We're Hiring!

Chef | Dakabin

🌟 About the Role

Journey Early Learning is seeking an enthusiastic, passionate, and experienced Childcare Chef to join out centre. This is a permanent part‑time position across Monday to Friday with the preferred hours of 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM.

As our Childcare Chef, you’ll plan and prepare nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for all children while creating a warm, inclusive kitchen environment. You’ll work closely with educators, families, and leadership to ensure each child’s dietary needs are met and mealtimes are safe, enjoyable, and nourishing.

🌿 About Our Centre

Our service is special because we see our educators as family, we work to ensure that they are all excited to come to work each day and are appreciated. We have special events and moments to celebrate achievements and go above and beyond to support our team. We are actively engaged in the community with excursions and incursions – lots of fun and laughter!

At our Dakabin centre, we pride ourselves on creating a truly special environment where our educators are more than just staff – they’re family. We foster a supportive and positive workplace where everyone feels valued, appreciated, and excited to come to work each day.

We love celebrating achievements, big and small, through special events and meaningful moments that bring our team together. Our strong community connections shine through in our regular excursions and engaging incursions, bringing lots of fun, laughter, and learning for everyone involved.

As a 105-place childcare centre, we’re big enough to offer amazing opportunities, yet small enough to maintain a close-knit, caring culture.

💛 About You

You are creative, confident in the kitchen, and passionate about nutrition and sustainability. You enjoy being part of the broader centre community and building positive relationships with educators, children, and families.

Key skills and requirements:

• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
• Commercial Cookery qualifications (preferred)
• Experience preparing nutritious meals for children across age groups
• Current Asthma, Anaphylaxis & First Aid certificates
• Strong understanding of allergies, dietary needs, and safe food handling

🍎 Your Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks for all children
• Bring Journey’s values of connection, communication, and consideration to life
• Follow Journey’s Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct
• Purchase food provisions in line with menu and budget
• Present meals in a child‑friendly, appealing way
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, safety, and food compliance
• Monitor and record food storage and temperature requirements
• Prepare meals meeting allergies and special dietary needs
• Engage with families regarding nutrition and dietary queries
• Support and mentor any additional kitchen staff

🎁 Why You’ll Love Journey

• 80% childcare discounts*
• Educator Worker Retention Payments (paid weekly)
• Paid birthday leave & anniversary recognition
• Mental Health First Aid & Employee Assistance Program
• Access to retail and lifestyle discounts
• Opportunities to engage with the local community
Terms and conditions apply.

🛡️ Safeguarding Children

At Journey Early Learning, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our top priority. We follow our Commitment to Safeguarding Children and the See, Act, Tell framework to ensure every child is safe, secure, and protected every day.

If you believe you have the skills and passion to support our Echuca team during this maternity leave period, apply now and join us at Journey Early Learning…where it all begins.