in the kitchen and engaging, supporting and educating children within the learning environment. You will take responsibility for the day to day operation of the early childhood kitchen while also being willing and confident to work alongside children and educators in the learning environment when required.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks appropriate for young children
• Prepare meals that cater for allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements, dietary needs and individual food requirements
• Follow children's individual dietary and allergy management plans
• Maintain strict food safety, hygiene and sanitation practices
• Follow Food Standards Australia requirements and applicable Victorian food safety requirements
• Maintain appropriate food temperature controls, including safe storage, cooking, cooling, reheating and serving
• Prevent cross contamination, particularly for children with allergies
• Monitor food stock, order ingredients and maintain appropriate kitchen supplies
• Build warm, respectful and responsive relationships with children
• Participate in children's learning and play experiences

About you

• Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Current Working with Children Check
• Current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma qualifications as required for the role
• Understanding of food safety requirements applicable to an early childhood education and care setting
• Demonstrated ability to safely prepare food for young children
• Ability to manage allergy and dietary requirements safely
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Commitment to child safety and inclusive practice
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required food safety supervisor/food safety training applicable to the service