Childcare Centre Cook

The Hive Early Learning Centre is looking for an experienced, passionate and creative chef to join our growing team. Your hours and duties will increase as occupancy grows.

An opportunity to work autonomously and choose the hours that work for you is available.

Our focus is on healthy food and nutrition from an early age. A balanced, varied and nutritious diet with plenty of vegetable and fruit is vital for energy, brain function, growth and development.

All our menus are designed in consultation with nutritionists and assessed by Nutrition Australia to prepare balanced and tasty menus children will enjoy eating. Menu reviews are completed bi-annually by the Centre cook to ensure the menu represents the community.

Qualification, experience, and knowledge requirements for role:

· Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (Health & Community HLTFSE001, HLTFSE005, HLTFSE007)

· Current First Aid qualification including Anaphylaxis and Asthma

· Knowledge and understanding of cooking for children with allergies, medical conditions and varying dietary requirements

· Knowledge of halal cooking guidelines

· Understanding of the Long Day Care dietary guidelines

· To be aware of National Quality Standards

· To have highly developed organisational skills

· To have excellent communication skills

· Police Check (dated within the last 6 months)

· Current Working with Children Check (employee)

· To be knowledgeable in centre procedures in regard to food, hygiene, allergies, medical conditions and child safe standards

· To maintain confidentiality of the service and individuals

Position Objectives:

· To plan and provide nutritional balanced meals for all children

· Preparation of meals, including but not limited to, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and late snack

· To ensure food ordering is completed as required, one week in advance

· To check food delivery vehicle cleanliness and temperature quarterly

· To ensure that delivery receipts represent actual items delivered

· To maintain a clean and healthy work environment at all times

· To ensure Food Safety Plan requirements and documentation is maintained and up to date

· To support educators and employees in safe food handling practices and expectations

· To attend and participate in monthly team meetings

Key Responsibilities and Duties Required:

· To assist in the development and planning of nutritionally balanced meals

· To assist in seasonally menu reviews

· To ensure menu is display in an appropriate location within the centre

· To ensure that the menu is followed as displayed or amendment is displayed for family and written in food safety plan documentation

· Check menu for the next day and ensure meat is transferred to the fridge for thawing and supplies necessary to fulfil the menu are on hand

· To ensure allergy and special dietary needs of the children is displayed and up to date

· To ensure meals are available at the required times or that the room leader is notified of delays as early as practical to organise routine/curriculum

· To be responsibility for ordering of meat, fruits & vegetables and all required kitchen food products, cleaning products and any other items required for the successful operation of the kitchen

· To have knowledge of available kitchen produce and dry goods at all

· Ensure "use by" or "best before" dates of products are checked weekly and removed immediately if expired

· To dress in a way which is appropriate to the environment and reduces the spreading of germs including wearing of an apron at all times whilst preparing and cooking food, that hair is tied back at all times whilst in the kitchen, that nails are trimmed neat and free of polish and that closed toe non slip shoes are worn at all times in the kitchen

· To ensure the kitchen pest control methods are regularly recorded and undertaken

· To ensure appropriate laundering of kitchen clothes and apron is adhered to

· To minimise the risk of cross contamination in the kitchen by disinfecting of chopping boards and other effected utensils at least daily

· To ensure bins are emptied regularly, relined daily and disinfecting weekly

· To ensure minimum safety standards by keeping the floor swept and free of grease, water or any food

· To ensure regular hand washing during the day; between preparation of food groups, after engaging in cleaning, upon returning to the kitchen, before preparing of food and where necessary to minimise the spread of germs

· To periodic check eating utensils and food serving containers to protect again injury and contamination

· To complete any other tasks as reasonable directed by Centre Director

· Ensure that all information is kept confidential, unless otherwise advised

· To ensure that all Occupational Health and Safety requirements are met

· To report any workplace hazards to your Centre Director as soon as you see them

· To support the centre to provide a safe workplace

· To represent the company in a positive manner at all times

· To adhere to daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly cleaning schedules

· Fridge temperatures to be checked and recorded twice a day

· To ensure that the Centre Director is made aware of broken, damaged or aging kitchen items

· To have read and understood the educator policy handbook and parent policy handbook

· Mandatory training requirements, based on support guidance or identified needs, must be conducted within 8 weeks

· To attend all training sessions organised by the Operations Support Team to build your personal development, knowledge and skills

· To maintain a positive working relationship with all educators, employees and visitors in the centre

· To regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Food Safety Program and record improvements for future programming

· To document children's allergies, health problems and medical conditions

· To document accidents, injuries, trauma and illness records as required

Experience with halal menu planning and working in a child care centre preferred.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $28.12 per hour

Expected hours: 25 – 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring program
• Professional development assistance

Work Authorisation:

• Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person