Childcare Centre Co-Chef

About us

Headland Montessori Grange Rd is a dedicated early childhood education and care centre located in Caulfield East, Victoria. We are committed to providing a nurturing, stimulating environment where children can learn, grow and develop in line with Montessori principles. Our centre values quality care, educational excellence, and fostering a strong sense of community. We believe in supporting families and creating a safe, inclusive space where every child can thrive.

About the role

We're offering a 4 hours per day position to start, working alongside our existing kitchen team to prepare daily meals for our children. This role has genuine scope to grow — with the intention of increasing hours progressively over the coming months, moving toward a full-time position by the end of the calendar year, in line with the centre's enrolment growth. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term role with increasing hours and responsibility. This role plays a vital part in supporting the nutrition and wellbeing of the children in our care. As Co-Chef, you will work collaboratively with our culinary team to plan, prepare and deliver nutritious, balanced meals and snacks that meet the dietary needs and preferences of all children at the centre. Your role is essential in ensuring that mealtimes are safe, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate experiences that support children's health, learning and growth.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and cook nutritious, balanced meals and snacks for children, adhering to dietary requirements, allergies and cultural preferences

• Plan and develop age-appropriate menus that meet nutritional guidelines and dietary standards for early childhood services

• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and sanitation in the kitchen and food preparation areas

• Store, handle and rotate food safely to prevent contamination and waste

• Collaborate with the Head Chef to develop meal plans and discuss feedback from educators and families

• Manage food inventory, stock rotation and communicate food ordering requirements

• Prepare special meals and accommodate children with specific dietary needs, intolerances or allergies

• Maintain accurate records of meals served and dietary information as required

• Ensure the kitchen remains organised, clean and well-maintained at all times

• Support the centre's commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible food practices where possible

What we're looking for

• Current Food Safety Supervisor certification or equivalent qualification relevant to food handling in childcare settings

• Proven experience working as a chef or cook, preferably in an early childhood, school or institutional food service environment

• Strong knowledge of nutrition, dietary requirements and age-appropriate food preparation for young children

• Understanding of food allergies, intolerances and the ability to cater for diverse dietary needs

• Excellent food safety and hygiene practices, including knowledge of relevant legislation and standards

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a kitchen team

• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple meal preparation tasks

• Attention to detail and commitment to quality in food presentation and taste

• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced childcare environment

• A genuine passion for supporting children's health and wellbeing through nutrition

• Preferred: Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearance or willingness to obtain one

What we offer

Headland Montessori Grange Rd is committed to supporting the wellbeing and professional development of our staff. We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment where your contributions are valued and recognised. As a part-time team member, you will have the flexibility to balance your work commitments with other priorities. We provide a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, encourages teamwork, and supports continuous learning. We welcome conversations about how we can make this role work for you, including any adjustments or support you may need.

How to apply

If you are an experienced cook with a passion for children's nutrition and would like to join our team, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, and references to Headland Montessori Grange Rd. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or alternate formats of information at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.