Child Care Cook
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until 24 November 2026
Position Classification: Cook Gde B
Remuneration: 65902.06 full-time equivalent base salary range (+12% super + 17.5% leave loading and salary packaging)
Hours Per Week: 25 (8:00am – 1:00pm, Monday to Friday)
Requisition ID: REQ679405
Location: Westmead
Applications Close: Midnight on 2 August 2026
For role related queries or questions contact Suzanne Dearling on Suzanne.Dearling@health.nsw.gov.au
At the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, every role helps children and young people live their healthiest lives.
As the largest paediatric health service in Australia, we care for thousands of children each year, in hospital and at home. Our people are united by compassion, collaboration and excellence in care.
Child Care Centre Cook – Home-Style Cooking
Can you cook a delicious Spaghetti Bolognese, creamy Tuna Mornay or a hearty Meatloaf with mashed potato and steamed vegetables from scratch for 40 hungry children?
Are you looking for a role that lets you do what you love while enjoying a fantastic work-life balance?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
About Us
We are a warm, welcoming childcare centre where nutritious, home-style meals are an important part of every child's day. We're looking for a caring, reliable cook who enjoys preparing wholesome food in a nurturing environment.
About the Role
You'll prepare fresh, healthy meals and snacks each day for approximately 40 children aged 0–5 years. Your cooking will help children develop healthy eating habits while making mealtimes enjoyable and comforting.
What you'll be doing
- With the assistance of the Director, Hospital Dieticians and other staff, prepare a six (6) week rotator menu (including snacks) for spring/summer and autumn/winter
- Managing meal preparation and kitchen duties
- The food must be attractive and nutritious and have a balance of food groups, consistent with Dietary Guidelines
- Individual children’s diets must be catered for
- To display the menu to parents and staff
- To organise orders for bulk buying, weekly and daily shopping for fresh food, within the budget limits
- Check accuracy of food deliveries made to the centre
- To rotate stock in the pantry
- To prepare morning and afternoon teas and lunch, breakfast if needed and all other meals as required
- Assist other staff with serving and clearing away all meals
- Wash up after meals
- To clean all surfaces in the kitchen, ensuring that a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained according to the Kitchen Cleaning Schedule
- To ensure that all appliances, equipment and cleaning items are kept out of reach of children or locked up and to be responsible for safety in the kitchen environment
- To maintain routine cleaning of all kitchen appliances
- To prepare food for cooking activities with children, when requested
- To meet all National Quality Standards
To be actively involved in the Munch and Move program
What We're Looking For
You'll be someone who:
- Has experience preparing home-style meals for families or large groups.
- Enjoys cooking from scratch using fresh ingredients.
- Is able to follow a recipe
- Loves contributing to a caring environment for young children.
- Can prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks.
- Understands food safety, hygiene and allergy management.
Is organised, dependable and able to work independently.
Your Responsibilities
- Prepare fresh morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for approximately 40 children.
- Cater for individual dietary requirements and food allergies.
- Maintain a clean, organised kitchen and comply with food safety standards.
- Assist with planning healthy, seasonal menus.
- Help create a warm, welcoming and home-like atmosphere within our centre.
Why You'll Love Working With Us
- Family-friendly hours: 8:00am to 1:00pm, Monday to Friday.
- No evening, weekend or public holiday work.
- Friendly, supportive and welcoming team.
- Salary packaging available to increase your take-home pay.
- Professional development opportunities.
- The opportunity to make a real difference in children's lives every day through healthy, home-cooked meals.
If you're passionate about cooking, enjoy preparing wholesome meals from scratch and would love to be part of a caring childcare community, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us create happy, healthy mealtimes for our little learners.
Child Safe Standards:
SCHN is committed to maintaining a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, in line with NSW Health’s commitment to the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
Additional Information:
SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, recognising that a diverse workforce strengthens our culture and enhances the care we provide to children, young people and their families.
Permanent NSW Health roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Temporary visa holders may be considered where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is identified.
NSW Health vaccination and screening requirements must be met prior to commencement.
This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
Where required, overseas qualifications must be formally assessed by the Department of Education or relevant authority for recognition in Australia.
An Eligibility List may be created for future temporary part time vacancies.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. We recognise the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families. For application support, visit the NSW Health Aboriginal Recruitment tool, Stepping Up to assist in preparing your application, or contact the SCHN’s Aboriginal Workforce Consultant at SCHN-EA-AboriginalHealthDirectorate@health.nsw.gov.au
For technical support please contact 1300 679 367
