We are currently seeking an enthusiastic Chef or Cook to join our purpose-built Early Childhood service in Surfers Paradise, QLD!
- Are you looking for a long-term opportunity with family and school-friendly hours?
- Are you passionate about creating wholesome, nourishing meals that support children’s health, wellbeing, and sense of community?
- Are you ready to join a supportive, values-led team committed to quality care, connection, and excellence?
If this sounds like you – or you’re curious to learn more about this unique opportunity – we’d love to hear from you!
About the Role
In this role, you’ll be required to plan, prepare, and serve fresh, delicious, and nutritious meals to
the children who attend our service daily. Menu development and encouraging child participation in the cooking process are key aspects along with helping us empower families with knowledge of optimal meal and food requirements. You’ll also help foster an engaging and positive mealtime environment that supports learning, curiosity and well-being.
Our Ideal Candidate Will Meet the Following Selection Criteria:
- Passion for preparing and cooking well-balanced meals, with experience implementing cooking experiences for children
- Clear and effective communicator
- Inclusive of others, with a positive and collaborative attitude
- Motivated to build respectful and meaningful connections with colleagues, families, children, and the wider community while maintaining professional boundaries
- Dedicated, enthusiastic, and reliable, with a commitment to excellence for children and a willingness to grow with the service
- Able to follow food safety program requirements and maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety, with awareness of food allergies, intolerances, and anaphylaxis management
- Culinary qualifications are desirable, but not essential
- Current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma certifications are encouraged (at own cost).
Essential Criteria:
- Valid Blue Card (or a willingness to obtain)*
- Demonstrated understanding of contemporary child safe practices, including child safeguarding responsibilities (or a willingness to develop this knowledge)
- Available for permanent part-time work across Monday to Friday, 7am-2:30pm, with flexibility as required
- Considerable proven experience as a Chef or Cook in an Early Childhood setting (preferred) and/or within hospitality (may also be considered)
- Current Food Safety Supervisor training, with a certificate to be provided*
- Current food allergens training, with a certificate to be provided*
- Geccko child safety training, with a certificate to be provided, and open to to undertaking further child protection training as required*
*To be completed prior to your first working shift.
About Rise Early Learning
Rise Early Learning is a privately-owned and operated Early Childhood Education and Care provider catering for children from birth to six years. We have used our combined personal and professional experience in the sector to design services which offer spaces for children,
families, and Educators to develop trusting relationships, and foster a sense of community.
Rise Early Learning and our staff are also deeply committed to ensuring and promoting the safety,
well-being and inclusion of all children entrusted to our care.
Why Join Our Rise Family?
At Rise, we honour childhood by providing an education and care program that supports the learning of each child. What you can expect:
- Competitive remuneration, inclusive of the Workers Retention Payment
- Stunning environments and natural resources embedding beautiful practice, education and care for each child’s unique learning journey
- Access to a range of benefits to encourage your professional fulfilment and growth
- Exclusive childcare fee discount at Rise Early Learning to facilitate your return to work and know your family is close by
- Free Employee Well-being & Assistance Program to enhance your well-being
- Working arrangements that promote a positive work-life balance on offer
- Extensive Professional Development combined with in-house training, coaching and mentoring within work hours as well as team building exercises and social gatherings
- Strong focus on driving a positive and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice
- Access to the Rise Early Learning network which spans across multiple centres throughout QLD and NSW (and growing!)
- Owners and major stakeholders that care, are approachable, and involved in every aspect of the business.
How to Apply
Submit your resume along with a cover letter addressing the selection criteria above. Alternatively, you may wish to contact our friendly Recruitment team on (02) 7229 5975 via Ext. 1004. Tell us about yourself and your career – we want to know what makes you a perfect fit for this role as well as our Surfers Paradise service.
Applicants who progress will be required to provide a minimum of two professional referees.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Please note there are currently multiple opportunities to suit your individual needs and we are open
to considering qualified and suitable candidates for all available positions. Rise Early Learning is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Please also note we are unable to support with Visa sponsorship at this time. We appreciate your understanding and respect.
