As an Early Years Chef, you will be responsible for preparing and delivering nutritious and delicious meals for children in our care. Your expertise in early childhood nutrition and understanding of dietary guidelines will ensure that every meal supports the health and development of the children.
Planning and preparing meals, cleaning, and cooking are significant parts of our chefs' roles, but they are more than just cooks in a kitchen. Our chefs are incredibly talented and creative individuals who collaborate with each other, their teams, and the local community to enrich children’s experiences, health, and lives.
Perks and Benefits:
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Birthday Leave — a paid day off to celebrate you (permanent team members).
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Childcare Gap Fee Discounts — exclusive for permanent team members.
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Flare Benefits – Unlock everyday savings, exclusive perks and benefits for real life
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Referral Bonus Scheme — earn bonuses for helping grow our amazing team.
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Uniform Allowance — full set on commencement plus annual top-ups.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and extensive wellbeing resources— through our trusted provider Sonder.
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Excellence Awards — peer recognition for exceptional contributions.
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Onsite Flu Vaccinations.
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Professional Development & Training — ongoing growth opportunities across the Edge network.
Key Responsibilities:
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Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks for children aged 6 weeks to school age.
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Work with the Australian Government’s Feed Australia platform to design seasonal menus tailored to children's nutritional needs.
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Adhere to dietary requirements and preferences, including allergies and cultural considerations.
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Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic kitchen environment in compliance with regulatory and company guidelines.
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Collaborate with early childhood educators to ensure meal times are a positive and educational experience.
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Teach children to help themselves, experience different flavours, and understand the importance of nutrition.
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Introduce children to scientific concepts, promote life skills, encourage bonding, and enhance fine motor skills through food-related activities.
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Manage kitchen inventory, order supplies, and ensure cost-effective food production.
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Keep up-to-date with early childhood nutrition trends and regulations.
Qualifications and Requirements:
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Minimum of Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
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Current Working with Children Check.
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National Child Safety Training (GECCKO), mandatory
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Training to respond to child abuse and neglect (ACT), mandatory
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RRHAN Fundamentals & Masterclass (SA), mandatory
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Current Food Safety Supervision Skill Set Certificate (HLTSS0061 is for childcare kitchens).
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Proven understanding of early childhood nutrition and dietary guidelines.
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Knowledge of health, hygiene, and safety standards in a kitchen environment.
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Excellent organizational and time management skills.
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Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
Child Safety at Edge Early Learning
At Edge Early Learning, children’s safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating safe, nurturing environments where every child feels valued, heard, and protected. Our team upholds the highest standards of care and is dedicated to safeguarding children through vigilant practices, ongoing training, and strong, supportive relationships. All Edge employees undergo relevant safety checks and are expected to champion our culture of child safety every day.
