Childcare Chef

Why Join Birches?

Birches is a family-owned and operated group of centres across Melbourne. We believe children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and inspired. The same goes for our team. Joining Birches means being part of a workplace that values openness, genuine connections, and professional growth.

At Birches, you'll find:

Ongoing professional development and mentoring to help you grow in your career.

Strong communication and transparency with families, including being honest about the tough days.

Team celebrations and events that recognise milestones and achievements.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for health and wellbeing support.

Childcare discounts for your own children.

The Role

We're looking for a dedicated and passionate Childcare Chef to join our team. You will:

Plan and prepare fresh, nutritious, and balanced meals and snacks for children each day.

Cater to a variety of dietary needs, allergies, and cultural food preferences.

Keep the kitchen safe, clean, and compliant with food safety standards.

Work closely with educators to ensure meals support children's health, wellbeing, and learning.

Create a positive food culture where children enjoy mealtimes and learn about healthy eating.

What We're Looking For

A Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (or willingness to obtain).

Experience in preparing meals for large groups, ideally in a childcare, school, or hospitality setting.

Understanding of nutrition for young children.

Knowledge of safe food handling and hygiene practices.

A positive, proactive attitude with genuine care for children's wellbeing.

Availability to work Monday to Friday between 6:30am and 6:30pm.

About Birches

Birches Early Learning is not corporate owned. We are proudly family run. Each of our centres is designed as a true home away from home, with natural outdoor play spaces, vegetable gardens, and environments where children feel a deep sense of belonging. We embrace diversity, inclusivity and respect for all cultures and traditions, weaving these into our programs and celebrations.

Our Commitment

At Birches Early Learning, we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment that protects the rights of every child. We promote safety, wellbeing, participation and empowerment for all children, including those with disabilities and from culturally diverse backgrounds. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and a duty of care to prevent and minimise risks in both physical and online environments.

We value diversity in our workplace and are an equal opportunity employer. We believe that different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences strengthen our team and allow us to grow. Every team member is valued, respected, and supported to progress in their career.

We are also committed to Reconciliation and to creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and employees feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Apply Now

If you're ready to build your career in a supportive, values-driven environment where every day makes a difference, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of the Birches community.