Harbour Early Learning is a privately owned, purpose-built early learning centre located on College Street in Gladesville. Our beautifully refurbished 105-place centre is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Chef/Cook to join our team on a temporary full-time basis to cover maternity leave from 1st January 2026. There will also be casual relief shifts available in the months leading up to this date, providing an excellent opportunity to become familiar with our kitchen, team, and routines. You will be working closely with our current chef prior to their leave to ensure a smooth handover and thorough induction into our kitchen operations.

You’ll be working in a pristine, modern kitchen and will play a vital role in nourishing our children with healthy, delicious meals each day.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum requirement: Certificate III in Food Handling, or equivalent qualification.

Food Safety Supervisor certification, or willingness to obtain.

Current First Aid, CPR and Anaphylaxis and Asthma Management Training, or willingness to obtain.

Clear Working with Children Check.

Clear National Police Check.

Previous experience working in a professional kitchen environment.

Sound computer literacy skills related to menu planning and ordering.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Understanding how to set up and operate kitchen facilities in an early learning setting.

Ability to follow, prepare and assist in the creation of our nutritional menus alongside selected nutritionists, such as Bable (baby food bible), including breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and late snack.

Ensure that meals and snacks are well presented and appropriate for each age group.

Ability to be creative and adapt or develop an alternative nourishing menu to meet the particular needs of our centre, catering for food allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements.

Ability to understand and maintain high food safety standards and procedures, including personal and workplace hygiene.

Ability to communicate and work collaboratively as a member of a team.

Ability to communicate and implement cooking experiences with children.

Ability to forecast and manage an adequate catering budget.

Ability to stock control and prepare, and order from shopping lists.

Be well familiar with children’s allergies and dietary requirements, including food preferences and cultural considerations, and be mindful of those requirements when storing, organising, preparing and serving food.

Good time management skills are essential to ensure that mealtimes run smoothly and that the kitchen and our catering budget are managed efficiently.

Follow the centre’s philosophy, policies and procedures.

Some good reasons for working with us at Harbour EL Vaucluse

Above award wage (Children’s Services Awards 2010).

Professional learning opportunities.

Join a vibrant and professional team who are looking for like-minded collaborators who are setting the new benchmark for early learning.

Comprehensive orientation program.

If you would like to know more about us, visit https://www.harbourearlylearning.com.au/

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Kath Boyd on [email protected]

The position may be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found, so we encourage early applications. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.