Chef/ Cook

Busy Bees at Oxley

Busy Bees at Oxley is a beautiful 108-place service, situated South-West of Canberra City, on a quiet street next door to a beautiful nature reserve. Our Oxley childcare offers a lovely and peaceful atmosphere where we focus on teaching sustainability and respect for the environment.

Our Service is on the lookout for a passionate Chef /Cook with the ability to cater for children with all dietary requirements to join their service. This is an amazing opportunity to join a leading childcare service and showcase your skills and passion while working for a leading global childcare brand.

Key Benefits we offer for joining our Hive:

• Fantastic, Above-Award hourly rates and work-life balance
• Get a Laundry allowance and annual Uniform allocation in addition to your salary
• Generous Childcare Gap Fee discounts for Busy Bees permanent service staff
• An opportunity to gain further knowledge while working for a leading global brand in the Early Childhood industry and grow professionally
• A chance to showcase and build your leadership skills
• Work with a supportive & inclusive team and Management in a leading Childcare Service
• Continue improving your knowledge and skills with our Busy Bees training platform
• Access to the Busy Bees' Employee Assistance Program
• An opportunity to participate in our Global Talent Exchange Program
• A chance to connect with and build a support network with leaders in the Early Childhood Industry across the nation

Essential Qualifications

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent culinary qualifications or experience.
• A current and valid Working With Children Check or ability to obtain one.

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Ability to create balanced, nutritious meals suitable for young children, considering their developmental needs.
• Experience in designing rotating menus that adhere to dietary guidelines and cater to the diverse needs of children.
• Capability to prepare meals for children with allergies, intolerances, or specific dietary needs (e.g., gluten-free, dairy-free, halal).
• Strict adherence to food safety and hygiene protocols.
• Ability to work within budgetary constraints when ordering food and supplies.
• Punctuality and efficiency in preparing meals according to the schedule of the early childhood service.

Desirable Skills and Knowledge

• Previous experience in a Chef, Cook, or similar role particularly in an early childhood setting.
• Understanding specific nutritional requirements and common allergies/intolerances in young children.
• Ability to prepare dishes that reflect various cultures and traditions, making food an educational experience.
• Knowledge of sustainable food practices, like reducing waste or using locally sourced ingredients.

If you aren't an exact match still apply

Exceed your culinary career by joining this amazing childcare organisation

Please submit your resume via the "Apply Now" button which will direct you to our internal application site. Please create an account to commence your application.

You can also send your Resume/CV and Cover Letter directly to and if you have any further questions, contact us on

Have a Bee-autiful day

Why Work for Busy Bees?
If you're passionate about early learning, Busy Bees is the place to be. Although we are part of a global organisation, our company was founded by three families looking for better, more enriching childcare. Three decades later, we still keep the same values at heart.

We know that we couldn't do what we do without the important people in our teams. We invest in our people and work with them to build career pathways that inspire.