Cook Qualified

The Service

Kooinda Workbase Child Care Centre is a welcoming, purpose-built 56-place long day care service located within the leafy bushland surrounds of the University of Newcastle campus. Meaning "a happy place" in the local Awabakal language, Kooinda lives up to its name with a strong sense of community, connection to nature, and a team of passionate educators—many of whom have been with KU for over 5 to 20 years.

Children enjoy a large, open yard with cubby houses, climbing frames, and mud kitchens, where siblings and friends of all ages can play and learn together. The service embraces sustainability, using natural, upcycled materials and regularly taking children on bushwalks and outdoor adventures nearby.

Staff benefit from a peaceful, light-filled break room overlooking the bush and are encouraged to bring their own interests—like music, storytelling, or cooking—into their work.

Easily accessible by public transport or car, with convenient parking options, Kooinda offers a unique opportunity to be part of a supportive, creative, and inspiring early childhood environment where both children and educators truly thrive.

The Role

We have an exciting permanent part-time opportunity for a talented and caring cook to join our team You'll work Monday to Friday, 5 hours per day, giving you a perfect balance between work and personal life.

Duties include:

• Managing the kitchen
• Ordering of stock (from preferred suppliers of fruit, vegetables and groceries)
• Planning and preparing all nutritious menus from scratch
• Assisting in small group experiences with the children and introducing them to the wonderful world of cooking
• Ensuring health and safety are always maintained at a very high standard

To be considered for this role, it is essential you:

• Have work rights that enable you to work in Australia
• Hold a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent) OR hold food safety and food handling qualifications
• Hold or be willing to obtain Employee Working with Children Check
• A passion for cooking healthy and nutritious meals

Experience the KU Difference

KU offers more benefits than any other employer in the sector, including:

• Generous annual pay increases,
• 5 additional personal leave days for service-based staff,
• Up to 14 weeks of KU paid parental leave,
• Study assistance and support with ECT accreditation,
• 94% of staff say we live our values,
• KU Plus an extensive Employee benefits program with access to discounts/cashback from 400+ retailers,
• KU focuses on wholistic staff wellness through its Health & Wellbeing portal,
• Access to extensive free professional learning,
• An inclusive culture with a shared vision,
• Well-resourced and environmentally responsible workplaces,
• Coaching and mentoring from experienced colleagues.

What happens next?

Click'apply now' to be taken to the application form with a Cover Letter and CV

For more information or to confidentially discuss this opportunity, please contact Trish via please note applications are not accepted via email)

KU Children's Services is committed to being a child safe organisation. We put children's safety and wellbeing at the centre of our practices. Child safety is a shared responsibility across the organisation. All KU staff contribute to maintaining our child safe culture and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children in our services and programs. KU has a zero tolerance of harm or abuse of children.