About the role

Charley's Place is seeking a skilled and passionate Centre Cook to join our team in Toowoomba, QLD. This is a part-time position offering a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children through providing nutritious, delicious and engaging meals in our childcare and outside school hours care facility.

As Centre Cook, you will be responsible for planning, preparing and serving meals that meet the highest standards of nutrition, food safety and quality. Your culinary skills and dedication to child nutrition will play a vital role in supporting the health, development and wellbeing of the children in our care.

Key responsibilities

1. Planning and preparing nutritious meals and snacks that comply with dietary guidelines and cater to individual children's needs and allergies

2. Maintaining a clean, hygienic and safe kitchen environment in compliance with food safety regulations and standards

3. Managing kitchen equipment, inventory and supplies, including ordering and stock rotation

4. Preparing meals that are engaging, age-appropriate and encourage healthy eating habits amongst children

5. Communicating with educators and families regarding dietary requirements, allergies and food preferences

6. Following recipes and meal plans whilst demonstrating creativity in food presentation and menu variety

7. Maintaining detailed records of meals, ingredients and any dietary or allergy information as required

8. Supporting the childcare team in delivering quality care and education experiences for all children

What we're looking for

1. A relevant qualification in food preparation, commercial cookery or hospitality (or equivalent experience) and also qualifications in Early Childhood preferred

2. Demonstrated experience working in a food service or catering environment, ideally within an educational or childcare setting

3. Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene practices and health regulations relevant to childcare facilities

4. Understanding of nutritional requirements for children of varying ages and ability to prepare balanced, healthy meals

5. Excellent organisational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple meal preparations simultaneously

6. A genuine passion for working with children and commitment to their health and wellbeing

7. Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with educators and families

8. Current Working with Children Check

9. Food Safety Supervisor certification or equivalent (desirable)

What we offer

At Charley's Place, we are committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive and positive workplace culture. We value our team members and offer:

1. The opportunity to work in a dynamic, child-centred environment where your contributions make a real difference

2. A collaborative team that values professional development and continuous learning

3. Flexible part-time hours to support work-life balance

4. A supportive workplace that promotes the wellbeing of all staff

5. Opportunities for professional growth and skill development within the childcare sector

6. Access to staff benefits and support programs

About us

Charley’s Place Bernoth is opening its doors in the next few weeks, and we are excited to build a passionate, dedicated team who are ready to inspire young minds and help shape a beautiful new learning community from day one.

At Charley’s Place, we believe educators deserve to feel valued, supported, and celebrated. Our purpose-built centre has been thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection — for children and educators.

About Us:
At Charley's Place, everything we do is guided by our core values:
Play – Inspiring curiosity, imagination, and joyful learning
Education – Providing high-quality, child-centred programs
Success – Supporting every child and educator to reach their full potential

Apply now

Ready to join the Charley's Place Bernoth team? Submit your application today, including your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience in food preparation and your passion for working within childcare. We look forward to hearing from you!